Today as customers we have abundant choices
when it comes to buying a car. We can select a hybrid in nearly
all segments, including Sedans, SUVs and luxury cars and engine
size – v4 to v6.
According to the most recent update of the J.D. Power and
Associates Automotive Forecasting Services Hybrid-Electric
Vehicle Outlook.SM on 4th January 2006 -The hybrid-electric
vehicle market has grown from two models and fewer than 10,000
vehicles sold in 2000 to 11 models and an estimated 212,000
vehicles sold in 2005. They predict - U.S. hybrid-electric
vehicle sales volumes to grow by 268 percent between 2005
and 2012. That is a growth from approximately 212,000 vehicles
in 2005 to 780,000 by 2012.
With increase in fuel prices and concerns over the environment
more people are motivated to select alternative energy driven
cars. The fuel efficiency still remains as a primary reason
for the purchase. Let’s discuss five main reasons why
you should buy a hybrid car.
Fuel efficiency
This is the major factor why the hybrids are being considered.
All the hybrids that are currently available give an average
10 – 20 miles per gallon more as against the regular
gas EPA estimate. This means the hybrid car or SUV would require
fewer trips to the gas stations reducing your total fuel bill.
It saves fuel when idling as it does not use the gasoline
engine instead it shifts to use the electric motor and batteries.
Hybrids vehicles use regenerative braking to recover energy
every time you hit your brakes and transfer it back to the
battery.
Tax benefits
As of January 2006 the federal government is offering tax
breaks on a newly purchased hybrid car. Many of the states
are also planning to introduce such tax breaks. There is no
standard tax deduction that each and every hybrid car owner
can use. There is a complicated formula provided by the IRS
to evaluate your tax break depending upon the car you own.
Remember the deduction is only a one time claim in the purchase
year. There are certain restrictions too, such as:
• Purchase and take delivery of a
qualifying vehicle on or after Jan. 1, 2006.
• Purchase the vehicle new, not used.
• Purchase the vehicle with the intention of using
it, not re-selling it.
Low emission
As the hybrid car has low a consumption of fuel, it burns
lesser fuel and therefore causing fewer emissions. Hybrid
vehicles are known to reduce emission by 90%.
Engine efficiency
Hybrid vehicles have two engines: electric and combustion.
These engines are smaller in size and are made from light-weight
material which improves the efficiency of the engine.
Car design
The hybrids vehicles are incorporating aerodynamic design
to reduce drag. The reduced frontal area helps reduces the
drag on the car when it moves through the air. With the increase
in the popularity of the hybrids, you can purchase them with
the conventional designs or you can select newer models and
designs.
The tires are low rolling and made of unique resistant rubber,
which reduces friction on the road.
