Hybrid Cars: Should You Buy One?
The decision to purchase a hybrid vehicle boldly states that you are ready to start cleaning up your act in a carbon smiting economy. You shouldn’t be surprised about the sizable price tags on these relatively new and trendy vehicles. It may already be apparent that “going green” in many aspects requires a considerable amount of green from your bank account.
There are only a few factors to consider when purchasing a hybrid vehicle over a standard and not so environmentally friendly counterpart. If these vehicles are so much better for the environment then why aren’t they standard among the vehicle industry? Take note that purchasing a vehicle to clean up emissions isn’t necessarily the same thing as purchasing a more fuel efficient vehicle that can provide investment return. More expensive vehicles are expected to have more power, more space, and more luxury; perhaps a combination of all three.
However, spending more on a hybrid vehicle doesn’t get you more fuel economy. Dumping loads of cash into a fully accommodated hybrid vehicle doesn’t get your more MPG but instead more bells and whistles. Ford, Honda, and Toyota, are the leaders in producing cheap hybrid cars that reduce emissions and use less gas. Hybrid vehicles currently come standard with a moderately heavier price tag than their non-hybrid counterparts. It is important to remember that the considerably large price tag should be considered an investment. Take into consideration how much money you spend each year on fuel. Will obtaining a hybrid vehicle with higher MPG reduce your yearly fuel costs therefore giving you a return on your investment? If so, are you willing to sacrifice luxury, horsepower, and space to purchase an inexpensive hybrid model?
There certainly are eco friendly cars with the aforementioned accommodations but if you are trying to save and earn money from your investment, these luxury hybrids simply do not provide the same fuel economy that the mini hybrids boast. For example, the boxy little Toyota Prius offers a combined city/highway 50 MPG while the Lexus LS 600h (which costs more than $100,000) can only grasp 20 MPG. The expensive luxury brand hybrids only reduce emissions certainly not lower fuel costs. Inexpensive compact hybrids like the Toyota Prius, an award winning super MPG model, offer exceedingly high highway and city MPG and a likeable package. Toyota has been offering great fuel efficient cars at moderately low prices since the introduction of the Corolla in the late seventies. Now Toyota continues to lead the numbers game in cost, fuel efficiency, and safety.
The Ford Fusion has considerably less fuel efficiency but can run on ethanol/gas mixtures and is manufactured largely from recycled materials. Honda also makes a couple of notable hybrids in the lower price range but often drivers complain about their inability to perform on the road. Perhaps the market will see less costly vehicles with increased performance and accommodation. There may be a bright future for electric cars but currently they don’t provide enough power, require extensive charging, and expensive maintenance.
Solar power, for instance, requires an initial investment but may potentially prompt the power company to send you a monthly check. An inexpensive hybrid car must be able to pay you back while at the same time keeping the environment cleaner. If you desire more immediate feedback then plan on purchasing a car like the Prius which can save you hundreds of dollars on your gas bill each year. But you may also find a compromising hybrid vehicle that offers more room and speed with slightly less efficiency. Remember, more money doesn’t buy you more MPG but asserting competition among automakers will help revolutionize the industry.
Tags: automakers, Corolla, electric car, electric cars, ford, fuel economy, fuel efficiency, fuel efficient car, fuel efficient vehicle, Fusion, gas, Honda, Hybrid, hybrid car, Hybrid Cars, hybrid model, hybrid vehicle, hybrid vehicles, hybrids, Lexus, toyota, Toyota PriusRelated posts
Eco Friendly Cars
Eco friendly cars, despite the primary concerns of demographics and pricing issues, have seemed to form a niche in the American auto industry. Cars such as the first generation Honda Insight (2000-2006) and the first generation Toyota Prius (1997-2001) were the pioneers of the hybrid movement, with millions of people finally viewing such cars with interest and appreciation. Demographics were an initial concern but that has changed in recent years.
Fuel economy became a concern for SUVs after a time period of where bulky and heavy people movers were bought without a thought of what it would cost the Earth in the future. After the ending of the heavy SUV trend, a new issue of how to save money emerged. Partially due to the economic recession, car companies of all kinds have either partnered up to work on future models (Chrysler/Fiat/Mercedes-Benz) or have deleted some of their own brands in the hopes of rebuilding itself (GM). Ford’s EcoBoost technology promises to deliver the power of a V8 with the fuel efficiency of a V6. Cars equipped with the engine option have been limited to the Ford Flex but the technology will be introduced in the Explorer, Fusion and F-150.
Another company that has taken the reigns of the eco-friendly movement is Volkswagen, a company already known for its diesel powered automobiles. The company has taken steps to improve its efficiency by designing smaller engines (used with sister companies Audi and Porsche) and using lighter structural designs to decrease weight and increase efficiency. Results of the changes have been seen in the newly redesigned Porsche Cayenne and Audi A4.
Both cars have been redesigned using a lighter structure, the Porsche using different engines to improve the first generations downfall. Audi has increased the fuel efficiency of the A4 by using a more rigid design and by using a more aerodynamic body. Increases in coefficient drag (Cd) result in the vehicle using less power to “glide” through the air, allowing the driver to use keep a constant speed (or less) to improve their car’s mileage.
Although the car industry has been hit in the last decade, the downturn has only inspired new ideas. With the introduction of EV’s (electric vehicles) such as the Chevy Volt and Mini Cooper E, drivers will have even more options to choose from. In the next decade, increases in North America’s EPA fuel economy standards and the introduction of the European Union’s Euro 5 standards, it will be interesting to see how customers and companies respond to the ever changing conditions of the automobile industry.
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