Alternatives to Gasoline

With gas prices soaring to a record high, consumers can find comfort in knowing that alternatives are readily available. Many alternatively fueled vehicles are ideal for many consumers and cost just slightly more than the average automobile. The gas mileage can increase greatly depending on the make and model. Hybrid vehicles are gas/electric vehicles that claim to get better gas mileage, therefore, helping consumers spend less on gas. The hybrid vehicle is a good choice when wanting to spend a little less at the pump and feel good about the environment at the same time.

For consumers to be able to make the choice to buy Hybrid, they must know what they are buying. The standard hybrid vehicle features a small, fuel-efficient gas engine combined with an electric motor that assists the engine when accelerating. The electric motor is powered by batteries that recharge automatically when driven. A hybrid's main focus is a smaller, more efficient engine. To save even more on gas, the hybrid engine automatically shuts off when the vehicle is stopped in traffic. The hybrids are equipped with advanced aerodynamics to reduce the drag and use a low-rolling resistant, narrow, stiffer tire. All this and a lightweight design make it possible to be more efficient on the road. Nearly all hybrids still require gasoline and diesel as the sole fuel source though other fuels such as ethanol or plant based oils have also seen occasional use. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_vehicle.

In 2004, about 80,000 hybrid cars and trucks were sold out of some 17 million total sales in the US, according to David Friedman, research director for the Union of Concerned Scientists' Clean Vehicle Program. In 2005, over 200,000 hybrids were sold, which represented 1.2 percent of all cars sold in the US. J.D. Power estimates that by 2007, over 400,000 hybrid vehicles will be sold in the US. Many makes and models of hybrids are now available on the market here in North America. Honda offers the Civic, the Accord, and the Insight. Toyota offers the Camry, Prius, and Highlander. Ford offers the Escape, while Lexus offers the 400h SUV. Many hybrids are expected to be released in 2007, including, but not limited to, the Saturn Vue, the Kia Rio, the Hyundai Accent, the Honda CR-V SUV, the Honda Fit, the Mazda Tribute, the Nissan Altima, and the Chevrolet Malibu. Eartheasy.com © 2000-2006. http://eartheasy.com/live_hybrid_cars.htm.

Surprisingly, prices that consumers will pay for hybrids, is not much more than a standard gasoline engine vehicle.