What You Should Know About Buying a Hybrid

When buying a new vehicle (or at least new to you), there are many things to consider. Just one of the many decisions is whether to buy a hybrid vehicle over a traditional one. Hybrid cars seem to be a good choice for someone looking for a smaller carbon footprint on the world and to lessen the demand on foreign oil. But as regular cars become more fuel efficient, the decision isn’t as cut and dry as it used to be.

The first step in making your decision is to determine what exactly is meant by the term “hybrid.”  As hybrid cars become more available, the definition is used to loosely describe a vehicle that uses more than one fuel source. But what those fuel sources are (and how they interact with each other) can determine how much of an impact the vehicle is actually making on your gas mileage, and therefore the environment.

Most of the cars on the market that are described as hybrids are electric/gas combinations. Despite being part electric, most electric/gas hybrids don’t require you to plug in anything – the electric side works in conjunction with the engine to share the energy load of moving your vehicle. However, car manufacturers are starting to release all-electric vehicles and hybrid versions which do need to be plugged in.

Of course, fuel efficiency isn’t the only reason hybrids are good for the environment.  They also cause less emissions (up to 90% for electric/gas hybrids) and smog, as well as noise pollutions. There are some states that give hybrids single-occupant use in lanes dedicated to carpools, and some cities offer free parking. And the more people who buy them, the more likely it is that manufacturers will produce more.

Whether you want to buy a hybrid vehicle isn’t just a question for the environment, but for your wallet as well. Hybrids typically go for a higher initial cost, but are balanced by potential tax incentives (if buying new) and the long-term savings on gas prices (if you plan on keeping the car for a few years). Since hybrids are more expensive to manufacture, replacement parts – most notably the battery – also tend to be on the higher end in terms of cost. If you buy a current fuel-efficient regular car and keep it well-maintained, it’s possible the savings on gas would be about the same. Of course, as more hybrids are produced, the price of manufacturing them (and repairing them) will inevitably go down.

So, what are your options when choosing a hybrid? As with traditional vehicles, hybrids come in all shapes. And as with any decision involving purchasing a vehicle, you need to determine your driving needs and let that determine the size of both the vehicle and the engine.

The Toyota Prius is probably the best known hybrid on the market, and it is the best selling as well. Averaging around 45 miles per gallon, the starting price of this mid-size car is around $21,000. Customer loyalty to the Prius seems to be high, so finding a used one will be difficult. Considering they started selling them in the United States in 2001, though, the chances are better than before to get one that was pre-owned.

Honda has the Insight and the Civic. The Insight is smaller, only two seats, and is the most affordable of the various hybrids, coming in just under $20,000. It also has the best MPG, getting 60 city and 66 highway. The Civic is a hybrid version of their regular Civic sedan, and prices around $24,000. The EPA estimated gas mileage is 40 city and 45 highway, but most Civics have seen higher – around 47 miles per gallon. Honda also offered a hybrid version of their Accord, but discontinued the production in 2007 due to sales.

If you’re looking for a sports utility vehicle, the Ford has a hybrid version of their Escape. Priced at around $32,000, this is your best bet if looking at saving on gas but wanting to keep a hybrid, with gas mileage at 34 city and 31 highway. At this point, there are some regular cars that match this MPH, and so the decision to go hybrid should be more than just fuel-efficiency.

Every year, there are more options available for people interested in buying a hybrid – and more options for those looking in the used car market. If you’re looking for a used hybrid, not only should you shop at regular car dealers, but online sites such as eBay Motors as well. Just make sure to research the sale thoroughly before purchasing.

Whether you pick a hybrid or not should be one of the first things you decide when shopping for a new vehicle. Fuel efficiency is a great way to help the environment, but there are alternate choices if you don’t drive often, or live in a city with a decent transit system.