Auto repairs can be a costly expense that can unexpectedly affect any individual. Auto service plans will help you avoid and prepare for these unexpected expenses by covering a variety of your vehicle's components.
The cry for better environmental regulations has provided a boost to the popularity of hybrid cars over recent years. As more car owners become environmentally conscious, drastic steps are taken to help reduce the negative impact we have on the environment in everyday life. This call for higher environmental consciousness provides an incentive to car manufacturers to produce hybrids that meet the growing demand for more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars.
Today, there are a variety of excellent choices when it comes to hybrids. From cars to compact SUVs, it is possible to find an environmentally friendly car to meet any need.
When selecting the best hybrid car, there are a number of important factors you should consider. These factors will help you make the choice that is best for your situation, budget, and needs. Some important factors include:
Hybrid cars are ideal for people who use their vehicles to travel long distances daily. Because hybrids have higher miles-to-gallon ratios and are more fuel efficient compared to the most fuel efficient fuel-powered cars, owners can see substantial savings when it comes to fuel costs.
Another important consideration is the volatility of fuel prices. As oil is a geo-political product, any unrest in oil-producing countries can result to extreme cost hikes. Hybrids offer their owners some protection to the unpredictability of fuel prices.
It is not a secret that hybrids are more expensive than fuel-driven cars. For example, a 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid costs around $25,000 while its fuel-driven counterpart sells at around $23,600. Driving at 15,000 miles per year, the hybrid can provide fuel savings amounting to around $550 per year compared to the fuel consumption of the non-hybrid Camry. Therefore, the difference in selling price can be recouped within three years. Still, the question remains whether a buyer can afford the higher price of hybrid cars at the point of sale.
Although more expensive, a hybrid has smaller depreciation value compared to a regular car. A fuel-driven car can depreciate by as much as 40% within the first two years while a hybrid car's depreciation is around 15% to 20%. This means that owners of hybrid cars can still recover 80% to 85% of their investment if they decide to sell their cars after two years.
Additionally, you should keep in mind that demand for hybrids will have a significant effect on the resale value of a car. Higher conventional fuel prices will drive the resale value of hybrids higher because of demand.
Technology is constantly changing in the automotive industry, and the newest Hybrid cars come with the latest gizmos and hi-tech add-ons. This means that buyers of new hybrids can very well expect that their car comes with the latest technologies, safety features, and fuel-saving mechanisms. This can be a good argument when deciding whether to buy a new or used hybrid car.
This is an important consideration when buying hybrid cars. Instead of a regular battery, hybrids use a rechargeable battery, which will lose its efficiency over time. Before buying a hybrid, inquire about battery life, the cost of replacement, and availability of supply. Considering this factor now can prevent unpleasant surprises in the future.
There are two basic types of hybrids: pure hybrid and mild hybrid. Pure hybrids are equipped with a conventional engine and an electric motor. These hybrid cars use conventional engines only when needed, providing more fuel-efficiency as they depend on electric motors in most cases. Mild hybrids switch alternately between using the conventional combustion engine and electric engine. These semi-hybrids usually cannot be plugged in externally to charge the battery.
