The Basics Of Green Cars
Hybrid cars, which run on a combination of standard gasoline and battery power, are one of the developments brought on by the societal concentration on environmentally-friendly technologies. If you're considering purchasing one of these vehicles, there are a few basic but essential things you need to know about them before you make the decision to buy.
One of the major factors in your purchase decision will undoubtedly be the cost. Hybrid vehicles aren't cheap - starting prices for lower-end models are in the $30,000 range, and high-end models can list for as much as around $90,000 or even above $100,000.
Fortunately, due to government-sponsored incentives implemented to promote energy-efficient technologies, you will end up receiving an across-the-board $7,500 tax credit from the federal government if you buy any hybrid vehicle. Certain states, such as California, offer additional monetary incentives for such purchases.
If you run out of gasoline, the battery can only supply enough power to run the car for a fairly short time, anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes depending on the hybrid model. Although this may seem like something of a disadvantage, the cars are known for their fuel efficiency, so by the time you get down to the wire as far as gas is concerned, you'll likely either be where you need to go or within range of a gas station.
Hybrids can be charged fairly easily. This task can be accomplished either at any number of public charging stations, which are becoming more and more numerous, or with a station at your own home. If you're worried about the cost of that, don't be - government subsidies like the ones mentioned above will cover the majority of the price.
Despite all of these attributes, hybrid cars are not an affordable option for everybody - at least not yet. But if you can manage the expense, it's at least worth your time to consider it.
