[qwikz28]

someone explain me this: i just heard a commercial on the radio saying a toyota prius can save someone $13k over a 5 year span on gas.... since i drive alot and have a suv, i assume i would be the target audience. allow me to elaborate.

i estimated that i drive about 600 miles a week on average(rounding up). that is about 30k a year. so lets assume my car gets about 20mpg(rounding down), and gas is about $2.50 (rounding up) throughout the year. thats about $3750 a year or $18750 over 5 years.

now a prius lets say gets double the gas mileage (for simplicity purposes) so lets say that number gets halved, $9375. (13k? really?) thats a savings of $150 a month over an SUV with gas prices at $2.50 for someone who drives more then twice the national average, rounding in favor of the hybrid. and on top of that i have a roomier car, towing capabilities, more horsepower then a shopping cart, and 4WD.

its easy math, do it for yourself for someone who drives a normal sedan at the average 12k a year; the savings diminish rather fast. and then you have maintanance, higher vehicle cost, blah blah. exactly who benefits from a hybrid?