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Advantages of Hybrid Cars:Beyond Hybrid Tax Credit - what are the other advantages?So, what are the advantages of Hybrid Cars over conventional cars? Or, to put it more bluntly - "Why Should you buy a hybrid car instead of a conventional car?"  Most people look at a Hybrid car because they are interested in benefiting in one, or more, of the following ways:
So, do hybrids deliver on these proposed advantages??? As you might expect - the answer is "it depends!" Fuel Economy: Due to the combination of electric motor with combustion engine - the advantage of fuel economy is certainly correct. BUT - mostly when you are driving around town as opposed to on the highway - as that is when the electric-powered motors really kick in. However, if you drive lots of long distances, you may be mostly relying on the gas engine and doing away with any advantages of the electric motor. For those of us in Europe, where diesel-powered engines are common, there are many diesel cars that will get higher MPG compared to a Prius in a mix of Town and highway driving. Lower CO2 emissions: Again, this depends on what type of conventional car you are comparing the Hybrid to. It is certainly true that many governments have recognised the naturally lower emissions of Hybrids - and encourage their purchase by offering tax credits. However, many diesel-powered cars are now produced that match the low CO2 emmissions of Hybrids (although they are high on Carbon monoxide emissions). On the other hand, many hybrids can travel almost emmission-free in built-up areas at low speeds (which I guess, is where you want to pull back on the smokin' tailpipe!) More "oomph" in your acceleration: This is an area that the more luxury and sports brands (Lexus, Honda CR-Z etc.) are catching onto. They use the electric motors almost like a turbo-booster - giving a real kick to your acceleration.  You want to be seen to be driving a "happening car": Now, this is a weird one in my opinion. Take the Prius - so ugly and box-like, yet so coool to be seen in (is that still true?)! I guess driving any sort of hybrid is like wearing a badge in front of your friends - also if you are a gadget guy, there's usually lots under the bonnet and on the dashboard to keep you amused!
 Going for a Hybrid SUV: While a Hybrid Humvee might be a little ridiculous (and now unlikely with the extinction of the Humvee), something like the Lexus 450h allows SUV drivers to stick with their SUV addiction (as you can tell I have an opinion on this one!) while coming across as a greener, more caring individual. There is a really growing market in Hybrid SUVs - none of which are cheap - for those who want to offset their gas-guzzler SUV image.
So, that's most of the advantages that I've come across. However, if you are reading this, you probably already like the idea of a hybrid car - and will look for lots of reasons to buy one. And then, maybe, look at the disadvantages of hybrid cars to figure out which ones to avoid.  For me personally, I think I'll wait for Plug in Hybrids to come on the market at the end of this year and 2011 - and get all the advantages of electric cars as well as those of a hybrid car.
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