Is it more energy efficient to buy a new hybrid, or keep an old used car?

Question

Considering that it takes energy to make a new car, even a hybrid, when is it more efficient to buy a hybrid vs. keeping an older car until it dies of natural causes. Monetary cost is not the primary factor here.

Answer 1

It does take energy to make a new car, and in addition I think there is a price premium on the hybrid cars that will make them less efficient on a cost per mile basis.

If money is no object and you are buying a new car, buy a hybrid that gets great gas mileage of course. That's a nobrainer.

But if you have a decent car now that gets good mileage, keep it until it dies.

The way I think, wasting your money or extravagant spending is also environmentally inefficient. It creates demand which uses production resources that could be put to better use. So, I believe money is always a factor.

Answer 2

Here's a shorter answer: Hybrids can be compatiable with biofuels or petroleum fuels and are more efficient, especially if you drive short distances. Pay very close attention to when models come out, since there are significant tax benefits for buying new model hybrids, but these disappear once they've sold some number of a given model. If you can't get a tax break, it'll take a while for you to recoup the extra cost of a hybrid. Consider a diesel. I drive a 2006 Jetta TDI, can use biodiesel as much as I want and get an average of 45MPG in primairly city driving, 55 on longer trips and have several times gotten 65 on my old commute. Any which way, get a light car with a small engine.

Answer 3

That depends.

Some smaller conventional cars have better fuel economy than hybrids (especially small diesels) so in those cases you'd be worse off with a hybrid (although diesels do have higher particulate emissions) and hybrids don't really do anywhere near as well at sustained cruising on the highway (they're better at the start stop traffic in the city) although they still tend to do pretty well.

Some hybrids like the Lexus models are more for increasing the power of an existing vehicle than being good for the environment and so those are still real gas guzzlers (though they actually do tend to be better than the base model with just an Internal Combustion engine).

If you use the older car a lot for start stop driving in the city than you'd probably do well to get a hybrid although if you do mostly driving in the country a small diesel would be your best bet for CO2 emissions (though particulates will depend on what the fuel standards where you live are) and if your current car is small it might be better than a hybrid (nothing with more than 4 cylinders need apply here).

Answer 4

Depends on what you have at the moment and what your needs are.

If you are in the market for a new car regardless, go for a hybrid version.

If you are compact or sub-compact car owners and your car is giving you upper 20s to mid 30 mpg, and you are not ready to get a new one, the decision is not that easy. I think in that case, there is no rush to replace your current vehicle with a hybrid.

If you need a SUV or pickup truck, the hybrid options are still very limited so even though it would make more sense to swtich now, you may want to hold on for another year or two.

Answer 5

Really depends upon the efficiency of the old car. If its a gas guzzling mega-tuna boat that leaks oil like a sieve, probably not.
But the cost of a new built hybrid'll make you consider keeping a decent economical model on the road until it gives up the ghost. Run those kind into the ground.

Answer 6

A Hybrid if you can afford it. It is much easier on the environment. I had a 1980 Dodge Aspen, and let it go in Nov. 2005. Found gas too costly, and I like to walk more. Will only get a car again if it is a must for work.

Answer 7

if you reached that level of finances that you afford a hybrid car and considering hybrid cars come up with better parameters all the time, why not changing it? because it needs human energy, well all works need. let them work for you and earn their own living too. while they produce they are payed. you should not come up to think of human energy here.

Answer 8

Monetary factor is a big issue,however,we have destroyed the environment and we must pay a higher price to keep it safe again.
Old cars have awful exhaust pipe which pollutes the environment with Chlorofluorocarbon,CFCs. The oil refineries and other big factories pollute the air with "thick black smoke" so do our lovable old cars.If we want the air to be breathable and safe for all living things,then we shd accept the new change to sustain our planet.
Old cars have weak body parts which keep on breaking down and falling apart. so why don't we recycle the "old troublesome" and welcome "hybrid' for a chance to survival.

Answer 9

I can relate to this question!. Many of us treat our old cars like family, hanging on to them despite the best efforts of car manufacturers to sell us their new shiny models.
As for gasoline consumption, I find the old 6 cylinder uses less gasoline than the new 6 cylinder, and predictably the 4 cylinder export truck sips gasoline with a straw.
Who needs a hybrid?

Answer 10

If your older car is getting decent mileage and not leaking other nasty things, then it is better to keep the old car until you really need to get a new one. Another thing people don't consider is how they drive their car. If you don't drive conscientiously you will be wasting your gas and other people's gas, too. So be aware on the road!