Hybrid cars use half as much fuel as their petrol-only equivalents; a petrol engine is used to drive the wheels and to charge a large battery that powers an electric motor and in turn also drives the wheels. Hybrids cost around $3,500 more than an equivalent petrol car. This high price makes the economics questionable for owners who average 12,000 miles a year as it would mean a 12-year payback; nevertheless, hybrid sales are strong in the United States.In Europe, hybrid car sales have increased much more slowly. This is due in part to fuel taxes being much higher. The other factor is that European drivers have the option of buying diesel-engine-powered cars, which are almost as fuel efficient as hybrid cars. This possibility is denied to Americans because strict limits on particle emissions mean that diesel engines are effectively banned.
Question: An economic case for buying a hybrid car might be made in the United States but not in Europe.
Options:
A. true, B. false, C. uncertain
Answer: A