Buying a Hybrid

A new report out today shows a sizeable upswing in the number of hybrids being sold in the United States:

U.S. hybrid vehicle sales more than doubled last year, according to new data released Thursday, although they still only comprise slightly more than 1 percent of U.S. vehicle sales.

Registrations for new hybrids rose to 199,148 in 2005, a 139 percent increase from the year before, as more models came on the market, according to R.L. Polk & Co., a Southfield, Mich.-based firm that collects and interprets automotive data. The Lexus RX400h and hybrid versions of the Toyota Highlander and Mercury Mariner were among the new models from which consumers had to choose.

Hybrids accounted for 1.2 percent of the 16.99 million vehicles sold in the United States last year. In 2004, the 83,153 hybrids sold were 0.5 percent of the 16.91 million vehicles sold. The U.S. hybrid market has grown exponentially since 2000, when 7,781 were sold.

Though I'm not much of a car person, I admit to lusting after the hybrid SUVs because of the ideal compromise they seem to present between the importance of fuel efficiency and the convenience of expanded trunk space. I hate having to worry about whether the new piece of furniture or electronics is actually going to fit in my Pontiac Grand Am (which has actually served me well 95% of the time I'm hauling stuff).

The funny thing is, whenever I tell people I think I want to buy a hybrid, the reaction is "but I've heard you don't actually save any money overall." As if the only reason to buy a hybrid is to save on gas. Well here's a thought: I'm actually willing to pay more for a car just to use less gasoline, even if I don't break even on the cost of gas. The mere fact that less gasoline will be used and fewer noxious fumes will be emitted is enough justification for me to spend the extra dollars to get the hybrid model.