Car blogs

Union of Concerned Scientists Issues 'Hybrid Scorecard' to Chart Benefits Versus Costs


In brief:
Hybrid technology costs more but is usually worth the price in long-term fuel savings and environmental benefits.
Automakers too often try to conceal the hybrid technology premium under a layer of costly extra mandatory features.
The practice can make hybrids too expensive for many who would otherwise buy them.





By John O'Dell, Senior Editor


Hybrid powertrains are complex affairs that use two power sources, expensive advanced batteries and loads of computers, special power management software and high voltage wiring.


----------


Ford Fusion Hybrid gets high mark for environmental benefit from UCS, but technology premium and $4,000 in mandatory extra features boost price considerably.


----------




Thus, they cost more than conventional internal combustion gasoline engines, and most automakers pass on that extra cost - the reason a Honda Civic Hybrid  has a powertrain that costs an estimated $4,000.


But to make the so-called hybrid premium go down a bit easier, many car companies also load on other luxury features - upgraded entertainment and navigation systems, fancier upholstery, special wheels and tires - all things that raise the price even more with the aim of making make hybrid buyers feel like they are getting their money's worth by gilding the technological lily with nifty but unnecessary extras.


That Civic Hybrid may have a $4,000 technology premium, but it actually costs nearly $7,000 more than the standard Civic thanks to non-optional features that include a special security system and halogen headlights with blue-tinted chrome trim.  


We suspect most shoppers know about the so-called forced features and vote on the practice  with their checkbooks, shying away from hybrids they think are too pricey even if they do promise great fuel economy.


But it would be nice if automakers gave hybrid shoppers choices including bare-bones models whose extra cost covers the value of the hybrid technology and only that.


Hybrid Scorecard


The Union of Concerned Scientists thinks so too, arguing in a "Hybrid Scorecard" report issued this morning that loading hybrids with luxe features that jack the price up and can't be turned down pushes the top choices for fuel economy out of the reach of many.
Continue reading...

Tags: Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hybrid, Nissan, Toyota, Hybrid Price Premium, Hybrid Scorecard, Hybrids, UCS, Union of Concerned Scientists

---

'Forced Features' Unfairly Boosting Hybrid Prices Says Environmental Group was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.