laramie

I will consider a hybrid next time I buy a car, but I drive 25,000 miles per year, which is more than most people. I will also consider high-mileage non-hybrids and diesels. I think each person really needs to do the math, albeit with unknowns such as the longevity of the battery pack and the future price of gasoline. I am pretty sure that hybrids are not cost effective for people who drive an average amount, but some people obviously think that reducing gasoline consumption is more important than saving money.

I was at a friend's house the other day and we were discussing using a gas hot water heater vs. an electric one. I said that the gas heater was less expensive to operate. He said that he gets all of his electricity from wind power, so therefore that option was "more green" even though the cost to operate is higher.

So, a judgment needs to be made about how much money one is willing to spend in order to be more environmentally responsible. You may need to make this judgment when considering a hybrid car as well.