Hybrid Update

Additional hybrid vehicles in the fleet will save some money especially with fuel cost as high as they are. However, the higher purchase cost of the vehicles must be considered in the equation. The best examples are the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, and mild hybrid Chevrolet pickup.

The Chevrolet hybrid is a full-size, extended-cab pickup. We have very limited assignments in the fleet that require extended-cab, full-size trucks. This year we replaced one of these units, number 708. With this in mind, I requested the addition of the Chevy hybrid to the metro bid. Even though this truck qualifies as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) under the federal guidelines, it does not run on the electric drive alone. Like the Honda hybrids, this vehicle runs the gasoline engine full time except when decelerating or setting. The end result is roughly a twenty percent increase in fuel economy. For analysis of this model I used mileage figures from one of our current Chevrolet pickups with the same 5.3 engine used in the hybrid. Our truck averaged 13.5 miles per gallon last year. The hybrid Chevrolets are EPA rated at 17 miles per gallon.

The price differential of the hybrid is the deciding factor. Bid number 20 lists the prices for a four wheel drive as follows:

• The standard truck cost from Chevrolet is $18,203.00.
• The hybrid truck cost is $27,500.00.
• The winning bid for the standard truck was a Ford, at $16,708.00.
• This makes the cost difference $10,892.00.

Over ten thousand miles, a four-mile per gallon difference equates to a fuel savings of 181 gallons or $407.25 (based on $2.25 a gallon). At that rate, it would require twenty-six and three-quarters years of service to pay back the purchase price differential.

The other larger hybrids available at present are:

§ Sedans - Toyota Prius ($21,521.00) and Honda Accord ($29,990.00)

§ SUVs - Toyota Highlander ($33,680.00) and the Ford Escape ($25,440.00)

Replacing a Ford Taurus with a comparable Prius would be my best recommendation. Using the fuel numbers of our current Prius and Taurus vehicles, the difference is roughly 23 miles per gallon. Based on 10,000 miles (fuel difference 435 gallons) use a year, this would translate to a savings of $978.75 per year. The city's current price is $21,521.00 for the base package (price supplied by Crown Toyota). The metro bid price for a Taurus equipped like ours is $12,165.00. The $9,356.00 price difference would pay back over the estimated 10-year life of the vehicle.

The second generation Prius I feel is the best buy for the money even though there is currently a six month waiting period. The recently released Accord Hybrid is comparable in size to a Taurus, but at a considerably higher price.

The Ford Escape Hybrid could also be used to replace some, if not all, the staff cars in the fleet. I do not recommend this because of the cost. The cost of the Escape Hybrid in two wheel drive is $24,240.00. In four wheel drive, the Escape costs $25,440.00. This $12,000.00 price difference would not be practical.

As soon as demonstrators are available, we will evaluate this vehicle to see if there is enough interior room to fill the needs of the fire department. If it will work in this application, the cost difference compared with the Explorers we now use is not that great.

The last hybrid is the Honda Civic, the smallest of the hybrid sedans currently available. These units will be considered as replacements for some of the staff cars. Each staff car’s use and cargo will be evaluated to determine the hybrid best suited for the job. 

The vehicles that will make the most significant impact on fuel use are still at least one to two years away. Navistar and Eaton are currently testing a hybrid class seven utility truck. A 25% increase in fuel economy is projected for the diesel-powered hybrid. Because of federal mandates for fuel alternatives in the utility industry, it may be closer to two years before we would be able to purchase these. Purchase price figures have not yet been released.

The other system in development is a hydraulic drive unit. The hydraulic drive system being tested by the U.S and Australian Army’s is the most promising. This system should increase fuel economy 20 to 30 % and extend brake life 30 to 50% on class eight trucks. We have made application to participate in the commercial testing of this unit. If our application is accepted, the drive unit would be fitted to one of our existing refuse trucks sometime next year. Once testing is complete, full production is expected in 2007.

Currently our Cat-powered refuse trucks average about 2.603 miles per gallon. Our Mercedes-powered trucks average approximately 2.992 miles per gallon. A twenty percent increase would translate to roughly $7,560.00 over seven years.  The reduced wear on the foundation brakes would increase this savings by approximately $3,600.00 over the life of the truck. These savings would go a long way toward recovering the investment over the seven-year life of the truck.

Are hybrid vehicles a worthwhile investment? Absolutely!  The key is to find the unit that is best suited for the job and that will return our investment. In the above examples, the Chevy pickup would be a good fit in a field operation where power tools are required. Employees would not require a separate generator to power up tools. This would eliminate the need for the extra piece of equipment (generator) and the always present possibility of injury loading and operating auxiliary equipment. In this case, the cost savings and increased production should be figured into the life cycle cost of the vehicle.

Finally, the most important thing to remember is that right now the manufacturers are making these vehicles for show. The Chevy and the Ford Escape both are fully loaded trucks with many accessories we would not normally purchase. Both come equipped with power windows, locks, power seats and lots of chrome. The Prius and Civic are settling into varying levels of accessories much like the rest of the vehicles. There are presently three levels of equipment available on the Prius.

We plan to continue to promote hybrid use and lobby the manufacturers for vehicles built to suit our needs. It is important to expose our operators and technicians to this technology as it will help them adjust to other system changes coming in this industry.

Thank you

Steve Stewart