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Take it with a grain of salt, but here's BCAA's latest assesment of cost of owning a hybrid vehicle, vs non-hybrid. Full report link is at the bottom of this page:

http://www.bcaa.com/wps/portal/BCAA/newsroom/news_releases/2011_news?rdePathInfo=xchg/bcaa-com/hs.xsl/12331.htm

I guess there were no HCH2 or Insight 2 available for the study? H

I guess there were no HCH2 or Insight 2 available for the study? H

They're there, it's a multi-page document: they're on page 2. That's about all I've noticed, I really should give it a read myself.

Ok, I see how it works: they take 2 roughly compatible vehicles from a manufacturer, one fuel efficient hybrid, the other not, and compare costs of ownership. Hmm, if you're into SUV's, the Toyota Hylander Hybrid almost recoups the premium, comparing to non-hybrid version.

One thing I don't understand: why is the 5 year difference not exactly 5 times the one year difference? Possible extra maintenance, or battery replacement cost??

Thanks Mendel ,I found the next page. H

I've seen various studies on hybrids and one thing is clear: there are well-designed ones and poorly designed ones - just like conventional vehicles.

Hybrids like the first generation Insight and Prius do well because these cars were designed to be fuel-efficient in every way - not by merely adding a hybrid powerplant like for instance the Chevy Malibu or Honda Accord. Aerodynamics. low weight, and efficient gas engines factor heavily in fuel-efficiency.