If you're thinking of getting a hybrid, you might find these facts helpful.
• The hybrid combines a gasoline-powered engine and a battery-operated motor to achieve superior fuel efficiency. No outlets needed.
• A process called regenerative braking recharges the car's battery by using its momentum as energy. This not only allows the hybrid to use less gasoline, but also emits less carbon dioxide.
• Compared to their "traditional" competition, hybrids often pack better acceleration because of their additional electric motor.
• Some hybrid models get 50 miles per gallon in the city.
• A number of new hybrids are coming to market. Hybrid options run the gamut: sedans, SUVs and trucks. Hybrid trucks, which come equipped with multiple outlets for power tool use, essentially turn your pickup into a generator.
• Hybrid cars "cost an average of about $3,000 more than conventional-gas cars," according to Consumer Reports. However, hybrid owners will probably save in the long run because their vehicles get about 19 percent more MPG in the city than conventional vehicles. Plus, hybrids' regular maintenance intervals stretch further than those of their conventional counterparts.
Bobby Hamilton, a spokesman for AutoVantage, is the current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion after achieving four career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victories. He founded Bobby Hamilton Racing, which owns and operates three trucks in the NASCAR circuit.
Nina Daruwalla
Realtor
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