BCT Editorial – 8/28/05

This page was last updated on August 31, 2005.

Buy hybrid; Editorial; Beaver County Times; August 28, 2005.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“The state is doing its part to advance the use of gas saving hybrid cars.

“It could be doing more, though, if not for a buy-American rule that limits its purchasing options.

“Last week, the administration of Gov. Ed Rendell announced it will increase the number of gas-electric hybrids in the state fleet as a way to save money and cut down on pollution.

“The state now has five hybrids, all Ford Escapes, in its 16,000-vehicle fleet. Officials say they would increase the state’s number of hybrids to a minimum of 75 by 2010. By 2011, one of every four vehicles it buys will be a hybrid.

“The state could be doing more. However, the buy American restriction means a supply already made tight by demand has been made unnaturally tighter. Lifting this restriction would open up the market the state can tap for hybrid vehicles. It also would send a message to Detroit’s Big Three automakers, which have had hybrid vehicles on the back burner for years.

“Instead of twisting the market to buy American, the state should buy hybrid wherever it can.”

[RWC] While the editorial claims hybrids will “save money,” you’ll note it provided no evidence to support the claim. Here’s why.

I checked the base price of the 2006 Ford Escape. The hybrid version costs approximately $7,000 more than a non-hybrid version. Assuming a 36,000-mile life and gasoline at $3.00 per gallon, the amount of fuel saved by the hybrid would be about $1,908. Therefore, at 36,000 miles, the hybrid still costs over $5,000 more than the non-hybrid. The vehicle’s life would need to be over 130,000 miles to break even. I don’t know how long the state keeps its vehicles, but I doubt it’s anywhere near 130,000 miles. At $5.00 per gallon, the breakeven point would be about 80,000 miles.

I like hybrids, but we need to be honest about their true cost.