You're watching...
Consumer Reports’ David Champion on the savings on fuel and maintenance for hybrid and electric cars compared with the higher initial costs.
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
America is on -- car buying binge a new government report today says Americans borrowed more in February to buy new vehicles.
Now the news comes after New York Times analysis found the payoff for electric and hybrid vehicles taking.
Years even decades here for its stake David Champion senior director of consumer reports auto test center.
David is great to have you on the show I was saying in the break that we have tested cars together before.
And let me tell you this man -- lead foot and I that's very quick like.
Are -- -- the issue though of the payoff on some of these hybrids.
Some of these electric cars I wanna show you some numbers here you know.
These cars cost thousands of dollars more than their competitors that are gas -- And you would think.
That would be a bad thing that it actually takes years and years for people to breakeven on the cost of that.
The Chevy Volt 27 years to make up the difference in cost -- -- -- -- -- vs the Nissan Versa.
Nine years so it goes on and on what do you make of this.
Well -- just looking gas prices if you just look at the price of gas in the and they money saving that you get -- -- Yes the payback is a long time but when you look at depreciation.
Hybrid constant hold their value better.
You look at maintenance repair because the electric -- is doing a lot of the breaking for you.
You saving on brake pads and servicing and other costs like that so the analysis the consumer reports that showed that.
Something like a Chevrolet Volt the payback was about six years at 360 gallon to -- them.
-- the other -- -- include -- at this I've heard from other experts in your industry who say.
Look these cars -- so new there's so few of them in the marketplace.
That the parts and even getting experienced technicians very difficult they're much Morgan typical to service.
More expensive to service or not so much on the electric -- is relatively simple you've just a moment to management about -- -- there's a lot of electronics and that.
A lot of things that you have to learn how to do but there's less moving parts in electric vehicle than the recent against -- count.
Interesting it's a big debate obviously let's have a little bit about the New York -- -- -- you were there and I wanna know what you saw that you really liked.
Well of course the Chevrolet by Chris absolutely amazing you know -- we tested a viper in 2006.
The new -- seems to be much more of real cadres of the previous five but I have a bit of a -- -- to -- of this one.
Is actually gorgeous and they don't 'cause like the Lincoln and hazy.
A beautiful -- used to think of Lincoln -- some some old man's cup but this 'cause gorgeous.
I hear good things about that RE Porsche 9/11 how hard is that to pick -- pick -- -- The Porsche 9/11.
They.
-- chatted about the -- relate that.
Which just adds you sort of more joy to an already beautiful -- Right -- you also sell -- Range Rover.
Have they say that and you know I thought you did you know like range rumors I used to work for -- driven many times and reliability is still an issue with them.
The evoke -- a cool looking can't we tested didn't say it's OK it's a small -- but that -- the roof off made into a convertible.
And it's really interesting to think about it a -- -- you just like convertibles I think that now Nissan Altima Altima coupe.
Like that yet that the new -- it's not actually going to be -- -- this year but the new Altima has always been a great selling the interior is much nicer inside.
And the fuel economy they say it's gonna be back to the -- even think to Hyundai.
-- Hyundai Santa fade the US UV -- and that's short wheelbase which is five seat all the long wheelbase which is ascendancy to vehicle.
Very nice styling they're getting with a to meet soon to -- to 2.4 to to me to tell both to get the best fuel economy out of it.
You know what I think's interesting here you do have American cars in addition.
To European Mars and even Japanese cars on your list three -- that the American cars are being designed better generally are you -- are you more attracted to those makes and models.
That you did -- domestic manufacturers have come on so far you know Chrysler Scott's whole bunch of -- coming out the new dots coming out soon.
And also Ford has got a whole range of vehicles coming out so that's good.
And General Motors has really improved over the last few years they've got the new -- act which is a nice big cup and.
Palace while take me back up at our -- -- for coming yet you guys to a great job looking at these cars and really evaluating them that consumer reports we appreciate your time today thank you thank you.
