Fleet Owners Realizing Savings from Hybrids

A study from Pike Research found that global sales of hybrid electric vehicles to commercial and government fleets will grow 17.5% annually through 2015, passing 740,000 sales per year.

Fleet managers can improve fuel economy by 5%–40% by replacing vehicles with hybrids, according to the report, and lower emissions by 10%–50%. The fuel savings pay for the higher initial cost for the hybrid vehicles in most locations, but the study notes that low fuel prices in some areas may reduce those savings. In places with low fuel prices, tax incentives and grants may make the switch to hybrids worthwhile.