To Hybrid or Not…

Ever-increasing frustrations over high gas prices are further stoked and stroked by commercials for cars that offer a good number of miles per gallon. The best of all these are, of course, hybrid cars. And in addition to saving their drivers money, hybrids also bear the added benefit of lower emissions. So with the rise in the number of hybrid models and the decrease in price, why aren’t more of them on the road?

I’ve discovered that many people have the great misfortune of not understanding just what a hybrid car is. So let’s see what we might be able to clarify. The gasoline-electric hybrid car is the most common and it is exactly what its name implies; gas is usually used to give the car its “get up ‘n go” while the electric power is used to maintain, more or less, cruising speeds. Hybrid cars get at least 300 miles between refueling, although most get more. In fact, Toyota’s Prius gets up to 650 miles per tank of gas! That’s 60/51 MPG as compared to the Avalon’s 22/31 MPG.

One common myth about hybrid cars is that they have to be plugged in to “recharge”. Wrong! Hybrid cars do not need to be plugged in, although those who wish for such a model may soon be satisfied with an option DaimlerChrysler is currently developing.

Another myth is that one must sell their firstborn child to be able to afford a hybrid car. Wrong again! The Honda Insight has a starting price of roughly $19,000 and boasts an average of 60 MPG. Sure, that may be more expensive than a Chevy Cavalier, but after one factors in the price of gas and the like, the end numbers will be about equal.

Now that I’ve debunked the two myths I’ve encountered most, let’s move on to motivation. Why should someone buy a hybrid? Well, there is the warm and fuzzy feeling you can get from knowing you’re doing your part to minimalize mankind’s negative impact on the environment. However, if that and the diminished dent in your wallet are not enough, perhaps it’ll help to know that many local and regional areas offer incentives such as tax credits. Some cities and states even offer exemption on sales tax on the purchase of a hybrid, certain vehicle inspection responsibilities, and parking meter fees. This differs from state to state, of course, so feel free to look into your local area’s treatment of hybrid cars and their drivers.

So now we have not one or two, but three good reasons to go hybrid. Who wouldn’t want to save money on gas, help the environment, or take advantage of the multiple incentives the government (and even some corporations) hand hybrid drivers? Moreover, an increase in the demand for hybrid cars may help fuel the research for alternative energy sources. Gas won’t be around forever. Why not nip that in the bud?

So drive well today for a better tomorrow.

Disclaimer: I must admit that I do not drive a hybrid car. Yet. I need a job first. Until then, however, I shall continue to walk and carpool. Thus I cover my ass and shirk the label of hypocrisy. Yay!