Hybrid Cars: Do You Really Save With These Fuel Economy Cars?

By Kerry Ng

At the time of this writing, there is a game being played. And
in my opinion, the game is called, "confronting the US oil
crisis". The major players are the car manufacturers, the
government, maybe the EPA and have course the people being the
unwitting spectators that are readily lured to the show.

And the game pieces are the fuel economy cars also known as
hybrid cars.

I will begin by emphasizing the point that I don't know
everything there is to know about this so called "impending oil
crisis". And I'm not sure if there is anyone who knows
everything there is to know about this impending oil crisis too.
However, I am fairly certain that the hybrid cars wouldn't be a
prospective solution to the problem; not at least for a few more
years.

One would notice a massive influx of hybrid cars on the roads
today and yet, did nothing to help put a dent in the oil
problems; but instead made a quandary with regards to
car-pooling. As early as January 2005, hybrids car owners were
allowed to use car pool lanes, even when driving alone. Given
the fact that thousands of hybrid cars have been sold since
1999, some of the car pool lanes are becoming more congested
than the regular traffic lanes they're supposed to lighten.

According to a compiled report for the past eight years made by
the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy
Laboratory, the pervasive presence of the supposedly fuel
economy cars have saved only a measly total of 5.5 million oil
barrels. It's a rather distressing contrast against the
approximate 8.5 million barrels a day to power the present usage
of the light, private vehicles. But even then, researchers are
very optimistic with regards to fuel economy cars. They have
concluded that for fuel economy cars to have an impact, they
have to at least cover more than 50% of the car population in
the United States. And given the growing sales of these fuel
economy cars, it's just a matter of time.

On a more personal note, can fuel economy cars help you cut
back on gasoline consumption? Yes they could, depending on your
driving habits. However, if you consider the initial cost of the
hybrids, you may want to reconsider buying one. One of the
biggest challenges of the fuel economy cars is that it takes so
long to repay that extra expense of purchasing them. Even in the
best-case scenario (as with one of the most popular hybrids, the
Toyota Prius), five years time is already considered lucky. One
could purchase a standard 4-cylinder Toyota for a much lower
price and the fuel economy on these models are just outstanding.
Again, this will all depend on you're driving habits.
Personally, being a city driver, I get excellent mileage with my
four cylinder.

So what is your reasoning to purchase a fuel economy car? Is it
for the environmental aspects? Whatever it may be, personally I
wouldn't purchase a hybrid car for purely economic reasons.

About the Author: Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and
publisher of The Hybrid Cars Info Blog. For more great helpful
information about hybrid cars visit
http://www.hybridcarsinfoblog.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=224344&ca=Automotive