While one manufacturer gained a lot of publicity for bringing out first one then a line of hybrid cars, there are now hybrids on sale from Honda, Ford, VW, Mazda, Chevy, Kia, BMW, Nissan, Mercedes, Suzuki, Hyundai, and others – as well as Toyota. There’s an equal amount of variety in models: small cars, mid-sized sedans, vans, SUVs, pick-up trucks, luxury cars: all come in hybrid models. Most people in the market for a vehicle can find a hybrid to suit their needs. There’s one part of buying a hybrid that most consumers overlook: the possibility of buying a used hybrid car.

Because they are so new to the market, relatively speaking, many people think they have to go to the dealership and pay the price for a new hybrid car. But that is not so. Some hybrid owners, just like the owners of gasoline-only cars, like to turn over their car every year or two for a newer model. This puts high-quality hybrids with low mileage into the marketplace – and brings them within the price range of many thrifty people. In considering the purchase of a used hybrid car, use the same approach you would for any hybrid car.

Do your homework about the particular hybrid technology of the car you are considering buying. Look online for reviews or reports – positive and negative – about the vehicle. If possible, either buy from a dealership’s used car department or verify that the car was thoroughly checked by a mechanic who is familiar with that line of hybrid cars. Some people fear that a used hybrid will have batteries that are depleted or will wear out. Some hybrids have warranties on the batteries of ten years or more – so you can use the car for years while the batteries are still under warranty. Don’t let this myth hold you back from your purchase of a used hybrid car: it is bogus.

Because of the great diversity of hybrid cars, start your shopping on the internet, where you can explore the styles and the specifications of several manufacturers’ cars at once. Then check out the makes you like at a dealer’s used car lot, or watch the classified ads to see if your desired vehicle shows up. You may be able to save thousands of dollars off the sticker price, get the benefit of higher gas mileage, and contribute to the environment, all by considering a used hybrid car.

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.

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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.

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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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What else would one expect though from an industry that has made millions and experienced the popularity of the SUVs and the pickup trucks. Why design eco friendly cars that runs on a different power source when the ones that they are building are selling like hotcakes?

It’s now time for the big three to start rolling out the hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are going to increase the fuel efficiency of the same models by about 40%. I’m sure they can do a lot better than that, but its a start. Which is something that’s been overdue for many years.

General Motors and Ford have been saying that they have the hybrid vehicles available in the same popular models that everyone has been buying for the last few years.

The question is though, Is this a little too late? The economy has taken a beaten in the last year and who really knows how long we’ll be in this situation. Hybrid vehicles cost more than the conventional models, but compared to how much you’ll save over the years on gas, it well worth it. Unfortunately people may not have the means to buy a new vehicle for  some time and who knows if the American automakers can make it until the economy turns around.

Another question to ask is if no one is buying the hybrid vehicles over the next two years, are they going to think that no one wants them or are they going to think that it’s the condition of the economy. Will they stop making them because of the lack of sales?

We’ll just have to wait and see, but if you are going to buy a used vehicle, you might want to look at these used hybrid models.