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Hybrid Cars Vs Gas

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Hybrid cars have touted themselves as a great way to save money. Many owners of hybrids believed this upon purchase and soon found out that the gas mileage estimates were very overrated. Data from independent product-testing organization Consumer Reports indicates that hybrid cars get less than 60 percent of EPA estimates while navigating city streets. In Consumer Reports' real-world driving test, the Civic Hybrid averaged 26 mpg in the city, while the Toyota Prius averaged 35 mpg, much less than their respective EPA estimates of 47 and 60 mpg. Hybrid cars performed much closer to EPA estimates in Consumer Reports' highway tests.

This discrepancy could be due in part to the way the EPA conducts its tests. The EPA tests actually gauge fuel emissions to estimate fuel efficiency. Hybrid cars use computers to control the flow of gasoline and have more efficient catalytic converters, which reduce the amount of emissions. This may contribute to the disparity between EPA estimates and actual vehicle mileage achieved.

Hybrid car buyers pay a premium of a couple of thousand extra dollars over what others are paying for a comparable car. By most calculations, this extra expense will not be recouped in gas savings by the owner. The hybrid cars currently on the market cost from $3500 to $6000 more per car than comparable cars with conventional gas engines. This means that the amount of money you save, or don't save, by buying a hybrid is very much dependent on gasoline prices. It's no wonder that the average hybrid buyer has a substantially higher income than the average regular car buyer-- $100,000 versus $85,000.

Hybrid buyers may be saving on gas, but they are sporting a much more expensive battery. The cost of hybrid batteries ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, although we have gotten reports of some hybrid owners being quoted $4,800 to $8,000! This could be due to the current high demand for hybrid cars. And, although the hybrid battery may be covered under the car's warranty, once the warranty expires, you could find yourself in for more of a ?charge? than you expected.

Hybrid cars may not be all they're cracked up to be. Their gas mileages are overestimated and maintenance costs can be high. It also costs quite a bit more just to purchase one and these extra costs won't be made up for with fuel savings.

Hybrid Cars Vs Gas

With the continuing rise is oil and gas prices the hybrid car advantages are hard to ignore. Here's the problem... As with any new technology there will be a lot of rumors and myths going around and the hybrid vehicle is no exception.

So how do hybrid cars compare to their conventional counterparts and what are the truths behind these myths.

Hybrids Are Slow?

It has been commonly thought that hybrids are unable to go fast enough for freeway travel. Well that may have been true of the earlier models where the weight of the battery played a significant issue in the cars ability to generate rapid starts and fast speeds. Not any more.

With the advancements in battery technology, so too have the hybrids advanced. They are now quite able to compete with the speeds reached by their conventional counterparts. As hybrid vehicles become more mainstream and technology advances they will continue their upward advancement in achievable speeds.

Hybrids Cost Too Much!

Are Hybrid cars really too expensive. Although the initial outlay can be expensive ( what car isn't?) they quickly make up for their cost in the money you save on fuel. Is there any doubt that the way the gas prices are going, a hybrid vehicle will become more and more of a bargain to own.

Not to mention the fact that it has been announced that you will soon be able to purchase kits to convert your car to an electrical hybrid, or if money is really tight and you are ready to convert right away you can also invest in a water conversion kit to create a your own water hybrid.

No excessive money spent there. Only about $150 to purchase the instruction book and all required parts.

Hybrid Plug Ins?

Another common myth is that all hybrids need to be plugged in. Well this is true of the original electric hybrid vehicles. Now there are electrical hybrids that have a battery on board that is charged as you drive.

So you are still gaining the advantage of saving on the cost of fuel, without the problem of having to plug in every few hours. Research is continuing and that will result in an even better version which will combine the best of both worlds.

A electrical hybrid that would run on the plug in power for the first part of the trip and then switch to the charged battery power for the reminder of the trip. Imagine having to fill your gas but tank once or twice a month, while your hybrid creates the rest of the need power.

There are many advantages to hybrid cars, and as technology advances the advantages will too. If you are looking for a great fuel efficient, environmentally friendly vehicle, think hybrid vehicle.

Forget the myths, learn the truth and soon you can be driving a hybrid too.

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About Author

Both Amy Hansen & Mark Walters are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Amy Hansen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gas Prices, Modelling and Gas Prices. Amy Hansen invites you to visit her blog about for information and money saving tips. There is also a resource to check the local gas prices in your area.. Amy Hansen's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.

Mark Walters has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing, Modelling and Real Estate. Mark Walters reports on advances in technologies at

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