Hybrid Car Benefit

Why are hybrid cars beneficial? There are many benefits to owning a hybrid car, but there are drawbacks, as well.

The benefits are:

• Lower fuel costs
• Lower emissions
• Tax credit
• Local Perks
• They are here today
• Feelings of doing good/less harm

The first thing most people notice on hybrid cars is the higher fuel economy. When you see numbers like 60 mpg, most are overwhelmed. Of course, that higher fuel economy comes for a premium price. But in the long run, you can save money buying a hybrid. It depends on which hybrid you buy, and it does take years to do so, but you can save.

Fortunately for buyers, there are all sorts of short term benefits. Just by driving a hybrid, you are more likely to emit less pollution. Full hybrids let you drive on electric power (battery power) at low speeds, when gas engines are less efficient. The gas engine will kick in at higher speeds letting you get the best of both worlds. Hybrid cars take the top spots when it comes to green ratings.

Helping you feel better about paying more is the tax credit you may qualify for. Depending on which hybrid car you buy and your own financial situation, you may get several thousand taken off in credits. Some states offer tax benefits, from reductions in sales tax to rebates. (And if your state doesn't offer anything, maybe you should lobby them?)

There are some nice local perks, too. From free parking to HOV access to tax benefits. Again, inquire with your local lawmaker for any benefits you may be eligible for.

But mostly, what's nice about hybrids is they are here today. Unlike the fuel cell or E85 revolution, no new infrastructure is needed. No new pumps are necessary. And, unless you buy a plug-in, you don't have to do anything with a hybrid that you wouldn't have done with your gas only car.

2009 Hybrid Cadillac Escalade

Car and Driver has a nice write up on the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Expected to be released as a 2009 model in April or May of 2008, GM showed off the working prototype at the "Ten" event in Hollywood. Jennifer Hudson strolled down the runway with the latest hybrid.

The Escalade Hybrid is expected to be outfitted with GM's new dual mode hybrid engine. It will come with a 6.0-Liter V-8 coupled to two electric motors. This is a full hybrid, capable of running on electric mode at low speeds. There will also be a cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy.

The two-mode hybrid system is supposed to improve the Tahoe hybrids fuel efficiency by 25% when it comes out next year, so we should probably expect the same from the Escalade hybrid.

The writer notes that "some changes will be made to the grille and front bumper to create a distinction between the hybrid."

Source: 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - Auto Shows - Car and Driver March 2007 via autobloggreen.

Saab Hybrid Plans

According to a Reuters report, Saab is looking ahead to building their own hybrids. They plan on using the dual-mode system co-developed by BMW, DaimlerChrysler and GM. GM is planning on rolling out the Saturn Vue as a dual-mode hybrid next year, modified to work in a front-wheel-drive vehicle. Saab hopes to build their hybrid off of the same technology.

According to the story I read, Saab is looking to cut costs by integrating themselves further with GM overall, so this would be part of that plan. Saab wanted to get the news out despite not having any firm plans, what with their direct competitor Mercedes-Benz said on Tuesday that it would bring its first hybrid to market in 2009.

Source: CNN: Money

Hybrid Car Sales, February 2007

Toyota and Nissan made the big splash this month in their hybrid car sales. Toyota sold 187,330 vehicles, an increase of 12.2 percent over February 2006. Of those, 10.1% were hybrids. Meanwhile, Nissan debuted the Nissan Altima Hybrid.

Total hybrid car sales were 22,998 units sold, up 53.8% from last February. I still don't have access to GM hybrid sales, but I've decided not to worry about that since GM hybrids are mild and I was already excluding the hybrid trucks for that reason. Nissan debuted the Nissan Altima Hybrid in eight states (those with stricter emissions for fleet sales).

Toyota sold 18,860 hybrids, or 82.0% of the hybrids sold in February. The Prius sold 12,227 units, an increase of 86.8% from last year. The Toyota Prius made up over 53% of hybrid car sales for the hybrid market. The Highlander Hybrid sold 1,892 units, an decrease of 28.1%. The Toyota Camry sold 3,332 units, making it the second most popular hybrid car.

The Lexus division sold 160 units of the GS 450h and 1,249 units of the RX 400h. The Lexus 400h dropped 30.7% from last February.

Honda sold 1,924 units of the Honda Civic Hybrid, an increase of 8.1%. The Civic Hybrid is the third most popular hybrid. The floundering Honda Accord Hybrid dropped to 312 units, a decrease of 60.2%

Ford sold 1696 units combined of the Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid. That's an increase of 26.5%.

Nissan sold 206 units of the Altima Hybrid in its limited release.

Percentage-wise, 79.0% of the hybrids sold were cars against 21.0% SUVs.

Hybrid Car Sales, January 2007