Last Monday, I wondered: is it time to buy a hybrid?

The two comments I've received to that post say yes, the time has come. One comment even makes a strong argument for buying a particular hybrid–Toyota's Prius.

While I've yet to decide what I'm going to do, much less what I would buy, I have begun to look into the statistics that will guide my buying decision (all mileage and greenhouse gas estimates are based on driving 18,000 miles/year, with 70% being highway miles).

2003 A4 Audi Avant:

• Kelly Blue Book value = $14-17,000 (depending upon trade or sale)
• miles/gallon = 20 city/28 highway
• annual petroleum consumption = 16.4 barrels/year
• annual fuel cost (premium) = $1,800
• carbon emissions = 8.7 tons/year
• air pollution score = 3 (on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being best)

2007 Honda Element 4WD (my ideal lifestyle vehicle):

• MSRP = $17,750 - $22,325
• miles/gallon = 21 city/24 highway
• annual petroleum consumption = 17.9 barrels/year
• annual fuel cost (regular) = $1,800
• carbon emissions = 9.5 tons/year
• air pollution score = 6

2007 Ford Escape 4WD Hybrid:

• MSRP = $25,655 - $27,260
• miles/gallon = 36 city/31 highway
• annual petroleum consumption = 12.4 barrels/year
• annual fuel cost (regular) = $1,255
• carbon emissions = 6.8 tons/year
• air pollution score = 8

2007 Toyota Prius Hybrid:

• MSRP = $22,175 - $23,070
• miles/gallon = 60 city/51 highway
• annual petroleum consumption = 7.7 barrels/year
• annual fuel cost (regular) = $781
• carbon emissions = 4.2 tons/year
• air pollution score = 8

Bottom line: the Honda Element is out of the question. It's obvious the Prius would have the most impact on reducing our carbon footprint, but I don't know if it can accommodate all the stuff we take on road trips … bikes on a roof rack and/or a "rocket box" for our gear would impact miles per gallon significantly, though I don't quite know how to calculate that drag.

Stay tuned.

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