Advantages of Buying a Hybrid Car
Fuel prices are quite unpredictable these days. Add to that the threat of global warming, consumers who are looking for ways to save on gas often find hybrid cars as an alternative. Hybrid cars are vehicles that are powered in two ways. Usually, one source of fuel is gas and another one is electricity. Thus, owning a hybrid has many advantages.Fuel savingsHybrid cars can detect when to use the gas engine and when to switch to the electrical component of the car. For example, a car will run on fuel but when it stops on the red light, the gas stops burning and the engine switches to electrical power. Usually, the non-hybrid car continues to use fuel at a stop since other motors are running and the gas is supplying it the fuel to run.Environment-friendlyBecause non-hybrid cars run on gas, it emits toxic fumes in the air when burning the fuel. Because of the ability of hybrid cars to switch on electrical power when necessary, there is lesser carbon emission in the air. Carbon dioxide is one of the major air pollutants that contribute to global warming. Hybrid cars also run quietly because the engine does not exert much effort when powered by electricity. Quite engine means no noise pollution.Lesser maintenance costWarranties for hybrid cars are usually longer. Thus, this saves the car-owner of any repair costs. Since engines of hybrid cars are more efficient, there is less wear and tear so it saves a car-owner a trip to the mechanic. Hybrid cars have fewer parts than the purely gas-powered ones. Fewer parts mean fewer parts to replace. Most hybrid uses regenerative braking which signals the engine to stop the car rather than use friction. Thus, this creates less stress on the brakes and extending its lifespan.Government incentivesIn the Unites States, there are federal tax incentives for those who use hybrid cars to encourage taxpayers to purchase more fuel-efficient cars. This covered by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Tax rebates can range from a few hundreds of dollar to more than five thousand depending on the weight of the vehicle.As manufacturers look for more ways to design fuel-efficient cars, the cost of purchasing and maintaining hybrid cars will be lesser in the future. It lessens car-owners dependency on petroleum. In the long run, this can help curb possible energy crisis in the future.Source:http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/regulations/epact2005.htmlhttp://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,id=153397,00.html
