Hybrid hysteria: the real deal on energy-saving cars.Gas prices still have you down? Thought about trading in your car for something that gets better mileage? Maybe you're environmentally conscious and have considered getting rid of your car altogether. Wherever you fit in, a hybrid may be the answer for you. Introduced to the U.S. in 1997, hybrids use both a gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor. Once the car of choice among environmentally conscious consumers, hybrids are gaining in popularity among mainstream car buyers. Fans of the HBO Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) A form of oxygen therapy in which the patient breathes oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Mentioned in: Ozone Therapy series Curb Your Enthusiasm are already familiar with the popular Toyota Prius The Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric vehicle developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation, and one of the first such vehicles to be mass-produced and marketed. The Prius first went on sale in Japan in 1997, and worldwide in 2001. . Other best-selling models include the Honda Insight The Honda Insight was a two-seater hybrid automobile manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda. It was the first mass-produced hybrid automobile sold in the United States, introduced in 1999 and at its height achieved nearly 70 miles per gallon (3.4 L per 100 km). and DaimlerChrysler's Dodge Ram
The Ram is a full-size pickup truck from Chrysler LLC's Dodge brand. The name was first used in 1981 on the redesigned Ram and Power Ram, though it came from the hood ornament used on hybrid pick-up, a dream for contractors. The sporty sport·y adj. sport·i·er, sport·i·est 1. Appropriate for sport or participation in sports. 2. Exhibiting sportsmanship; sporting. 3. Flashy; jazzy. Prius was the fastest-selling hybrid last year, spending an average of two days on dealers' lots. Anthony Pratt Anthony Pratt may be:
But as auto manufacturers rush to increase output, are these gas-electric vehicles really worth it? The most obvious benefits are fuel economy and efficiency. Hybrids release lower tailpipe tail·pipe n. The pipe through which exhaust gases from an engine are discharged. Also called exhaust pipe. tailpipe Noun a pipe from which exhaust gases are discharged, esp. emissions and boast better gas mileage Noun 1. gas mileage - the ratio of the number of miles traveled to the number of gallons of gasoline burned fuel consumption rate, gasoline mileage, mileage ratio - the relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient) . Moreover, some insurance carriers perceive hybrid owners as responsible and valuable customers. St. Paul St. Paul as a missionary he fearlessly confronts the “perils of waters, of robbers, in the city, in the wilderness.” [N.T.: II Cor. 11:26] See : Bravery Travelers Insurance, for instance, offers nationwide discounts to all hybrid customers, and Farmers Insurance Group offers discounts to California residents who own hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicles. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. auto research firm R.L. Polk & Co., California boasts over 25,000 registered hybrid owners, more than any other state. The roads are also becoming more inviting to hybrids. In some states, hybrid drivers can access carpool car·pool n. also car pool 1. An arrangement whereby several participants or their children travel together in one vehicle, the participants sharing the costs and often taking turns as the driver. 2. lanes regardless of the number of passengers."State governments assume hybrid owners are more responsible, safer drivers," says Jeff Fortson, an Atlanta-based automotive consultant, facilitator, and editor of www.jeffcars.com. Also, under the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005, individuals who own clean-fuel or alternative-fuel vehicles may qualify for a one-time tax break (see www.irs.gov). But for all the benefits of owning a hybrid, many are wondering just how economical these environmentally friendly Environmentally friendly, also referred to as nature friendly, is a term used to refer to goods and services considered to inflict minimal harm on the environment.[1] cars are. Less trips to the gas pump should translate into more money in your wallet. But the typical hybrid costs $3,000 more than non-hybrid vehicles ($5,000 to $6,000 more for hybrid versions of luxury vehicles and SUVs). To recover the extra cost, consumers would have to save $400 to $600 a year in gas for a period of eight years. A self-recharging battery suggests hybrids require less maintenance than conventional vehicles. Yet, when there are mechanical issues, owners fare better by taking their cars to a dealer for service, as local mechanics are often less knowledgeable about the electrical underpinnings of hybrids. Some auto manufacturers, however, offer lengthier warranties (80,000 to 100,000 miles) on their hybrids' emission components and battery pack, compared to the traditional three-year/36,000 mile warranty. Many car buyers base decisions largely on a car's performance and the Environmental Protection Agency's calculations for gas mileage. Miles per gallon Noun 1. miles per gallon - the distance traveled in a vehicle powered by one gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel unit, unit of measurement - any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange; "the dollar is the United States unit of estimates for city driving are sometimes overestimated by as much as 30% for hybrids. So, buyers expecting 60 MPG will be disappointed with a vehicle that may only get 45 MPG. "Satisfaction is related to expectations," says Pratt. Overall, hybrids, like other vehicles, have their pros and cons pros and cons Noun, pl the advantages and disadvantages of a situation [Latin pro for + con(tra) against] . For Pratt, there's little doubt that they represent the wave of the future. "There is an increased demand for fuel-efficient vehicles," he says. "Hybrid technology is just one way to achieve this."
The Real Cost of
Hybrids vs. Non-Hybrids
Avg. Annual Gas Annual Gas
Model mpg * Cost ** Savings MSRP
2005 4 Cylinder 33 $1,036 -- $15,460
Honda Hybrid 47 $728 $308 $21,450
Civic
2005 6 Cylinder 24 $1,426 -- $27,400
Honda Hybrid 32 $1,070 $356 $30,690
Accord
2006 4 Cylinder 22 $1,556 -- $22,435
Ford Hybrid 31 $1,103 $453 $29,140
Escape
4WD
2006 6 Cylinder 21 $1,628 -- $28,445
Toyota Hybrid 29 $1,179 $449 $35,035
Highlander
4WD
Hybrid Break Even
Model Premium (Years) ***
2005 4 Cylinder -- --
Honda Hybrid $5,990 19.4
Civic
2005 6 Cylinder -- --
Honda Hybrid $3,290 9.2
Accord
2006 4 Cylinder -- --
Ford Hybrid $6,705 14.8
Escape
4WD
2006 6 Cylinder -- --
Toyota Hybrid $6,590 14.7
Highlander
4WD
* AVG. MPG IS THE COMBINED AVERAGE OF CITY AND HIGHWAY MPG.
** ANNUAL GAS COST IS BASED ON AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF 15.000 MILES
DRIVEN AND A NATIONAL GAS PRICE OF $228 PER GALLON FOR REGULAR FUEL AS
OF 2/13/2006.
** BREAK EVEN FIGURES ARE BASED ON THE HYBRID PREMIUM DIVIDED BY THE
ANNUAL GAS SAVINGS.
SOURCES: KELLEY BLUE BOOK AND FUELECONOMY.GOV
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