Study shows significant savings in alt-fuel cars

Eco-politics aside, there’s a real cash advantage to opting for hybrid and diesel vehicles over gas-powered offerings, despite the costlier price tag, according to a survey.

“The longtime knock against ‘green’ cars, trucks and SUVs is that their sticker prices do not justify the gas savings,” said James Bell, editor of automotive industry research Web site IntelliChoice.com, which conducted the study.

“The point we make is that it is not just about fuel,” he added in the release.
Of the 51 alternative-fuel cars and trucks tested, 35 delivered cash savings over a five-year period when taking into account several factors such as maintenance, repairs and retained value. In some cases, the savings were huge.

Obviously, the differences are even more pronounced if gas prices go up, thanks not only to the direct savings on fuel but also due to the fact that these vehicles see their resale value surge in times of rising gas costs.

The formula holds up better for smaller cars and crossovers, however. For the bigger trucks and SUVs, like the GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade, the savings still lie in the standard, gas-quaffing versions due to the big MSRP difference.

St. Augustine