Earth Talk
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: How do hybrid cars get better fuel
efficiency than traditional cars?
Hybrid cars get better gas mileage and pollute less because
their highly efficient electric motors run on recycled waste
energy generated during normal driving. These cars actually
have two engines under the hood--a traditional
gasoline-powered motor used for acceleration, and an electric
motor that kicks in and out of service when the car is
maintaining cruising speeds and when the car is idling or
backing up. Excess power generated by the gasoline engine is
stored in batteries and used to fuel the electric engine, so
owners never need to plug the cars in.
Hybrids have two complex drive trains, so consumers can expect
to pay a premium of $3,500 or more for one, depending upon
extra options ordered. But, as with most new innovations, as
demand for hybrids rises (there is a long waiting list for the
Toyota Prius) and manufacturers increase production
accordingly, prices are likely to come down. And the demand
will surely rise as long as gas prices continue to soar.
Despite the price premium, owners can expect to earn back the
extra investment of going hybrid within three to five years of
ownership through savings at the gas pump--especially if their
hybrids are replacing gas-guzzlers like big SUVs. Hybrid
owners who drive the average 12,000 miles per year can expect
to save anywhere between $600 and $1,000 each year on
gasoline, depending upon their driving patterns. High-mileage
commuters will see their savings mount even faster. Also, the
federal government currently offers hybrid owners a tax credit
of up to $1,500 for purchasing a “clean fuels” vehicle, though
this incentive is set to expire after 2006. And several U.S.
states--including Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine,
Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Utah--offer their
own incentives and tax rebates for hybrid owners.
Those ready to take the hybrid plunge have more options than
ever at their disposal. The first two hybrids to hit the U.S.
market in 2000 were the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius,
both which claim fuel efficiencies of up to 60 miles per
gallon and are available today in updated forms. In the
meantime, Honda has also introduced a hybrid version of its
popular Civic model, and is soon to introduce a hybrid Accord.
American automakers are slated to release new hybrid SUVs this
fall, beginning with Ford’s hybrid Escape, which boasts 40
miles per gallon. Lexus is also offering a hybrid SUV, and a
full hybrid Saturn Vue is coming. Meanwhile, Chevrolet has a
hybrid version of its full-size Silverado pick-up truck for
fleet buyers, though it only gets 10 to 12 percent better fuel
economy over its standard GM 1500 pickup. Given all the
choices--not to mention the savings at the pump--there’s never
been a better time to get behind the wheel of a fuel-efficient
hybrid.
CONTACTS: HybridCars.com,
www.hybridcars.com; Clean Car Campaign,
www.cleancarcampaign.org; GreenerCars.com,
www.greenercars.com; Electric Drive Transportation
Association,
www.electricdrive.org.
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E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT
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