The most cost-effective plug-in hybrid: Chevy Volt versus Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid
Plug-in hybrids: All about the Benjamins
All about driving needs and tax credits
As the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid heads to market and the Chevy Volt continues to ramp up production, these two plug-in hybrids will begin to face ever greater competition. But is one of these plug-in hybrids obviously better than the other?
More important, is one of these plug-in hybrids more cost-effective than the other? New research suggests that the answer to this cost-effective question isn’t always a simple one. For more, check out Cost-Effectiveness: Chevy Volt versus Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid.
Or just add your own thoughts in the comments below.
I would prefer to compare the Plug-in Prius and Volt cost effectiveness to regular ICE vehicles than to each other. Then you can better justify the higher cost. If you did, you would find that the ownership cost of both vehicles is similar to a $25K ICE vehicle that gets 25 MPG.
$25K ownership cost is an important number considering many folks say they would only be willing to pay $25K for a Volt or Plug-in Prius.
But…..
Lost in this conversation are all the positive reviews the Chevy Volt is getting from car magazines. These “car guys” are impressed with how the Volt “drives”, regardless of fuel efficiency. These guys really like the 273 lbs of torque of the electric drive train at all RPM’s
Even Top Gear (Yes. The same guys being sued by Tesla) and Torque News gave the Chevy Volt high marks on driving and performance.
The Chevy Volt definitely drives better than all of the “eco-boxes” that everyone is comparing it to for cost effectiveness, including the Plug-in Prius. I certainly like driving it much more than my Civic Hybrid….