If you’re like most South Florida drivers, you spend 7 to 10 hours per week and a lot of gas in your car or SUV commuting and running personal errands. With pump prices rising to historically high levels, consider a more fuel-efficient vehicle at Tropical Financial Credit Union’s “Spring Car Sale.” It will be held April 18-19 at its Miramar branch.
A hybrid can save you several hundred dollars a year on fuel compared with a similar gas‑only vehicle. While that new or used vehicle will likely have a higher price, you can make up the difference in just a few years. Here’s how:
According to recent Federal Highway Administration–based estimates, U.S. drivers now average about 13,600 miles per year. In South Florida, the figure is closer to 14,000 miles. Nationwide, the current average price of mid‑grade (89‑octane) gasoline was about $4.62 per gallon in early April.
Do hybrid vehicles really get better gas mileage?
Across mainstream models, a typical gas‑only car delivers around 33 miles per gallon in combined driving. A comparable non‑plug‑in hybrid averages about 45 miles per gallon, thanks to its ability to recapture braking energy and use an electric motor to assist the engine.
Some hybrids are more efficient, so be sure to ask a salesperson at the Spring Car Sale for the exact figures for local and highway driving on the vehicle you are considering.
Is a hybrid a better buy than a gas-only vehicle?
Based on the gas mileage figures, a gas-only vehicle uses 424 gallons of gas per year. At $4.40 per gallon, the annual cost is $1,886.
By comparison, a hybrid consumes 311 gallons of fuel, a savings of almost $500 per year.
Car price surveys indicate that you’ll pay an extra $1,375 for a new hybrid. You’ll make that amount back in two years and 10 months through lower fuel costs.
The story is pretty much the same for used vehicles 2 to 4 years old. The price premium for hybrids is nearly identical, as is the difference in miles per gallon. Considered together, the payback period for a used hybrid is around 3 years.
Is a hybrid a better deal if you keep your car for a long time?
Yes. The typical buyer of a new or used vehicle keeps it for 10 years, according to a 2024 S&P Global Mobility report. That translates into about seven more years of gas savings.
What about scheduled maintenance costs? The two types of vehicles cost about the same to care for: 7 cents per mile for gas-only cars and 8 cents per mile for hybrids.
Ways to save on gas, whether you buy a gas-only or a hybrid vehicle
- Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and can cut fuel economy by several percentage points, whether you drive a hybrid or a gas‑only vehicle.
- Drive smoothly and ease off the throttle. Gentle acceleration, maintaining steady speeds, and anticipating stops help traditional and hybrid automobile systems operate within their most efficient range.
- Lighten the cargo load and reduce airflow drag. Removing unused roof racks or cargo boxes and clearing heavy clutter from the trunk reduces aerodynamic drag and weight, improving mileage across all vehicle types.
Save even more by reaching for your Tropical Financial Daily Rewards debit card every time you fill up. Earn 2 cents per tap or swipe on an account with no monthly service fee or minimum balance requirement.
