Well its not Memorial Day yet, but it seems that gasoline prices fell 1 cent last week ending the 12 consecutive weeks of increasing prices. I wrote earlier this week that they predict a $4 a gallon price on gas this summer. Since it was only a 1 cent fall i am still sticking with my $4 a gallon guess.
I know this summer is going to ruin our economic if gas hits prices that high, but what about the buzz of going green? I recently read an article about how its not easy selling green. How can this be? Maybe the return on investment is too low for the average Joe to buy a hybrid. The average Job may not want to go green to be green, but to go green financially and concisely. I know there was a high demand with hybrid cars along with their HOV passes in California, but there is could be less return on a hybrid due to degrading batteries.
Soon to be released hybrids have been becoming more expensive rather then economies of scale bring the price down. Most of this is due to emerging technology in building these hybrids, but the problem still is the cost! Hybrid Technologies is planning to release a consumer friendly electric mini, but for $59,000 USD. Thats a full 40k more then the base Mini and takes 5 hours to charge. I think they are taking 2 steps forwards and 1 step back with this idea because there are other companies that will convert your car to a hybrid for $10,000 to $15,000. Granted this may not be a perfect apples to apples comparison due to various types of batteries and warranty, but come on this would still be a $25,000 difference.
John Murch says 1st May @ 12:43
I also wanted to add that this weekend a friend stopped by a Toyota dealership and found that a nicely loaded prius is only $29,000!!!
Depending on where or if I relocate, I would totally consider picking up a prius. Especially since gas is planning to reach $4/gallon, yuck!