Going Green While Saving Green: The Top Diesels and Hybrids With the Shortest Break-Even Period

Choosing a hybrid or a diesel vehicle can often result in big fuel savings, but there's a catch: Most of these vehicles are more expensive than their gasoline-model equivalents and the price premium can take many years to earn back at the pump. Tax credits used to help defray the extra cost, but these credits expired at the start of 2011.

As such, it can be helpful to consider a green car's break-even period when evaluating choices. The break-even period is the amount of time it takes for the vehicle's fuel savings to offset its price premium.



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ImOnABoat - 3/8/2011 3:50:35 PM

+2 Boost

2011 Lexus HS 250h Hybrid - Price premium $85... I'm clearly missing something!

tango - 3/9/2011 10:54:51 PM

0 Boost

I have only one problem with the list. The Prius is compared to a Camry? Are they serious? It may be classified as a "midsized" car like the Camry but the EPA has some silly ways of categorising cars. The Prius is more Corolla-sized and should be matched up with that instead. It would be interesting to see just how long it would take to recover the premium in that case.