While it’s common to evaluate cars based on their cost, and hybrids and diesels do tend to cost more than gas-powered cars, even when fuel savings are taken into account, when value retention (higher resale value) is taken into account, these alternative-fueled vehicles come out on top.

The researchers at Carnegie Mellon compared the Volkswagen Jetta TDI with the Jetta 5C and 4C, the Toyota Prius with the gasoline-powered Toyota Camry,the Honda Civic Hybrid and standard versions, and the Mercedes-Benz E320 diesel with the E350 (gas powered). The Jetta TDI and Toyota Prius were the clear winners in the comparison study, retaining the greatest portion of their original purchase prices.

Data for the resale value was based on auction prices provided by Manheim Auctions, and was based on vehicles sold after three years of ownership. The project was underwritten by the diesel technology firm Bosch, and conducted by members of CMU’s Tepper School of Business. It was clear that Bosch wanted to prove that clean diesel is a wise choice for consumers, but the study confirmed that hybrids provide a similar resale benefit, as well. This was especially evident based on data from the summer of 2008 when gas prices were at their highest, but still evident, though less so, when fuel prices dropped in 2009.

This year, prices for both diesel and gasoline fuel are rising again, and are predicted to continue creeping upward over the next few years. This trend lends credence to the economic argument for fuel efficiency as a desirable feature that will help a car retain its future resale value.

Take a look:

Speaking at an event on February 5 to promote the all-electric Nissan Leaf, Houston mayor Annise Parker said, “We are the Petro Metro, but we are also a car city. To have an electric vehicle that appeals to a car culture will make the real difference for market penetration.”

The Leaf, a five-passenger vehicle that can travel 100-miles on a single charge, hopes it will be that car, not just for Houston, but for other cities like San Francisco, that are actively forging alliances with car makers and power companies. These metropolitan areas don’t just want to bring EVs to their streets, they want to see electric charging stations to their street corners.

In Houston, Nissan has brokered a deal with both the city and Reliant Energy to construct public charging stations. These efforts are key in overcoming the doubts of would-be buyers fearful of being stranded with no juice under the hood.

General Motors will be debuting its much-anticipated Chevrolet Volt later this year, and partnerships like the one Nissan has struck with the city of Houston could be key to the car’s success. The Houston metropolitan area has about 4.5 million cars and trucks ticking off approximately 86 driving miles a day.

Promoting the EVs in tandem with charging stations is a win/win for all concerned. Thanks to the recession, power utilities in the United States have seen demand drop off about 5% over the past two years. Widespread adoption of electric vehicles serves multiple masters:

• It gives the auto industry exciting new products.
• Electric vehicles cater to environmental concerns.
• EVs will help lessen our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.
• Charging stations will generate jobs in cities where they are located.
• Cities like Houston with air-quality problems will gain access to more federal funds if they can cut emissions.
• A new area of electrical use will reclaim some lost profits for the power utilities.

Critics of electrical vehicles have long pointed to the lack of infrastructure as a significant stumbling block to the cars’ practicality. Partnerships with cities and power companies who have their own problems to solve could make that criticism go away, and give products like the Leaf and the Volt the leg up they need to be real contenders in the world of alternative-powered vehicles.