I'm considering buying a Niro and wanted to share my thought process. Currently the PHEV with rebate prices out very near to the MSRP of the Hybrid. There is a few dollars here or there different but not enough to change a purchasing decision. No brainer right?
Advantage PHEV
Currently, there are fewer PHEVs available at dealers than hybrids and higher incentives from both the manufacture and dealers in discounting so the Hybrid does enjoy a price benefit. There are also many more in dealer inventory.
Advantage Hybrid
I made up a spreadsheet with some assumptions about price of fuel (always a guess) and MPGs based upon the statistics on Fuelly. I used our inexpensive price of electricity (0.105/Kwh - thank you Cascade Mountains) and ran some simulations based upon my driving habits which are well documented (thank you IRS). The PHEV would save me approx. $19/month at current fuel prices.
Advantage PHEV
Next, I check my local incentives. We live in VERY progressive Seattle and I think to myself, "surely there will be a big fat incentive". Almost.... a tax break which would have saved me paying sales tax on the PHEV just ran out. (Drats!) Then I look more and I find out not only is there no rebate, there is an extra $150/year registration fee for electric vehicles that pretty much erases all benefit of the plug-in! Arg..... what are these legislators thinking?
Advantage Hybrid
At the end of the day I think the availability of the color and options I want will win the day. I'll report once I buy.
Advantage PHEV
Currently, there are fewer PHEVs available at dealers than hybrids and higher incentives from both the manufacture and dealers in discounting so the Hybrid does enjoy a price benefit. There are also many more in dealer inventory.
Advantage Hybrid
I made up a spreadsheet with some assumptions about price of fuel (always a guess) and MPGs based upon the statistics on Fuelly. I used our inexpensive price of electricity (0.105/Kwh - thank you Cascade Mountains) and ran some simulations based upon my driving habits which are well documented (thank you IRS). The PHEV would save me approx. $19/month at current fuel prices.
Advantage PHEV
Next, I check my local incentives. We live in VERY progressive Seattle and I think to myself, "surely there will be a big fat incentive". Almost.... a tax break which would have saved me paying sales tax on the PHEV just ran out. (Drats!) Then I look more and I find out not only is there no rebate, there is an extra $150/year registration fee for electric vehicles that pretty much erases all benefit of the plug-in! Arg..... what are these legislators thinking?
Advantage Hybrid
At the end of the day I think the availability of the color and options I want will win the day. I'll report once I buy.