To that end, the study compared only hybrids that had nonhybrid counterparts (meaning no Prius) such as the Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion -- 45 models in total. According to Wired.com:

"[The] crew looked at the typical selling price of a used hybrid so they could consider depreciation in the cost of ownership. ... including that data disproved the idea that higher resale values help offset the so-called 'premium hybrid' paid when the car is new.

"In determining the cost of ownership, they considered the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, the depreciation and the fuel cost of driving 12,000 miles annually. Then they compared the fuel economy of the hybrid and its conventional counterpart. The study examined only the economics of buying and owning a hybrid. There was no consideration given to any environmental benefits the cars might provide."

After all that, the study found that the average gas-electric costs $6,400 more to purchase, and $2,200 more to own and operate. Not only that, but automakers typically add on a list of standard features to hybrids -- at a price bump of almost three grand -- completely outside R&D costs. All told, less money at the pump does not make up for the fact that hybrids are far more expensive to own and operate, and unless you're getting a decent deal on the sale price and fuel savings of 30 percent or more (and even that's dubious) you're getting nowhere near the value of what you spend.

Read Wired's article here.