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Go Green Interest Petition: Five Reasons to Buy a Hybrid Car
These days, OPEC may no longer be king. Indeed, hybrid car owners are
changing the rules when it comes to car sales and owning a car. The process
to "mainstream" the hybrid car has been slow. It costs extra
to buy a hybrid car, and many people are not ready to pay the extra yet.
There's also what is probably a legitimate concern that today's technology
is going to be old hat tomorrow, so that the hybrid is going to be a bad
investment. Most don't want to be first in line to buy a new technology,
just as when the regular car was the new kid on the block. Still others
have found that saving money on gas and tax incentives are among the best
reasons to go with a hybrid car. For most hybrid buyers, however, environmental
concerns far outweigh any drawbacks to buying a hybrid car, either now
or in the immediate future.
- Emissions: Gas prices and their effect on this country's economy (as
well as people's wallets) put hybrid cars in great demand these days.
Hybrids are very efficient, because they rely on electricity for some
of their power instead of using just gas. Hybrids get great mileage, too.
In addition, they are good for the environment because they cause much
less pollution to be released into the air. Hybrids do still emit some
of the toxins regular cars do, but much less. In fact, their performance
is so good in this regard that the EPA has had to adjust for them because
they put about 90% fewer emissions into the air as compared to regular
cars.
- Gas Acquisition: Gas has become a major commodity for the entire world,
including the US. As demand grows, more and more refineries are going
to be put in place to produce gas. This will greatly increase air pollution.
In addition, oil is becoming much harder to find. As people seek to tap
into previously protected places such as parts of Alaska, concern about
this type of drilling has grown. As we become less dependent on oil, our
natural resources are saved.
- Human Health Effects: As air pollution becomes a problem because of
emissions, human beings, too, suffer. Humans inhale carbon dioxide as
well as the other chemicals cars use; in some cases, these agents have
been linked to cancer. Some are also known to cause birth defects or other
health conditions that could otherwise be prevented.
- Environmental Awareness: Although buying a hybrid car is a great idea,
of course they cost thousands of dollars more than a regular car. For
those who do buy them, though, they contribute to environmental awareness.
As more people buy hybrids, the price will come down, which in turn will
allow more people to buy hybrids. Buying a hybrid car can be one of the
best ways to impact the environment in a positive manner. As more people
do so, this will have a domino effect on the healing of the environment.
- Government Encouragement: In some cases, the government is giving
people incentives to buy a hybrid car. While previously it was simply
taken for granted that we would be dependent on foreign oil, these days,
those who buy hybrid cars are given governmental tax credits through the
end of 2006. These credits are worth up to $2000 as a credit on tax returns.
As more hybrids are purchased, the government will likely take into account
the environment as it makes its decisions.
Of course, there are also other reasons to buy hybrids, as encouraged
by the makers of them and those who sell them. Even though it may seem
difficult because of demand to buy a hybrid car, many see that as less
of a problem as compared to the benefits provided in helping consumers
be kind to the environment. Fuel efficiency and reduced emissions have
become major concerns to many people, especially as gas prices continue
to rise. In addition, the emissions can have a very negative impact on
people's health, and may also affect generations into the future. If you
choose a hybrid, this can be a way to make a statement to the government
and other consumers. "Choosing green" when buying a hybrid vehicle
will help encourage others to do so as a "right thing to do," and
as a means to positively impact the environment.
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