Pros and Cons of Hybrid Cars
by SolveYourProblem.com

On the market in the United States since 1999, the hybrid car combines a battery-assisted electric motor with a gasoline engine. These increasingly popular and extremely fuel efficient automobiles ingest less gas while also emitting fewer pollutants than the standard auto engine. Will the popularity of the hybrid car last? That is the question on the minds of auto makers and car aficionados alike. To determine the answer, one must consider both the pros and the cons of the hybrid car.

The hybrid car is a perfect choice for anyone concerned with environmental issues. Research shows that certain hybrid models produce 90 percent fewer dangerous pollutants than a conventional gasoline engine. This decrease in emissions is largely due to the vehicle’s design. Hybrids’ can also greatly reduce smog pollution, with the total deduction percentage towering over the national average. Many also like the fact that hybrid vehicles combine the best of both automobile worlds. The cleaner energy of an electric motor with the sustaining long-lasting power of the gasoline engine is provided in a hybrid vehicle. This winning combination produces a car that is highly fuel efficient, and can save up to 30 miles per gallon more than a standard non-hybrid auto. Less fuel consumption equals fewer harmful pollutants. Unfortunately, the hybrid car can never achieve total emission-free status due to their internal combustion engines.

The smaller engine of the hybrid car has proven to be far more efficient than that of a conventional vehicle. This is a big plus for many. Most standard vehicles require a large engine to supply enough power for acceleration. However, with smaller hybrid engines, this is not the case. The efficiency in these engines can be improved by using smaller and lighter engine parts. A smaller engine does not have to use the added energy that a larger one uses in cases of extreme acceleration. A smaller engine also makes for a more compact car, a feature that attracts many potential hybrid owners. This engine and lighter materials also make an automobile that weighs quite a bit less than your average non-hybrid vehicle.

Buy a hybrid, get a tax break. Now that can increase popularity on any car! The federal government is offering tax cuts to those who purchase hybrid cars through the year 2006. The amount of tax deduction you will receive depends on a number of factors. The tax bracket you are in, and the years you file are some things that are considered. The government began these deductions with a one-time cut of $2,000 in 2003. In the year 2004, the average tax cut was $1,500, in 2005 the cut will be $1,000, and in the final year, 2006, the average deduction will be $500.

The hybrid vehicle does come with some disadvantages. The steep price tag is the biggest complaint for most hybrid buyers. Be prepared to pay an average of $4,000 to $6,000 more than a conventional non-hybrid car. The average manufacturers suggested retail price for the basic model hybrid runs about $20,000. Owners can save up to 50 percent on fuel, however. The high cost is mostly due to the extremely expensive battery that hybrids use for power, and the current high demand for the hybrid car. Most hybrid batteries range from $1,000 to $3,000 with some exceeding $8,000. The battery is covered under the car’s warranty, but once it is expired, it is entirely up to the owner to deal with this pricey piece of equipment.

Hybrid vehicles can be rather difficult to find in some areas. In the beginning of the hybrid vehicle, car manufacturers did not want to produce the automobiles in large quantities until there was a large demand. Most consumers do not want to buy an automobile until they see them, and that is what generally generates demand. So, it takes awhile for new cars to debut on the market. With the popularity of the hybrid increasing at a steady rate, many waiting lists have been created for various makes and models of this now favored car. Some lists range anywhere from two to eight months. As the production of these vehicles increase, so will their appearance at car dealerships across the country.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007

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