A little anecdotal confirmation of hybrids' efficacy: It must be 10 years ago that we needed a new car, and made a decision based on reliability and fuel economy as well as cash-affordability (we only once, in about 2008, borrowed for a [used, high mpg ICE] car, which paid for itself in fuel savings over about six months). We bought a used 2007 Prius hybrid, battery had recently been replaced. We couldn't find any comparable American brand cars, and we still get just over 48 mpg. Sorry, but American automakers have for years been making stupid strategic decisions. US government policy toward car manufacturing has long been equally foolish.
Thanks, Al! In a world where it is difficult to distinguish the truth from sensationalism or biased reporting, it is very refreshing to read your balanced, researched, and fact-based statements. You are what I always thought journalism and news reporting ought to be.
It helps, of course, that I know you and trust in your integrity to report and not mislead.
On the topic of EV vs hybrid vs ICE, we've talked before about my Prius and my choice to buy hybrid. In the end, the all-in operational cost of a hybrid over an ICE was - for me, at least - pretty much even. The operating cost of the hybrid was less than the ICE, but there would eventually be a battery replacement cost, which would essentially even out the balance sheet. In the end, I traded in the hybrid after about 5 years and bought a gas-powered pickup truck. Someone else will have to pay the battery replacement cost in another five or so years when it's needed, so I think I came out ahead.
Thanks for the kind words, Maurice. Good to hear from you, and your calculations on hybrids vs ICE are very interesting.
To hear you tell it, I should have been a journalist, but I always wish I'd taken engineering instead of pure math and physics, or my passion for forestry, but Bev says she wishes I'd been a college professor. How did I ever get into real estate sales or investing?
Thank you. I had trouble getting specific facts on local EV fires because our fire dept. officials are so busy fighting forest fires that they really didn't have time to talk to me right now. Will post the figures when I can get them. Oregon (and CA and WA and Canada?) haven't had enough rain in the past 6 or 7 weeks to help the firefighters, and 'heat' lightning (lightning without rain) is causing a lot of fires. That's not unusual out here - one of the worst fires was in 1910 up in WA and Idaho.
Yes, that will work for folks that own their home and aren't just renting an apartment. But if I had to choose, I'd choose the hybrid. The plug in version has a much bigger battery, so it's quite a bit more expensive, both initially and when it's time to replace the battery. Plus the way electric rates are going up, and I expect it's only the beginning, eventually there might not be any savings compared to gas.
We got the 2024 Ford Escape PHEV. Last year manufactured. Loving it so far. Our home east of Bend is on solar/wind/propane generator. It can be charged when arriving from Portland. Saves a bunch for that trip.
A little anecdotal confirmation of hybrids' efficacy: It must be 10 years ago that we needed a new car, and made a decision based on reliability and fuel economy as well as cash-affordability (we only once, in about 2008, borrowed for a [used, high mpg ICE] car, which paid for itself in fuel savings over about six months). We bought a used 2007 Prius hybrid, battery had recently been replaced. We couldn't find any comparable American brand cars, and we still get just over 48 mpg. Sorry, but American automakers have for years been making stupid strategic decisions. US government policy toward car manufacturing has long been equally foolish.
Thanks for the comment, David. The Toyota Prius hybrid has a very good reputation.
Thanks, Al! In a world where it is difficult to distinguish the truth from sensationalism or biased reporting, it is very refreshing to read your balanced, researched, and fact-based statements. You are what I always thought journalism and news reporting ought to be.
It helps, of course, that I know you and trust in your integrity to report and not mislead.
On the topic of EV vs hybrid vs ICE, we've talked before about my Prius and my choice to buy hybrid. In the end, the all-in operational cost of a hybrid over an ICE was - for me, at least - pretty much even. The operating cost of the hybrid was less than the ICE, but there would eventually be a battery replacement cost, which would essentially even out the balance sheet. In the end, I traded in the hybrid after about 5 years and bought a gas-powered pickup truck. Someone else will have to pay the battery replacement cost in another five or so years when it's needed, so I think I came out ahead.
Thanks for the kind words, Maurice. Good to hear from you, and your calculations on hybrids vs ICE are very interesting.
To hear you tell it, I should have been a journalist, but I always wish I'd taken engineering instead of pure math and physics, or my passion for forestry, but Bev says she wishes I'd been a college professor. How did I ever get into real estate sales or investing?
Seems like you have opportunities to be good at something every which way you turn. My regards to Bev, I hope you're both doing well.
Thanks, and say Hi to Sue.
Very good information!
Thank you. I had trouble getting specific facts on local EV fires because our fire dept. officials are so busy fighting forest fires that they really didn't have time to talk to me right now. Will post the figures when I can get them. Oregon (and CA and WA and Canada?) haven't had enough rain in the past 6 or 7 weeks to help the firefighters, and 'heat' lightning (lightning without rain) is causing a lot of fires. That's not unusual out here - one of the worst fires was in 1910 up in WA and Idaho.
PHEV is the way to go. Plug it in at home.
Yes, that will work for folks that own their home and aren't just renting an apartment. But if I had to choose, I'd choose the hybrid. The plug in version has a much bigger battery, so it's quite a bit more expensive, both initially and when it's time to replace the battery. Plus the way electric rates are going up, and I expect it's only the beginning, eventually there might not be any savings compared to gas.
We got the 2024 Ford Escape PHEV. Last year manufactured. Loving it so far. Our home east of Bend is on solar/wind/propane generator. It can be charged when arriving from Portland. Saves a bunch for that trip.