Story Published:
May 13, 2008 at 9:00 AM MDT
Story Updated:
Nov 20, 2008 at 8:44 PM MDT
We always hear about how hybrid cars can save both the environment and gas, but how long will it take for the drivers of the cars to see the savings in their wallets?
You're taking a look ot the future of gas. That's right, just a hair under 4 dollars a gallon in Saint Anthony. Scary, isn't it? One way to combat the prices is to get more out of your car. We've all heard how eco-friendly and gas saving hybrids are, but...
Jeff Gibbons, Salesperson-Toyota Teton: "At the same time, a lot of people want the economical savings cause we're all on a budget".
So how long does it take for a new hybrid car to actually save you money?
If you drive your car 15-thousand miles a year, at the current national average of gas 3.67, the Toyota Camry hybrid will start saving you money in just under 2-years. The smaller Prius hybrid will take about two and a half years to net a gain. And for the s.u.v. fans, the GMC-Yukon hybrid takes just under 5-years.
Gibbons: "You're going to have a savings...over time. Yes, you're going to pay a little bit more, but over time, you're going to have a savings in fuel because you're going to be getting, depending on how you drive, you're gonna get 38 in town or you're gonna get 40 on the highways".
However, not all hybrids make sense. According to USA Today, the Toyota Highlander will take just under 13-years to break even in gas savings versus the price of the car. the Saturn Aura, 24 years. And if you want to drive the 106 thousand dollar Lexus hybrid, you'll have to wait 102-years to see the savings.
