How Much Is That Hybrid Electric Really Saving You

Hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius may soon be joined on the road by plug-in hybrids and pure electrics. Here are the specs on some distinct approaches to building such cars. The key figure may be the cost to go 30 miles, a typical U.S. round-trip commute. For comparison with a conventional gas-powered model, that figure for a 2007 Toyota Camry would be $2.83.TOYOTA PRIUSCost for 30-mile trip*: $1.39 ($.046 per mile)Cost for 200-mile trip: $9.27 ($.046 per mile)Media Platforms Design TeamHow It Works: The Prius is driven by a 76-hp gasoline engine supplemented by a 50-kw, 28-hp electric motor.Media Platforms Design TeamBatteries: 201.6-volt, 1.3-kwh NiMHMedia Platforms Design TeamSources of Electricity: Batteries store energy generated during braking and are fed by a generator coupled to the engine.Media Platforms Design TeamRange: 600-plus milesMedia Platforms Design TeamFuel Economy: 60 city/51 highwayMedia Platforms Design TeamAvailability: Toyota has sold some 700,000 Priuses worldwide since introducing the car in Japan in 1997. Last year, it sold 107,000 in the United States.Media Platforms Design TeamPrice: $22,175 (base)HYMOTION PLUG-IN PRIUSCost for 30-mile trip*: $1.01 ($.034 per mile)Cost for 200-mile trip: $8.86 ($.044 per mile)Media Platforms Design TeamHow It Works: Several approaches are used to convert stock hybrids to plug-ins. Hymotion integrates a charge port and an additional battery into a Prius.Media Platforms Design TeamBatteries: Stock 201.6-volt, 1.3-kwh NiMH, plus a 5-kwh li-ionMedia Platforms Design TeamSources of Electricity: 110-volt outlet; plus the stock Prius combination of regenerative braking and an on-board generatorMedia Platforms Design TeamRange: 630-plus milesMedia Platforms Design TeamFuel Economy: 200-plus mpg city/100 mpg highway for the first 30 miles; then, 60/51Media Platforms Design TeamAvailability: Currently only for fleet customers; consumer sales could start this year.Media Platforms Design TeamPrice: $32,175 (Prius, plus up to $10,000 for consumer conversion)TESLA ROADSTERCost for 30-mile trip*: $.66 ($.022 per mile)Cost for 200-mile trip: $4.40 ($.022 per mile)Media Platforms Design TeamHow It Works: The Tesla is a pure electric vehicle with a 185-kw, 248-hp motor.Media Platforms Design TeamBatteries: 375-volt, 56-kwh li-ionMedia Platforms Design TeamSources of Electricity: The Tesla charges off a 110-volt or 220-volt electric line; the car also converts braking energy into electricity.Media Platforms Design TeamRange: 250 miles (based on EPA highway mileage regime)Media Platforms Design TeamFuel Economy: Not applicableMedia Platforms Design TeamAvailability: Tesla plans to ship its first 100 Roadsters this fall.Media Platforms Design TeamPrice: $92,950 (base)GM VOLT CONCEPTCost for 30-mile trip*: $.63 ($.021 per mile)Cost for 200-mile trip: $9.00 ($.045 per mile)Media Platforms Design TeamHow It Works: E-Flex vehicles such as the Volt will drive their wheels with a 120-kw, 160-hp electric motor. An engine or fuel cell will run an on-board electric generator.Media Platforms Design TeamBatteries: 320- to 350-volt, 16-kwh li-ionMedia Platforms Design TeamSources of Electricity: 110-volt outlet; engine-powered generator (Future E-Drive vehicles may use other power sources, such as a fuel cell, to drive the generator.)Media Platforms Design TeamRange**: 640 milesMedia Platforms Design TeamFuel Economy: 50 mpgMedia Platforms Design TeamAvailability: General Motors plans to release its first E-Flex vehicles as early as 2010.Media Platforms Design TeamPrice: Below $30,000 * Typical U.S. round-trip commute, based on U.S. DOT statistics. All cost estimates assume $2.55/gal. gasoline, $0.1055/kilowatt-hour (kwh) electricity.** GM Volt range, fuel economy, cost figures and price are estimates based on General Motors projections.