Hybrids versus conventional cars in 2005

hybrids and non-hybrids

How many hybrids are available for 2005? Do they get better mileage, how much do they cost? Any deals/incentives on them? How much gas would we save annually if the counterpart non-hybrid vehicles were all hybrids?

Deciding to purchase a hybrid vehicle (HEV) doesn’t have to mean giving up practicality, even if you need the use of a truck.

152,600 hybrids will be produced in 2005, saving 22,576,900 gallons of gas next year. If the gasoline counterpart to these ten vehicles ( total of 2,849,566 vehicles) were all hybrids we would save 431,132,393 gallons of gas annually. According to the EIA, the last number is just a little more than what we use every day in gas for transportation.

Besides saving gas and money, you also get a tax rebate on some of these hybrids; in some states, you can drive in the carpool lane and in California, you are exempt from smog checks until 2010.

2005 Hybrids

Chevy Silverado LS extended cab 6′ bed Hybrid (2005)

Horsepower

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)

Automatic(2WD)

[email protected],200 rpm

18/21

$29,190

Automatic(4WD)

[email protected],200 rpm

17/19

$33,155

Original vehicle vs. hybrid

vehicles produced

average MPG

gallons of gas saved

2004 Silverado

674,856

15.7

2005 Silverado hybrid

2,500

249,000

If all 2004 Silverados were 2005 Silverado hybrid

674,856

3.3

60,980,963

Full-size pickup truck – certified mild-hybrid SULEV

10-12 percent better gas mileage than the non-hybrid version

Two 120-volt, 20 amp (2,400 watt) electrical auxiliary power outlets are found under the rear bench seat and two in the pickup bed. In case of a blackout, it can be used for up to 32 hours on one tank of gas.

2,500 being produced, sold only in California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Florida, and Alaska. (Lead-acid battery starts in 30 degrees below zero weather)

General Motors is the only company giving a discount on hybrids. The discount is $1,000. The Federal Government tax rebate does not apply to this mild-hybrid so General Motors will offset the extra expense with their own discount.

Dodge Ram Pickup (2005)

Horsepower

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)

Automatic(2WD)

[email protected],900 rpm

Automatic(4WD)

[email protected],900 rpm

Original vehicle vs. hybrid

vehicles produced

average MPG

gallons of gas saved

2004 Ram

436,375

2005 Ram hybrid

100

18,900

If all 2004 Rams were 2005 Ram hybrid

436,375

82,474,875

Initially, targeting fleet customers, not individuals

Full-size pickup truck – certified mild hybrid

First diesel hybrid pickup with MPG certified by EPA. torque;[email protected],4000 rpm

10% better miles per gallon than the non-hybrid version

diesel gets 15% better miles per gallon than gas – one tank of diesel will run volts much longer than one tank of gas

get both 120 and 240 volt; hybrid component acts as a generator onboard – uses the same technology as the alternator, spinning creating electricity – larger produces DC electricity

Not sure of tax incentive

Ford Escape Hybrid (2005)

Horsepower

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)

Automatic(FWD)

[email protected],000 rpm

37/30

$26,300

Automatic(AWD)

[email protected],000 rpm

37/30

$26,300

Original vehicle vs. hybrid

vehicles produced

average MPG

gallons of gas saved

2004 Escape

192,231

2005 Escape hybrid

20,000

3,120,000

If all 2004 Escapes were 2005 Escape hybrids

192,231

29,988,036

Mid-size Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) – certified full hybrid ATPZEV

The hybrid will come in front-wheel and all-wheel drive. Prices are $3,300 above comparably equipped standard Escapes.

Switching to “max” air conditioning keeps a/c on, even at stop signs, though the mpg will decrease.

The Escape is the number one selling SUV in its segment. Ford will build 20,000 of the hybrid version in the 2005 model year.

Federal Government will give a tax rebate to offset extra expenses. This incentive ends in 2006.

GMC Sierra SLE extended cab 6′ bed Hybrid (2005)

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)

Automatic(2WD)

[email protected],500 rpm

18/21

$30,835

Automatic(4WD)

[email protected],500 rpm

17/19

$34,200

Original vehicle vs. hybrid

vehicles produced

average MPG

gallons of gas saved

2004 Sierra

206,021

2005 Sierra hybrid

2,500

232,500

If all 2004 Sierras were 2005 Sierra hybrids

206,021

19,159,953

Full-size pickup truck – certified mild hybrid SULEV

10-12 percent better gas mileage than the non-hybrid version

Two 120-volt, 20 amp (2,400 watts) electrical auxiliary power outlets are found under the rear bench seat and two in the pickup bed. In case of a blackout, it can be used for up to 32 hours on one tank of gas.

Sold only in California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Florida, and Alaska. (Lead-acid battery starts in 30 degrees below zero weather)

Honda Accord Hybrid (2005)

Horsepower

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)

Automatic

[email protected],000rpm

29/37

$30,000

Original vehicle vs. hybrid

vehicles produced

average MPG

gallons of gas saved

2004 Accords

390,000

29.5

2005 Accord hybrid

20,000

1,060,000

If all 2004 Accords were 2005 Accord hybrids

390,000

3.5

20,670,000

5 passenger sedan – not yet certified

Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system.
IMA includes a conventional gasoline engine combined with an electric motor that recharges during routine driving, supplying power when needed, similar to a supercharger.

Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. VCM selectively deactivates cylinders to improve fuel economy.

Hybrid Accord will cost about $2,500 more than the original Accord. Federal Government will give a tax rebate to offset extra expenses. This incentive ends in 2006.

Honda Civic Hybrid (2005)

Horsepower

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)

Automatic

[email protected],700rpm

48/47

$20,800

5-speed

[email protected],700

46/51

$19,800

Original vehicle vs. hybrid

vehicles produced

average MPG

gallons of gas saved

2004 Civics

291,600

34.5

2005 Civic hybrid

22,000

46.5

2,464,000

If all 2004 Civics were 2005 Civic hybrids

291,600

32,659,200

5 passenger sedan – certified full hybrid ATPZEV

The first hybrid version of an established car model

40% better gas mileage than conventional Civic Sedan

Federal Government will give $1,500 to offset extra expenses. This incentive ends in 2006.

Honda Insight Hybrid (2005)

Horsepower

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)

Automatic

[email protected],700rpm

57/56

$21,300

5-speed

[email protected],700

60/66

$20,300

Original vehicle vs. hybrid

vehicles produced

average MPG

gallons of gas saved

2004 Insights

720

2005 Insight hybrid

1,000

250,000

Two Seater – certified hybrid ULEV, 5-speed;SULEV2 – CVT Automatic.

First hybrid sold in the U.S. (introduced 2000 model year)

Best gas mileage (manual transmission) of the three hybrids

Federal Government will give $1,500 to offset extra expenses. This incentive ends in 2006.

Lexus RX400 SUV Hybrid (2005)

Horsepower

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)

Automatic

270

27.6

$54,000ish

Original vehicle vs. hybrid

vehicles produced

average MPG

gallons of gas saved

2004 RX330

102,265

2005 RX400h hybrid

25,000

27.6

3,475,000

If all 2004 RX330s were 2005 RX400h hybrids

102,265

5.6

14,214,835

5-door Sport Utility Vehicle unibody AWD

Same engine as the RX330 – a 3.3 V-6; also used in Toyota Highlander

0-60 in 8 seconds

The world’s first luxury hybrid SUV

Federal Government will give a tax rebate to offset extra expenses. This incentive ends in 2006.

Toyota Highlander (2005)

Horsepower

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)

Automatic

270

27.6

Original vehicle vs. hybrid

vehicles produced

average MPG

gallons of gas saved

2004 Highlander

120,174

2005 Highlander hybrid

22,000

27.5

2,354,000

If all 2004 Highlanders were 2005 Highlander hybrids

120,174

4.5

12,858,618

Full-size Sport Utility Vehicle – certified full hybrid SULEV

Includes three rows of seats, enough to seat 8

0-60 in less than 8 seconds

Federal Government will give tax rebates to offset extra expenses. This incentive ends in 2006.

Toyota Prius (2005)

Horsepower

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)

Automatic

[email protected],700 rpm

60/51

$20,875

Original vehicle vs. hybrid

vehicles produced

average MPG

gallons of gas saved

2004 Camry (most similar)

436,044

26.4

2005 Prius hybrid

37,500

55.5

9,187,500

If all 2004 Camrys were 2005 Prius hybrids

436,044

29.1

106,830,780

5 passenger sedan (Midsize passenger car) – certified full hybrid ATPZEV

First mass-produced hybrid in the world. Toyota will increase production to 15,000 units a month.

0-60 in 10.1 seconds

Federal Government will give tax rebates to offset extra expenses. This incentive ends in 2006.

******************************************************

* mild hybrids are not considered quite as efficient as full hybrid systems, as the gasoline engine needs to be running unless the car is coasting. Full-hybrid systems can drive on electric power alone until the sensor calls on the internal combustion engine or the batteries need recharging at which time the gasoline engine restarts.
**Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV)- Because of technology on the car, the air that comes out of the car is cleaner than the air going in. ATPZEV is an advanced technology, which is a hybrid. Only hybrids can be ZTPZEV, but some vehicles, such as the Ford Focus, can be PZEV. ULEV is not as stringent a requirement as PZEV and emit’s more gases.
The current incentive is scheduled to phase out in 2004-06. Vehicles purchased in 2004 will be eligible for a deduction of up to $1,500; vehicles purchased in 2005 will be eligible for up to $1,000; vehicles purchased in 2006 will be eligible for up to $500.
Important: Congress is currently considering legislation that may alter the tax incentives for hybrid vehicles. We will provide additional information if the incentives change. Whether you itemize or take the standard deduction, you can still claim the clean-fuel tax deduction. Unless the vehicle is purchased solely for business use, you simply include the deduction on line 32 of your 1040 tax form in the “Adjusted Gross Income” section. Enter the amount of the deduction and the words “Clean Fuel” on the dotted line next to line 32.

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Lou Ann Hammond

Lou Ann Hammond is the CEO of Carlist and Driving the Nation. She is the co-host of Real Wheels Washington Post carchat every Friday morning and is the Automotive, energy correspondent for The John Batchelor Show and a Contributor to Automotive Electronics magazine headquartered in Korea. Hammond is a founding member of the Women's World Car of the Year #WWCOTY, and board member of the Women in Automotive.