Some cities question costs of hybrid cars

The AP is reporting that some cities are questioning the costs of hybrid cars.

"That's what we're finding with the initial cost ... it doesn't wash out," he said. "You're actually paying more money." said James Muller Philadelphia's fleet manager.

Philadelphia's hybrid fleet of 20 Ford Escape hybrids and 6 Toyota Prius hybrids; however, was bought primarily to improve air quality. Of course since hybrids cost more up front, it takes years to recover the costs. Yet, the benefit of improved air quality isn't added to the value of the car - at least not in financial terms.

So how much does dirty air cost? According to numerous health studies quite a lot - well into the billions.

Thus, in New York, "which had bought more than 830 hybrids as of 2004, the vehicles make sense because the city now requires the purchase of the cleanest vehicle available, said Mark Simon, director of alternative fuel programs."

Additionally, if money is a concern, one has to question the way cities like Philadelphia, for example, are spending their money. Do they really need an SUV, or would a vehicle like the Prius have made more sense? Obviously, the Prius is far cheaper than a SUV and would offer the greatest fuel economy in an urban environment like Philadelphia.

Perhaps the functionality of an SUV was required, but in terms of just carrying passengers, the Escape hybrid isn't going to offer any more seating than the Prius. Just changing Philadelphia's ratio of Prii to Escape hybrids could have saved 10's of thousands of dollars.