While it’s long been reported that hybrid and electric vehicles offer energy savings, the reported scientific results have been muddled. It seems every time you turn around, a new study has come out which depicts electric vehicles as either saviors or devils, and then the next week, these same studies find the opposite. This makes cutting through the hype all the more important, and by doing some research online, drivers can quickly find the real evidence behind hybrid and electric cars.

According to Bloomberg, electric vehicles may save drivers as much as $1,200 each year, but keep in mind that this figure is based on current gas prices. When the study was completed, gas prices averaged $3.50 per gallon, and as prices go up or down, these figures may change. Figures also involved government subsidies, which ultimately offset costs, so drivers should always be aware of actual market values before seeking to purchase a vehicle.

In the end, no matter the initial cost of an electric vehicle, it’s important to remember the ownership costs. Purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle may seem like a measure of cost savings, but in the end, it may end up costing more than you expect. While it’s true that electric cars and hybrids cost less in daily gasoline consumption, many are still unable to get the same mileage per charge that traditional internal combustion engines can get per gallon. This may mean that electric and hybrid vehicles can get more power in each individual charge, but they are often found to get fewer miles-per-gallon/charges comparatively.

All of this ultimately means that purchasing an electric vehicle may not add up when it comes to costs. While it’s true that the economy and gas prices remain unstable, drivers never know when things will turn around. Keep in mind that there was a time when owning and driving an SUV was not only fashionable, but it was affordable. No one knows when the economy will turn around, so it’s never a safe bet to turn away from traditional technology until it has obviously depleted itself.

In the meantime, drivers continue to purchase alternative-fuel vehicles in order to save on the cost of gas, and this trend only seems to have the potential to continue as more and more vehicle manufacturers’ market electric and hybrid vehicles. If you’re planning to purchase one of these vehicles, it’s important for you to compare the actual cost of ownership versus the cost of a traditional vehicle. Only then will you know exactly how much money you are saving.