Prius vs. Volt

General Motors unveiled the Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid that they claim will get 230 miles a gallon. Well, check out this article on CNNMoney comparing the cost of a Volt, including the cost of electricity to charge the battery, versus the cost to own and fuel a Toyota Prius. Turns out that, even with a $7,500 tax credit available to Volt buyers, the Volt is more expensive over the long haul.

The article also notes that the Prius is more expensive to own than the average compact gasoline-powered car. But what it doesn't account for is the fact that many Prius (or other hybrid) owners buy their cars not just for the improved mileage, but because it reduces carbon emissions. Volts would do the same thing, but at a cost of about $40,000, it could be a prohibitive factor.

Of course, I'm not ignorant of the fact that manufacturing the Prius batteries have an impact on emissions, but industrial emitters are better equipped (and forced by the government) to control those emissions.