Concerned about high gas prices? Want to do your bit to cut down on emissions and help the environment? Take a look at hybrid cars.
Hybrid cars run on both a gas engine and an electric motor. The energy used by the motors is stored in rechargeable batteries. Because the car is able to partially use electricity, it will consume less gasoline. A computer decides whether or not the car uses gasoline or electricity. Hybrid cars maximize efficiency and adhere to the same comfort and safety standards of conventional cars.
A hybrid car starts quietly. Some models, like Toyotas and Ford hybrids, will stay in all-electric mode until 15 mph. These cars can even run solely on electricity until 30 mph, as long as the driver accelerates very slowly. At low speeds, the cars can run on pure electricity.
Maintaining a hybrid car will not cost more than a conventional car. In fact, it may even cost less because of reduced wear and tear on the braking system. Brands such us Toyota and Honda offer an 80,000 to 100,000 mile warranty on emission components and battery pack. Hondo offers the warranty in addition to its traditional 3 year or 36,000-mile warranty on a conventional car.
Some people are concerned that hybrid cars may easily freeze or heat up. There have been reports of a hybrid Toyota Prius in Alaska that suffered a frozen and damaged battery pack - but this was at 56 degrees below zero. Hybrid car technicians say that nickel metal hydride batteries can take heat up to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
To be sure, there are still cons to buying a hybrid car. Naysayers say that these cars are not yet that energy-efficient. Hybrid cars also discourage owners from driving fast - at a high speed the car will consume more gas than electricity. Hybrid cars also pale next to conventional cars when it comes to attaining top speeds. The battery life and the cost of buying a new one is another strike against hybrid cars.
Many governments however are encouraging the production of hybrid cars. In Japan for example, Honda is phasing out the gas-powered Civic, a popular model, for the hybrid version. These cars will be available in 2011. The United States offers tax incentives to owners of hybrid cars. Tax credits from $900 to over $3000 are available for people who buy hybrid cars, depending on the model.
The top-selling model in the United States is the Toyota Prius. Overall, hybrid cars were expected to sell about 250,000 units in 2009. There were over 20 hybrid models available on the market.
Now that you know all about hybrid cars, it's time to decide whether or not you want your next car to be a hybrid. Do your research carefully before buying a hybrid car. Whether or not you buy one, hybrid cars are sure to be around for quite some time. As the years go by, hybrid technology is sure to improve. Who knows, hybrid cars just might be the cars of the future.
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