Gas prices plummeting, and so are hybrid sales

I'm with you, Oskar. Today I filled up at ''Sam's'' for $1.92 per gallon-- first time that low in several years. I don't care if gas goes to $.50 a gallon, I am enjoying these prices. My mpg now has gone down to approx. 48 mpg-- driving 75 mph or so on interstate........

 

I love these prices and still don't miss our van. BTW, those who complain about the Prius can now opt for the BMW 8i, it's only $135,000+, but it does go fast and has a range similar to the Volt. Funny thing is some people complain about the seats in it too.

 

Oh, to be rich enough to afford a $135K car, and foolish enough to complain about it...

 

The prices are only low because Saudis are trying to punish US and Russian oil production...which is only cost-effective at much higher oil prices.

Sooner or later, it will end, and the price will shoot back up.

 

...but look at nat gas, currently about 10 times lower in price than anyone ever thought.
And it is staying there. Maybe oil is more openly traded, but hard to say what future holds.

 

I've been wondering how effective that would be at this point. Sure, some companies would go bankrupt, but a few would survive or get bought out by larger companies. And as soon as the prices shoot up again to the point oil production in North America is economical again ($80+), can't they just fire those wells back up and glut the market again? It's not like we'd suddenly forget how to drill those wells or lose all the equipment right away.

On top of that, cars are becoming more fuel efficient compared to 20 years ago, and people still have high gas prices fresh in their minds, so if the prices shoot up again, that'll steer some people towards higher mpg cars, which in the long run will reduce demand for oil. Other countries are also starting to implement measures to reduce pollution from cars, including adopting more EV's. While it's a very slow buildup, it can have a culmulative effect over time, unless they keep prices under $1 a gallon for years.

The harder a person's checkbook is hit, especially in regards to gas prices, the more likely they'll look for something that's going to give them more bang for their buck, in this case, a more fuel efficient vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid/electric vehicle if they're really sick of high gas prices.

If automakers are smart, they'd use the low gas prices to steer people into more fuel efficient cars and EV's, reminding people that prices won't stay this low, and if you buy this high mpg car or EV now, you can get a great deal on it. Then you'll be well cushioned for the inevitable increase in gas prices, or completely immune to it if you have an EV.

 

Ashlem makes a good point. Everyone should consider the consequences of driving a low MPG vehicle in relation to their bank account. We have heard for years about how we should reduce our dependence on foreign oil to protect our country and the planet's resources, let alone our monthly fuel budget. Anyone remember gas for clunkers?

However, some municipalities are attempting to punish those who have adapted hybrids and EV's by imposing additional annual vehicle fees to off-set the loss in tax revenue at the pump. Virginia and Washington come to mind. Let no good deed go unpunished!

 

Right on. Just hold on to your Prius. In the meantime you save money every time you fill up.

 

I'm still assuming $3.50/gal, the 24 mpg our old van got and the savings is going into our vacation account.

 

So, just to throw in my 2-cents;

For me, the money/gas savings wasn't it at all. I went from no car payment to nearly $400/mo, so if I was only looking at this from an economical standpoint a well used Civic/ Yaris/whatever would have been "better" given that my commute (round trip) is only 28 miles. I'd have to drive my Prius to Jupiter to come out ahead.

But, instead, my motivations were that I truly believe in the technology. I was close to buying a Leaf, but their just too darn expensive! So, for me the Prius (or an EV) is more of a statement about what I want our future to look like, not about finances.

With that said, I imagine anyone who's lost interest in a Prius based solely on this recent (and temporary) downswing in oil price was probably on the fence to begin with.

 

For me, the mileage was a very nice bonus, but I wanted a car that was going to be somewhat reliable, even if somewhat "boring" to drive. My 93 Honda Civic still drove okay, but any time it broke it cost an arm and a leg to fix, such as a head gasket that cost $1121, or a replacing a side window and the seals around the windows for $450.

That's why I got a c first, then later switched to a liftback for the extra cargo room. Didn't like the 10 mpg hit on the v, or I may have gotten that instead. Shame I couldn't get a new Plug-in Prius more easily or without having to special order it in WI, or I would've bought that instead. I like that there's no belts to replace in the c or gen 3 liftback, so that's one less thing to worry about fixing.

The money I'm saving now on not having to pay for as much gas is going first towards paying off the liftback, then if it stays low long enough, towards a plug-in. Maybe the next gen PiP, but only if they release it nationwide and it's a better deal than the gen 2 Volt, Leaf, or Model 3. According to playing around with Tesla's calculator, once gas hits about $2.04 or less, it's cheaper for me to drive my prius than going EV at 14 cents for electricity. But obviously prices won't stay that low for long, hence my long term goal of getting a plug-in, and hopefully a reliable one. Plus I like the silent driving EV's offer.

 

wow, there's just a massive glut of Prius liftbacks at Fremont Toyota CA. It's a large dealer but there must be well over a hundred lounging around. This is what happens when a car is chained to a ball named gas prices and Toyota makes customers wait six and a half years for a new model.

 

Wow, that sure is a lot of prius! I've never seen more than maybe 10 +/- at any one dealership at any one time around these parts, and have never ever seen a plug in prius around here for sale….

 

Most dealers (around here) only obtain inventory they expect will sell. If someone wants something and will wait for it, they can always order it.

 

We have 2 Toyota dealers in town, one sucks... But, (according to their website) the good one has over 50 2015 Prius Liftbacks.

The c and v are different stories, as I expect they're trying to liquidate their 2014 in anticipation of the 2015s.

 

That's because according to the Toyota website, the PiP is only sold in 15 states and PA is not one of them, I have no idea why:

"Prius Plug-in Hybrid is available at participating dealers in 15 states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington."

 

There's probably never been a better time to buy a Prius.

End of the month.
End of the year.
End of the product cycle (Gen4 just around the corner)
Gas prices plummeting.
0%/60mo Toyota financing

 

Well that explains it. Lol.

I just never cared to look more into it as I cannot own a plug in where I live now. No way to charge it, so have never been in the market.

Thanks.

 

It does seem strange to only offer the PiP in select states. I cannot buy a PiP here, but I can buy a Leaf?? (local Nissan dealer has 6 on their lot).

 

Even if gas was givened away, I would still drive my Prius.

DBCassidy