Assessment of the Introduction of Commercially Available Hybrid Automobiles - Comparison of the Costs of Driving Gasoline-fueled and Hybrid Automobiles -

In recent years, hybrid automobiles have become increasingly popular for reasons including the increase in fuel efficiency. The present study compared the costs of driving gasoline-fueled and hybrid automobiles to examine whether or not the future introduction of hybrid automobiles will be effective. The results suggest that hybrid automobiles are the first-choice next-generation cars. However, the results also suggest that the introduction of the hybrid system to automobiles with an engine of 1.5 L or smaller is ineffective. Furthermore, a relationship was noted between the price of a hybrid automobile, which is relatively expensive, and its fuel efficiency or driving distance, and the higher the fuel efficiency, or the longer the driving distance, the greater the cost efficiency. The present study suggests that there is no point in adopting the hybrid system for small automobiles. Therefore, gasoline-fueled automobiles will continue to be widely used, and sales of hybrid automobiles are not expected to exceed those of gasoline-fueled ones.