Posted on 04/19/2012 11:39:05 AM PDT by jazusamo
Let’s do some math based on those commants:
Cost of Focus with gas engine: $22,000
Cost of Battery: $12,000 to $15,000
(Let’s assume $15,000 and say that this number includes the extra electronics and such).
Price of car should be: $37,000
Price of car actually is: $39,200
Extra profit: $2,200.
Note as well, this was the price of an all-electric car as compared to a gas-powered car... in other words, Ford is also saving on the cost of the gas engine. I would guess that’s probably another $2000 in their favor.
[Ford is clearly counting on the tax subsidies: $2500 for Californians; $7500 Federally]
Imagine what this trend will do to the automobile industry’s retail business model. Instead of a trade in allowance, they would have to charge a disposal fee and add it to the price of a new car.
Ha! Good point - in this instance, I bet it will be plugged in every second it's not in use... and the Focus actually does charge up in 4 hours... so it's probably good for around 100 miles on that track.
I own a 2010 Fusion Hybrid. Bought it slightly used and have enjoyed it. You do not have t plug these vehicles into anything. The breaking system charges the battery. I have registered up to 46 mpgs. The car is solid, rides nice, and has a host of amenities. I actually want to trade my 2011 Honda CRV (which gets no where near the rating it stated on the sticker in mpgs) in on a new Escape Hybrid. As for the battery, I have the extended warranty so if anything goes wrong with it, it’s on Fords dime. Seriously, go and take a look at the hybrids, I have saved tons of money on gas, and it’s nice seeing a sedan that states you have “765 miles to empty”. I usually fill up every two weeks, before I was filling up twice a week. Big big difference.
I can get a Die Hard at less than 1% of 15,000.
A new gasoline engine can run between 3,500 and 5,000.
And in any of these high gas mileage automobiles—why have they not mentioned safety??????? If you drive one pull along side of and 18 wheeler you ar looking at the tire and rim.....if you get hit by a larger car-—you will have serious if not fatal injuries...course you could say its your time to go......
New traction batteries for Prius were always around $3K new - and you could get them cheaper from damaged cars. Reports of Gen. II Priuses asking for a battery are extremely rare, on par with the usual rate of manufacturing defects in other components. Today $10K will buy you a 5-6 years old Prius.
They did, however, need some other part I think of as costing around $400, but cost them $1200 for the Prius.
This is actually normal for many Japanese cars. If you need a bolt or a bracket or a bumper you can have them made locally, out of pure gold, for less money. One of my coworkers, owner of some Japanese sports car, hit something in an underground parking and needed a new bumper with hardware. That, with labor, was around $4K. So on one hand parts are expensive; on the other hand, you probably won't need them :-)
As one who used battery powered instrumentation for the past 40 to 50 years, it is obvious to me that we need a fundamental breakthru in battery technology, or a change in approach. How aboun a small nuclear generator?
I want a Mr. Fusion too!
The battery in Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid is guaranteed for life.
That doesn't include dealer mark up, special shipping cost (delivery truck with full sized forklift), installation, and disposal/shipping cost of the old battery. When the battery needs to be replaced an electric automobile is essentially totaled. Econoboxes do not do well in accidents vs. SUVs and now there's a 700 pound mini-SUV pushing from the inside. The thin metal and squishy passengers between the two heavy masses have no chance.
We had a Celica years ago, very little problem every. Mercifully, we didn’t get into replacement parts. On cost of Prius battery, just repeated what one owner told me, I will NEVER know.
I’m thinkin’ there’s a reason Ford chose a 3/4 mile track and not The Glenn, Pocono, etc.
Imagine if they have to make laps to dry off the track....
One little consideration about batteries in general, and very likely applying here: They wear out as they are charged and discharged. So even if they last as long as promised, the vehicle might be down to a range of 40 miles on a good day, and 20 miles on a bad day.
It’s no different than having your gas tank shrink over time, and starting with a very small tank at that!!
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