Would you pay $50,000 for a 100 mpg plug-in Prius?
Toyota Prius about to be converted into a plug-in hybridWhat would you pay for a loaded plug-in Prius that could achieve 100 mpg? Would you pay as much as $50,000? $40,000? What's the magic number?
It seems hard to believe that the add-on costs for plug-in hybrid technology could break under $10,000 anytime soon without substantial government incentives. So, what's an extra 50 mpg worth?
More interesting, is the Prius even a good launching pad for plug-in technology if the price of the technology is so high? Other less efficient hybrid vehicles, such as the GMC Yukon hybrid or the Lexus RX400 h hybrid might be better fits until the technology costs can be reduced - a 60 mpg Yukon would be pretty impressive.
What are plug-in hybrid vehicles worth to you?
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles, lexus rx400h, plug-in hybrid vehicles, toyota prius, yukon hybrid
posted by Dahcredyns at
12:18 PM
3 Comments:
And send the $$$ to Japan!! No I will continue to drive and support my USA made auto...
Poor Ralph. Try and understand. GM is NOT USA made. Who doesn't already know GM outsources to Mexico, Canada, China, etc. Meanwhile, even as GM continues to shut down U.S. Plants, Toyota continues to build factories right here in the U.S.A. and hire U.S. workers. Where IS your loyalty man. No, you gotta support Toyota/Lexus as they're doing right by the U.S. with the highest mpg cars / suv's in existence, while GM et al continue to shaft the U.S. with gas guzzlin' land barges and factory shutdowns.
Now (back to the topic), as far at plug in hybrids go? Heck! There's ONE company here in California already that'll convert the Prius for just $4,900 so a factory version can easily be built for the same, and likely have a more powerful seconday battery system to boot!
i've run into felix cramer a few times, including at the last LA auto show, which included a big plug-in protest outside.
i know they stand by numbers like yours. in fact i've heard cramer claim that he believes it could be a $3000 difference if manufactured by toyota.
yet, i've talked to the guys at hybridsplus, for example, whom also do prius conversions, and they completely disagree.
they claim the real world price is more like 20,000, if you want to be able to guarantee the battery in all driving conditions for at least 10 years.
i'm not saying they are right, just that guaranteed reliability has not proven, particularly in terms of mass production.
so, i'd just caution that costs might not be as simple as some claim.
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