If you use a hybrid electric car, will your electricity bill go WAY up when you charge your car?
monkey
I’m wondering if the cost of your electriciy bill will go up a lot when you start charging your new hybrid car (such as a Prius)? Does it completely offset the MPG savings in gasoline? Do you break even? Does it cost MORE in electricity?
I’m wondering if the cost of your electriciy bill will go up a lot when you start charging your new hybrid car (such as a Prius)? Does it completely offset the MPG savings in gasoline? Do you break even? Does it cost MORE in electricity?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:46 am
All of the currently commercially available hybrids are not plugged in at all; the electricity is generated when you use the breaks. It would have absolutely no effect on your energy bill at all.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:30 am
Assuming you are talking about a Plug-In-Hybrid here is a reference point for you. My 1988 Mitsubishi MightyMax Pickup used to cost me $140/mo for the 500 or so miles I drive in that time. After I converted it to full electric, my electricity bill only went up $30/mo for the same amount of driving.
June 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Only by 30 cents a day or so..
June 25th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
There are no plug-in hybrids available right now. All hybrids recharge the batteries while driving via various methods like regenerative braking.
Eventually there will be plug-in hybrids (such as the Chevy Volt and plug-in version of the Prius), but they won’t increase your electric bill too drastically. Electric cars and plug-in hybrids cost about 2 cents per mile to recharge. Cars that run purely on gasoline cost on the order of 10 cents per mile to refuel (for gas at $3/gallon).
In other words, your electric bill will go up (by about $20/month if you drive 1000 miles per month), but your total fueling bill will be cut by 80%.