| Many people are looking into buying a hybrid to save | | | | should be looked into a bit closer - a diesel hybrid. With |
| the environment from the gas guzzling cars, old trucks, | | | | a diesel hybrid, it is more likely that even more |
| and other pollutants that are slowing devouring our | | | | emissions would be lower. One such example is the |
| atmosphere or at least punching holes in the "ozone". | | | | Daimler Chrysler hybrid transit bus. |
| When you do look at hybrids the Toyota Prius and the | | | | What is known about hybrid vehicles is that there are |
| Honda Civic are very attractive since they are smaller | | | | not extra maintenance costs, the speed is pretty |
| cars and you know that with a smaller gasoline engine | | | | normal in most cases; the batteries last as long as the |
| and an electric motor that of course you will be cutting | | | | hybrid car does, prices for reselling are still strong, and |
| down on emissions. These types of hybrids are great | | | | they do not have problems in cold weather or snow. |
| if you doing most of your driving in small areas such as | | | | The return on your investment with a electric vehicle |
| cities and are not out on the open road and of course | | | | may not be what you think, according to some |
| if you do not need a big vehicle. However, if you do | | | | research it could take you between 5 and 10 years to |
| quite a bit of driving and are out on the open road you | | | | get yourself ahead of where you would be buying a |
| may need to look at the Ford Escape or the Mercury | | | | gas vehicle. . |
| Mariner. These two are bigger vehicles that will give | | | | If you also have the idea, that the numbers you see on |
| you more comfort with city fuel economy of around | | | | the sticker for the EPA are accurate then you may be |
| 30 mpg. On average, all types of hybrid vehicles are | | | | mistaken. The numbers listed are almost always in a |
| around $1,000 more than their counterpart that uses | | | | best case situation. The way you drive your car and |
| only a gasoline engine. | | | | even the road conditions will cause the EPA numbers |
| All over the world, you can see more and more car | | | | to fluctuate. Those numbers on the sticker are from |
| makers turning to hybrids The Japanese are ahead of | | | | research that was done with good road conditions, no |
| the rest. Americans are moving toward hybrids more | | | | speeding, no jackrabbit starts, and of course, no |
| models and other alternative fuel sources. The | | | | rushing through the caution light before the light turns |
| Germans are beginning to create gas/electric hybrids. | | | | red. If you want to see the same numbers then you |
| A matter of fact, during the Frankfurt Auto Show, | | | | must drive exactly like was done to perform the tests. |
| Mercedes, Audi, BMW and VW promised hybrids in | | | | Another reason not to buy a hybrid is the size. If you |
| their future. Both the Americans and German | | | | are a tall person then you may not be very |
| automakers have been introducing variable | | | | comfortable in a Prius. Some tall individuals have |
| displacement engines once again such as an 8- or | | | | complained about the interior not giving them enough |
| 6-cylinder engine that idles 2, 3, or 4 cylinders. | | | | headroom, while people of all sizes are not too thrilled |
| Hybrids do not excel on highway fuel economy. This is | | | | with the rear view visibility because of the hatchback |
| a known fact, that once out on the open road the | | | | design of the Pruis. |
| electric motor is no longer in use and you are back | | | | Today, there are many automakers now creating all |
| using that gasoline engine that is like the car you | | | | shapes and sizes of hybrid vehicles and we can only |
| owned before. However, diesel vehicles do very well | | | | hope or better yet demand to see more options in the |
| on highway fuel economy. This is one branch that | | | | future. |