Due to the rising cost of fuel and the environmental damage it causes to our planet, many car owners or buyers are looking for an alternative way to save money. Let’s face it, the fuel supply is finite and gas prices are only going to go higher and higher. That is where a hybrid car has its advantages.

Hybrid cars have gained popularity in recent years. With lower cost of production and the development of new hybrid car technology, owning a hybrid car is becoming affordable for everyone.

Hybrid cars save gas

The obvious advantage of using hybrid cars is that it saves gas. Combining the cleaner power of an electric motor with the long-range capability of a gasoline engine allows a hybrid car to save up to 30 miles per gallon. A feature of hybrid cars is that the gasoline engine automatically shuts off when the car comes to a stop. This also helps save fuel. That is also the reason why hybrid cars are so quiet and stand still. The gasoline engine starts automatically when you step on the accelerator pedal.

Hybrid cars are friendly to the environment

Hybrid cars emit fewer toxic emissions compared to conventional gasoline-powered cars because less gasoline is burned. It is friendly to the environment, causes less pollution and releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you don’t know, carbon dioxide is one of the main reasons for the increase in global warming. For example, the Toyota Prius can reduce tailpipe emissions by up to 90 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50 percent.

Tax Incentives for Hybrid Cars

Due to global political pressures around the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, President Bush signed an agreement in 2005 to provide a large tax break for buyers of hybrid cars. The tax incentive varies by model and is based on two factors

1. How fuel efficient is the hybrid car compared to a conventional car in 2002 in the same weight class.

2. How much gasoline can the hybrid car save over its lifetime compared to an equivalent conventional car?

For example, a Honda Accord hybrid car has reduced tax credits of $600 while a Toyota Prius has a tax credit of $3,150. Keep in mind that tax credits expire after 2010 for most hybrid cars.

Hybrid car manufacturers are continually researching more ways to reduce fuel consumption and improve fuel efficiency. Also, as more hybrid cars are adopted, the cost of hybrid cars will come down and become more affordable for everyone.