Ok, let's factor the whole picture. The initial sticker price of the hybrid is higher than the gasoline only model. The consequences are higher sales tax upon purchase, higher total finance charges, higher annual registration costs in states that base registration of the current value of the car, higher insurance (collision) rates to cover the higher value owed to the bank if the car is destroyed before the end of the loan. I don't think we have enough experience to compare maintenance costs just yet. I suspect the replacement/repair costs are going to be higher for hybrids as they have a smaller production volume, thus they don't benefit from economy of scale enjoyed by the gasoline only model.
All of that extra cost needs to be offset by reduced fuel usage at a significantly higher price point than current gasoline prices over the life of the car. What is the break even price for gasoline for a nominal service life of 100,000 miles? Are hybrid owners happy to accept the current federal mileage reimbursement, or do they feel short changed?