Hybrid Debate Revs Up

Peter Fairley's article was over-enthusiastic about the economic value of hybrid cars ("Hybrids' Rising Sun," TR April 2004). He claims that switching to a hybrid car would save, on average, $5,000. This assumes, however, that the conventional car gets only 24 miles per gallon and that an owner would keep the same car for 15 years. But most Americans keep a car much less than that, and many gas-engine cars get more than 24 miles per gallon. The Toyota Corolla, which is about the same size as the Prius and has better performance, is priced $6,000 lower and consumes only about $400 per year more in fuel. You'd have to own a Prius for 15 years to break even. After a typical three- to four-year ownership, the Prius owner would still be deep in the hole compared to the Corolla owner.

Chris Bell
Washington, DC