Advantages of Buying A Hybrid

Comedian George Carlin once quipped, "Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers."

Unfortunately, the solution to combatting rocketing pump prices isn't that simple, especially if you reside in the non-metric United States. But gas- and money-saving options do exist, mainly in the emerging form of hybrid vehicles.

If you are unfamiliar with what defines a hybrid just imagine Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the internal-combustion engine, bumping into Thomas Edison, inventor of electricity, underneath the hood of your car and combining their smarts to create a multi-dimensional engine. Instead of possessing only one means of propulsion, your vehicle engine would have two: gas and electricity. Thus, the name hybrid.

How Does a Hybrid Work?

The genius of the hybrid is that it employs a gasoline engine much like you would find in a conventional car, only it is smaller. The reduction in size and weight makes the vehicle more energy efficient.

In addition, it harbors a sophisticated electrical motor that stores power through "regenerative breaking." It's a revolutionary system that converts the energy lost when brakes are applied into energy used to recharge the car's batteries. This technology makes a hybrid car different from a standard electrical car, and you won't need to pack an extension cord and connect it to an outlet every night like an oversized cell phone.

The electrical motor and gasoline engine work in tandem, depending on the driving situation. For instance, while idling at a red light or in heavy traffic, the gasoline engine will automatically shut off and allow the vehicle to operate under electrical power. Or while driving up a hill the electrical motor will jump in to aid the gas engine. Both instances reduce the burning of fuel and help achieve the mind-bending gas mileage numbers hybrids are championed for.

A hybrid's state-of-the art design also adds to its efficiency. All are aerodynamically designed to reduce drag. That's why you see some hybrids with covered rear wheels. This isn't a style gimmick, but rather an aerodynamic trick to smooth the car's airflow and reduce wind drag.

And all hybrids feature low-rolling resistance tires. Compared to conventional tires they are stiffer and inflated to higher pressures so as to minimize energy-sucking drag.

Plus, hybrids feature lightweight materials like carbon fiber, aluminum, and magnesium. Lighter vehicles mean less energy to move them, which means less gas.

The Benefits of a Hybrid

Hybrids are in many ways like the Vitamin C of the auto world―both are packed with short- and long-term benefits. And while a hybrid won't prevent you from getting scurvy, it will greatly assist you financially and add to your environmental peace of mind.

Increased Mileage

This towers as a hybrid vehicle's foremost benefit. While most conventional cars average about 21 miles per gallon (with SUVs up to 17), some hybrids average a brain-staggering 60 miles per gallon.

To translate this into economic figures, if you were to drive from Portland, Oregon, to New York City it would cover 2,988 miles. In a conventional car that would equate to 142 gallons of gas at a cost of $426 (based on a standard of $3 per gallon). In a hybrid that averaged 60 miles per gallon, however, it would only consume 50 gallons at a cost of $150. That's a difference of $276 (compared to an SUV you would save $378).

Reduced Emissions

Hybrids can reduce smog-seeding pollutants by up to 90 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent. To achieve these greenhouse-friendly numbers, hybrids utilize high-tech emission reduction technologies like advanced hydrocarbon absorbing units, vapor-reducing fuel tanks, and top-notch catalytic converters.

Low Depreciation

A hybrid's low depreciation rate combined with high demand allows it to enjoy a high resale value.

Incentives

Many states are now offering tax and convenience incentives for all hybrids. Some of these include:

• California: Hybrid car owners are given the green light to use carpool lanes and, in some cities such as San Jose and Los Angeles, are allowed to park for free.

• Colorado: Hybrid car owners receive income tax credits up to $4,713.

• Connecticut: People who purchase any hybrid car with a fuel economy rating of more than 40 miles per gallon are not charged a sales tax on the vehicle.

• New Jersey: Hybrid owners are given the okay to drive on the New Jersey Turnpike's high occupancy (HOV) lanes regardless of how many people are in the car.

• Oregon: Offers tax rebates of up to $1,500 to all new hybrid owners.

• Texas: In Austin, new hybrid owners are issued a $100 pre-paid parking card good for any one of the capital city's 3,700 parking meters.

• Utah: Provides access to HOV lanes, an income tax credit and free metered parking in Salt Lake City for vehicles that top 50 miles per gallon.

• Washington: Hybrids that exceed 50 miles per gallon are free from emissions control inspections.

This, obviously, is only a small listing. Many states offer similar incentives, while others have bills pending legislative approval.

The Current Market

As of January 2006, the following hybrids can be found at dealerships across the country (the first figure represents miles per gallon in city driving; second respresents highway driving):

• Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid―18/21

• Ford Escape Hybrid―36/31

• GMC Sierra Hybrid―18/21

• Honda Accord Hybrid―30/37

• Honda Civic Hybrid―49/51

• Honda Insight―60/66

• Lexus RX Hybrid―33/28

• Mercury Mariner Hybrid―33/29

• Toyota Highlander Hybrid―33/28

• Toyota Prius―60/51