Going green in Thailand? Only if you can afford it

So you want to save the world and use less fuel in your car? Or are you just looking to cut down your consumption and save a few dollars at the pump? Think again because the initial cost of owning a hybrid in Thailand would put the “but the batteries do more damage to the environment” argument to shame.

Right, the technology is a step toward a longer-lasting solution, but car companies and the Thai government need to do more to make this technology attainable. Where do we begin…

Toyota Thailand currently offers three hybrids models–the Camry, Prius C and the Prius, in their various trim levels. The starting prices? A cool 1,199,000 baht (US$38,866) for the Prius, 1,399,000 baht (US$45,349) for the Prius C and 1,649,000 baht (US$53,452) for a Camry hybrid. Did you notice that the compact Prius C costs more than the regular, full-sized Prius?