Fleets are as environmentally conscious as they’ve ever been, because they have more of an opportunity to curb larger amounts of greenhouse gases and smog-forming pollutants than the single consumer. In turn, a fleet’s costs to “go green” are even greater than those of the Prius-buying family — and in business, any environmental initiative must be sustainable to the bottom line.  

With this in mind, the lifecycle cost experts at Vincentric put together a cost-of-ownership analysis of hybrid models. Last November, Vincentric analyzed 27 models from 2011 and 2012 model years using data from its October 2011 database update.

The Vincentric data measures eight cost elements for more than 2,000 vehicle configurations, including depreciation, financing, fees and taxes, fuel, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost and repairs. Each month Vincentric re-compiles its database to take into account current market conditions.

For the hybrid analysis, Vincentric assumed 15,000 annual miles driven over five years. The hybrid report uses U.S. averages, although states can be selected for a more specific analysis. Fuel prices are based on a weighted average over the previous five months.

The Changing Equation
The hybrid/internal combustion engine (ICE) cost differential is an ever-changing equation. Wild swings in fuel prices are a major factor, as are available tax credits and rebates, which expired for all hybrid models on Jan. 1, 2011. New government incentives concentrate on plug-in hybrids and electric cars.

In looking at Business Fleet Magazine’s hybrid analyses using Vincentric data over the years, starting in the 2006 model year, hybrids have not closed the pricing gap with their traditional ICE-powered counterparts. In this latest analysis of 27 hybrid models, Vincentric’s data shows the average price premium for a hybrid is $8,494. Mitigated by an average fuel cost savings of $3,505 and taking into account other costs, the average cost of ownership for hybrids is $4,643 more than the straight gas models.

Nonetheless, four hybrids have total costs of ownership that are lower than their ICE cousins (see the “Hybrid Total Cost Differentials” chart).[PAGEBREAK]

One of those — the Mercury Milan hybrid — is no longer on the market. It should be noted as well that Vincentric compares the Honda Insight to the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius to the Toyota Corolla, which aren’t exactly “apples-to-apples.”

The lists show that lifecycle costs for luxury hybrids can swing wildly when compared to their gas-only counterparts. Some models, such as the Lincoln MKZ hybrid and Lexus hybrids, fare well, while others, such as the VW Touareg Hybrid and BMW X6 ActiveHybrid, have prohibitive cost differentials.

A Hybrid Surprise
Among the obvious and popular names on the list, one less recognized hybrid stands out — the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Lincoln might not be the first automaker that comes to mind for hybrids, yet its MKZ fuel sipper returns the best cost of ownership differential over its gas-only brother. It’s not hard to understand why, as the MKZ hybrid is offered at the same price as the standard MKZ. This hybrid also offers the most fuel economy savings of any hybrid-ICE vehicle in the report.

The Lincoln MKZ hybrid also fared well in the Union of Concerned Scientists’ latest “Hybrid Scorecard,” winning many categories. The scorecard analyzes the hybrids that deliver the most environmental savings combined with the best cost and feature benefits to consumers.
The MKZ Hybrid bests all others in the Environmental Improvement Score, is only one of three vehicles given the Superior Value rating and is not listed as having any “forced features.”

All in all, analyzing hybrids’ lifecycle numbers is a worthy task to see which vehicles return the best bang for their buck. The endeavor should make you take a look at some hybrids you never would have considered.

For industry reports and costs of ownership data for more than 2,000 vehicles configurations, visit www.vincentric.com.