A suburban taxi company is considering buying taxis with diesel engines instead of gasoline engines. The cars average 80,000 km a year. Use an annual cash flow analysis to determine the more 447 6-49 economical choice if interest is 6%.

Diesel engine taxis should be chosen.

Explanation:

Useful life  = 5 years

Annual distance covered = 80000 km

For a diesel car

Annual fuel cost = (80000/16)*.88 = $4400

Present value of total cost = vehicle cost + present value of the fuel cost + present value of annual repair cost + present value of annual premium – present value of resale value  

Present value of total cost = 24000 + 4400*(1-1/1.06^5)/.06 + 900*(1-1/1.06^5)/.06 + 1000*(1-1/1.06^5)/.06 - 4000/1.06^5

Present value of total cost = $47548.86

Let, uniform annual cost = EUAC1

Then,  EUAC1 = 47548.86/((1-1/1.06^5)/.06)

EUAC1 = $11287.93

For a gasoline car

Useful life = 4 years

Annual fuel cost = (80000/11)*.92 = $6690.91

Present value of total cost = vehicle cost + present value of the fuel cost + present value of annual repair cost + present value of annual premium – present value of resale value

Present value of total cost = 19000 + 6690.91*(1-1/1.06^4)/.06 + 700*(1-1/1.06^4)/.06 + 1000*(1-1/1.06^4)/.06 - 6000/1.06^4

Present value of total cost = $43322.83            

Let, uniform annual cost = EUAC2

Then,  EUAC2 = 43322.83/((1-1/1.06^4)/.06)                          

EUAC2 = $12502.6

Conclusion: The diesel engine taxis should be chosen because it offers relatively lower uniform annual cost compared to the gasoline engine taxis

cognitive overload: having a lot on your mind impairs decision-making and tends to result in the simplest, but not necessarily best, option being selected.

empathy gaps: overlooking how you might feel in a different situation can result in unnecessary purchases, such as overbuying when shopping for food on an empty stomach.

optimism and overconfidence: wearing rose-tinted glasses and having unrealistic expectations about the future can affect money management and leave you unprepared for a change in circumstance.

instant gratification: seeking instant gratification drives impulsive spending and can undermine long-term planning and savings.

harmful habits: automatic or mindless behaviour can amplify a poor financial decision as it becomes a recurring event.

social norms: we are heavily influenced by the actions of others; while this can be in certain circumstances, it also contributes to the pressure to keep up with the joneses through conspicuous consumption.