Honda Civic

Have you noticed that since “greening” your automobile has become the in thing for many Gore types the real greening is starting to take place in the pockets of automakers? I support a cleaner environment and more fuel efficient vehicles, but in order for me to smell the flowers in the future automakers are smelling cash.

Nothing wrong with that of course. Everyone deserves to make a buck, especially our beloved Detroit 3, but certain indications are showing that green friendly is no longer cash friendly.

Where as one time the Prius was the only real deal, automakers are now presenting the public with an ever increasing array of hybrid choices.

Toyota Prius

Ford Escape

Honda Accord

At one time, buying green meant a high priced vehicle that came attached with certain economic savings. That’s not the case anymore.

Car companies continue to raise the price of hybrids while we are starting to see the once popular tax credits disappearing. The Toyota Prius once garnered a $3,150 tax credit, that is now gone.

As the earlier generation of hybrids start to age and exceed warranty, owners are starting to see pricey repairs. Some recent data shows that after warranty repairs for a hybrid could go as high as $10,000 over the remaining life of the car.

It appears that automakers who sell in North America see the hybrid as the primary wave of the future. Although many automakers applaud diesels for their fuel efficiency they make up a paltry 1% of sales in the U.S. Compare that to an astonishing 50% choice of drivers in Europe.