Payback For Many Hybrids Grows As Gas Costs Rise:

Higher demand has stiffened sales prices for hybrids and other cars and crossover SUVs with decent fuel economy while dealers and manufacturers are discounting less-efficient conventional gasoline models to try to move them off the lots.

That boosts the difference between the retail price of a hybrid and the equivalent gasoline model in a manufacturer’s lineup, and makes it harder for the hybrid to earn back its price premium from fuel savings alone.

The pointer is from the new RFF Library Blog, a great resource for new studies and reports, particularly from government sources.