Fuel prices have dramatically risen over recent years and with price increases set to continue many people are seriously considering a hybrid car. According to the Associated Press, sales of green vehicles rose by 38 per cent last year. Demand has increased due to a combination of rising fuel prices and motorists becoming more aware of the damage to the environment caused by conventional cars.

Hybrid cars have two engines, an electric motor and a gas powered engine. When your car is idling, that is,not in motion but with the engine is running, the gasoline engine will automatically switch off and allow the engine to run on electricity.

When the accelerator pedal is stepped on, the gasoline engine will automatically switch on again and use fuel to power the vehicle. This means that your car is not using up precious gasoline in traffic jams, at signals, or in any other situation when the car is not moving. It will simply run off the electric motor.

When the car is moving, both the gasoline engine and the electric motor will share the work of powering the vehicle. This is why Hybrid cars emit much less pollutants than conventional cars that use gasoline exclusively.

Cars have been developed that can run purely on gas or electricity, but they have proved limited compared with Hybrid vehicles that utilise a combination of fuel and an electric motor as the power source. The Hybrid cars have proven to be more fuel efficient compared with purely gas cars, and more suitable for everyday use compared with solely electric cars. This is due to the fact that Hybrid vehicles are able to travel at the suitable speeds on high speed roads and that they are capable of being able to handle the stop-start driving in our towns and cities.

The Hybrid cars don't need to be charged through an electric socket as they recharge their batteries whilst being driven. The battery stores power that is generated by by engine. With the combination of the two energy sources, the power generated and performance of the vehicle could arguably match that of a conventional car. Plus, there is the added advantage of greater efficiency.

The Hybrid car also offers a higher mileage when compared to its conventional counterpart. The Hybrid vehicle consumes a combination of fuel and electricity, although the proportion is so small that the emissions are minute compared with conventional cars. Hybrid cars are able to make a huge contribution in the reduction of emissions. The fact the greenhouse gasses cause damage is established. Reducing these gasses can only have a positive effect on our environment.

The resale value of most conventional vehicles begins to slide the moment the car has been purchased. It can be argued that the same happens in the case of the Hybrid car, but because of the construction and components of the car, the resale value decreases much slower, which means the money you invest in a Hybrid vehicle retains most its value for longer. Due to the current demand, it is possible that a resale car could get you more in return than what you paid for it in the first place! Plus, there are additional savings in tax available to Hybrid car owners.

The main issues with Hybrid cars seem to be that they are in a constant state of development and are not yet produced in great mass. The price tag can also be off-puting, making them unavailable for some consumers. These issues are being resolved, which could make the Hybrid car, the car of the future, available to everyone today!