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) 295@5,200 rpm
18/21
$29,190
Automatic(4WD) 295@5,200 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
19
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) 325@2,900 rpm
17
Automatic(4WD) 325@2,900 rpm
17
NA
Original vehicle vs. hybrid
vehicles produced
average MPG
gallons of gas saved
2004 Ram 436,375
14
2005 Ram hybrid 100
17
18,900
If all 2004 Rams were 2005 Ram hybrid 436,375
3
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;600ft.-lb@1,4000 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) 133@6,000 rpm
37/30
$26,300
Automatic(AWD) 133@6,000 rpm
37/30
$26,300
Original vehicle vs. hybrid
vehicles produced
average MPG
gallons of gas saved
2004 Escape 192,231
24
2005 Escape hybrid 20,000
32
3,120,000
If all 2004 Escapes were 2005 Escape hybrids 192,231
8
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) 295@2,500 rpm
18/21
$30,835
Automatic(4WD) 295@2,500 rpm
17/19
$34,200
Original vehicle vs. hybrid
vehicles produced
average MPG
gallons of gas saved
2004 Sierra 206,021
17
2005 Sierra hybrid 2,500
19
232,500
If all 2004 Sierras were 2005 Sierra hybrids 206,021
2
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)
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.
Honda Accord Hybrid (2005)
Horsepower

MPG

(city/hwy)

Price

(MSRP)
Automatic
255@6,000rpm
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
33
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
93@5,700rpm
48/47
$20,800
5-speed
93@5,700
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
12
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
81@5,700rpm
57/56
$21,300
5-speed
81@5,700
60/66
$20,300
Original vehicle vs. hybrid
vehicles produced
average MPG
gallons of gas saved
2004 Insights 720
60
2005 Insight hybrid 1,000
60
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
22
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
NA
Original vehicle vs. hybrid
vehicles produced
average MPG
gallons of gas saved
2004 Highlander 120,174
23
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
76@4,700 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.
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  • * 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.