If the world is in as much trouble as environmentalists state it is, then why do car manufacturers charge so much for a hybrid vehicle?
Regular blue collar workers can't afford the average vehicle let alone a hybrid one.
So why are they so expensive?
Here is a list of known hybrids in the world:
* Towns Microdot
[edit] 1980s
* 1986 The Twike HEHV designed by a group of Swiss students debuted at the World expo in Vancouver, Canada. It remains in limited production and available in the USA (source: Neiman Marcus Christmas Book 2007, page 89).
* 1986 The Goldwing engine-based Gaselle hybrid gas/electric prototype built by Sarabjit Gandhi drove 8050 km in 16 days as part of the World Energy Autocross.
* 1989 Audi 100 Duo aka or Audi 100 Avant Duo experimental vehicle, a plug-in parallel hybrid based on the Audi 100 Avant quattro. No more than 10 were produced.
[edit] 1990s
* 1991 Audi 100 Duo second generation, now with four-wheel-drive.
* 1996 AC Propulsion tzero (electric vehicle + steering-integrated genset trailer; 80 mile PbA, 300 mile Li-ion(2003) EV-mode)
* 1997 Toyota Prius (Japanese market only)
* 1997 Audi A4 Duo (a concept vehicle)
* 1999 Honda Insight
[edit] 2000s
[edit] 2000
* 2000 Toyota Estima hybrid (Japanese market only)
* 2000 Toyota Prius US market
[edit] 2002
* 2002? Mazda Demio e-4WD (Japanese market only, used for traction assistance)
* 2002 Dyna Diesel Hybrid (Japan only, Diesel Hybrid)
* 2002 Honda Civic Hybrid 2003 model
[edit] 2003
* Renault Kangoo (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle)
* Suzuki Twin
* Toyota Alphard Hybrid
* Toyota Prius (5 seat midsize) 2004 model year, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive 1,000,000 sold (as of May 15, 2008)
[edit] 2004
* Honda Accord Hybrid 2005 model
* Ford Escape Hybrid 2005 model (released in late summer 2004)
[edit] 2005
* Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid 2006 model, Mild hybrid
* Honda Civic Hybrid 2006 model, second generation
* Lexus RX 400h 2006 model year, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive
* Mercury Mariner hybrid
* Toyota Kluger/Highlander Hybrid 2006 model
[edit] 2006
* Lexus GS 450h 2007 model, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive
* Saturn Vue Green Line 2007 model, Mild hybrid
* Toyota Camry Hybrid 2007 model, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive
* Toyota Estima/Previa hybrid minivan, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive (Japanese market only)
[edit] 2007
* BMW 1 Series small family car, first in the world with standard mild hybrid technology, Auto Start Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, electric power steering, electric water pump[3][4]
* Lexus LS600hL 2008 model Luxury car, went on sale in June
* Mazda Tribute hybrid, 2008 model, expected to go on sale July 2007
* Nissan Altima Hybrid (limited sales)
* Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid (BAS) 2008 model, Mild hybrid
* Toyota Kluger/Highlander Hybrid 2008 model, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive, will go on sale October 2007[5]
[edit] 2008
* Cadillac Escalade (AHS II) 2009 model
* Chevrolet Malibu (midsize car) Mild hybrid
* Chevrolet Tahoe (AHS II) (SUV, RWD/AWD) 2008 model
* Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid (AHS II) (fullsize pickup) 2009 model
* Dodge Durango (AHS II) (SUV) 2009 model, expected to go on sale Fall 2008
* GMC Sierra Hybrid (AHS II) (fullsize pickup) 2009 model
* GMC Yukon Hybrid (AHS II) (SUV, RWD/AWD) 2008 model
* Roewe 750 (midsize car) First Chinese hybrid car
* Saturn Vue Green Line (AHS II) (SUV, FWD) 2009 model, 45% improvement over non-hybrid version according to GM[6]
* Saturn AURA Green Line Mild hybrid (midsize car) 2008 model
* BYD F3DM Plug-in hybrid
Source: Wikipedia.
An article from June '08 gives a basic idea of how much hybrids cost to purchase.
Is Buying a Hybrid Vehicle Money Well-spent? BCAA Cost Analysis
So why are they so expensive?
Yahoo answers has many replies to that question:
Why do hybrid cars & other gas efficient cars cost way to much for the people who actually need them.? - Yahoo! Answers
So, here's a burning question:
Why can't the auto manufacturers build more hybrids than gas guzzling vehicles? If the technology is used more often, wouldn't the prices come down?
Any other opinions?
