Why Are Green Cars STILL Such A Hard Sell?

Well, another test cycle of Wards 10 Best Engines is over, and every year I say the same thing: These green cars are the real deal. There is no sacrifice in performance – in many cases torque is plentiful and immediate – and you get better fuel economy and reduced tailpipe emissions. This year we have four, count ’em, four green cars on the Wards 10 Best Engines list, out of a very good field of three hybrids, seven plug-in hybrids and one electric vehicle. The BMW 330e PHEV narrowly missed and we found a lot to like about the new Hyundai Ioniq EV, too. Both cars have awesome regenerative braking ability. Judge Bob Gritzinger added more than 10 miles (16 km) of range on his stop-and-go-heavy commute home in the Ioniq.
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TheSteve - 12/19/2016 1:36:43 PM

+1 Boost

Two answers:

(1) They're not. The Prius is quite a hot seller (comparatively speaking).

(2) As for most hybrids and EVs, we've done this one so many times. Primy put-offs are:
...range anxiety for EVs
...battery life/replacement cost for hybrids and EVs
...higher purchase price than a comparable ICE
...readily available and cheap gasoline shifts minds aways from fuel economy and low emissions

TomM - 12/19/2016 4:45:20 PM

+3 Boost

sorry - I do not agree.
I have a Ford Fusion Hybrid as my company car - and it certainly does not come close to the ICE version - the acceleration with the CVT is at best - tepid - and the brakes are horrible - and reduced trunkspace. IF it did not offer that much better mileage - it would nothing going for it - and with today's gas prices - there is little incentive to go to the Hybrid right now. Maybe newer Hybrids are a little better - but they still do not compete with the ICE versions. IN addition - most Hybrid mid-sizers are quite a bit more expensive than their ICE counterparts.

Add in that todays ICE cars are getting much better mileage than before - My Chrysler Mini-Van manages 31-32 MPG on long trips - and it as aerodynamic as a brick. That is even better than my old Mercury Sable - which got 27 or so. The Hybrid - once it is on the "gas engine" doesn't do any better.

Why say that these are the real deal - how many "drivers" car buyers would put up with a regular Hybrid - and if you really look - it takes serious money to get a Hybrid that actually competes with ICE version. NASCAR has not moved to Hybrids yet !

MDarringer - 12/19/2016 8:49:26 PM

0 Boost

1) They demand that you pay more to be green which is a disincentive. Spending more to save is not cost effective.

2) They aren't focused where people need them: pickups, BOF SUVs, crossovers, minivans

3) ICE cars are hardly gas hogs

4) Gas is cheap

MrEE - 12/20/2016 11:01:24 AM

+1 Boost

Great time to get in on the cheap. Who could resist the pictured Prius for $20k and 50+mpg.