Cities Question Cost of Hybrid Cars

PHILADELPHIA – By gradually adding hybrids to this city’s vehicle fleet, James Muller knows he’s helping to save the environment. What he doesn’t know is whether switching to the more expensive “green” vehicles will save taxpayers money.

The city just bought 20 new hybrid Ford Escapes to add to the six Toyota Priuses already in its 6,000-vehicle fleet. Muller, Philadelphia’s fleet manager, said officials are doing it to improve air quality, but that the upfront costs definitely take a bigger hit on city coffers.
“That’s what we’re finding with the initial cost … it doesn’t wash out,” he said. “You’re actually paying more money.”

Hybrid vehicles, which save gasoline by switching between an electric motor and a gas engine, are seeing enormous sales growth among ordinary consumers. More than 173,000 had been sold in 2005 through October, more than doubling the total for all of 2004, according to the Electric Drive Transportation Association.

Officials in many cities, however, are hesitant, even though municipal governments have been part of the vanguard for bringing technologies such as electric cars and natural-gas-powered buses to the nation’s roads.

AP