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Panicked at the Pump? How About a Hybrid?
Gasoline prices in the United States have skyrocketed in the last few years. Many parts of the country have seen the price of gas rise as much as $0.15 in a single day! Only about five years ago, gasoline hovered around $2.00, the increase in recent years has been nearly unprecedented. All of this would not be nearly so much of a concern except for America's near-total dependence on gasoline. Outside of a few major metropolitan areas, it can be very difficult to get by without a car. Bicycling is of course an option for some, but in many areas it is simply impossible during winter due to inclement weather.
Fortunately, hybrids have become more widely available in the last few years, coinciding with the drastic rise in gasoline prices. Hybrid vehicles are in something of a short supply at present; they are turning out to be far more popular than anticipated by auto manufacturers. Many consumers are on long waiting lists to buy a hybrid vehicle. Although environmentalism may be a factor for some, more likely than not the price of gasoline is the prime cause behind the explosive growth in hybrid sales.
A hybrid does use some gasoline of course. Hybrid vehicles have both an electric motor and a small internal combustion (e.g. gasoline powered) engine. Both energy sources are used much more efficiently than would be the case in a standard gas-fueled car. While driving, there is really no way to tell that you are behind the wheel of a hybrid as opposed to a standard automobile. However, the difference is readily apparent at the pump. Though hybrids tend to cost more than their non-hybrid cousins, the extra cost is quickly recouped in the form of savings on fuel.
The average hybrid driver spends less than $20 per week on gasoline. When you think about the dramatically higher mpg rating they have compared to ordinary cars, this makes sense. Though there is variance between different makes and models, on average a hybrid gets about 46 miles to the gallon. To compare, if your car gets 21 mpg you will spend about $8500 per year on gasoline. At 46 mpg, this figure drops to $3900. And of course, this is an average; some hybrids get up to 55 mpg!
Annually, the numbers certainly are impressive in favor of hybrids. However, there are three different types of hybrids, and their fuel economy does vary. Full hybrids make the most use of their electric motor; for instance, the gasoline engine will power off when the car is stopped in traffic, leaving it running on electricity alone. A mild hybrid works much the same, but has a weaker electric motor, needing an assist from its gasoline engine at all times. A muscle hybrid has a gasoline engine which is used primarily, with the electric motor in a smaller supporting role. They enjoy only slightly higher fuel economy than a standard automobile.
If the thought of filling up the tank makes you a little nervous these days, you should consider the possibility of replacing that gas guzzler with one of the newer hybrid cars. Even very popular models like the Camry and Accord are now available as hybrids. Whether simply to save money or to help the environment, or some combination of the two, there are compelling reasons to look into purchasing a hybrid vehicle.
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