Comparison of Conventional and Hybrid Cars Exploitation Costs

Abstract

The paper analyzes three different, but similar class cars, two of them with conventional spark ignition (SI) engines, and one – hybrid (SI + electricity). There are presented and analyzed statistics of fuel consumption and mileage of several years, fuel price changes and provided exploitation costs. The analysis shows that in countries where are no any privileges for the acquisition of hybrid cars or for operation (less parking or tolls, insurance or technical inspection price), the payback is hardly possible, because the hybrid car's price is about 2 times higher than that of normal car, and fuel costs are reduced merely about 20 %. Results of the analysis show that payback of the hybrid car (at current fuel prices), in the best case possible after 0,73 million kilometers. Within annual mileage an average of 25 thousands km, the hybrid car will payback after 30 years.