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People everywhere are scrambling around to find a solution that works for them in terms of the high gas prices all over the country. Some have traded in their gas hog SUVs, while others have tried gas additives that their makers claim are the answer to gas price prayers.
But an increasingly noticed addition on the car front has been steadily gaining ground for some time now. Hybrid cars are getting noticed from more people than just the environmentally concerned.
Early models were designed to be comparable in performance to the traditional fuel economic and moderately powered. More recent models of hybrid cars may prove to be a little less gas friendly.
For those in doubt, hybrid cars are designed to run from both gasoline and electricity depending on the type of driving that the situation requires. It is clear to see how these vehicles are seen as a possible solution to the problem of rising fuel costs.
The situation is that newer model hybrids don’t necessarily save as much in gas as once thought. For example, when a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid was compared with its V6 engine counterpart, the fuel savings was only 2 miles per gallon. Performance was excellent with comparable acceleration ability.
The reason for the dramatic change in fuel efficiency of the hybrids comes down to one issue. Car manufacturers are trying to make hybrids appealing to a wider group of consumers. The result is that some of the fuel efficiency has gone to the way side in an attempt to make the hybrids more powerful and more universally appealing.
Hybrids are being designed to be heavier, as in the case of the hybrid SUVs and trucks. While this heavier body style adds boosted speed, it costs more in fuel. Simple science tells us that the more an object weighs the more fuel it will need for propulsion.
If a hybrid car is the way you want to go, not all models are made equal. While car manufacturers are trying to add more power to the hybrids, they are also trying to preserve the designs fuel efficiency benefits.
The difficulty lies in doing both at the same time. The next few years will tell the tale at how well they succeed. When considering the hybrid option, like any car buying experience, it is important to research as many possibilities as you can and make the best decision for you based on the total package, not just one aspect.
When determining the advantages of a hybrid, you may also want to keep in mind that they are designed to more environmentally friendly as well as more fuel efficient.
Hybrid cars are quickly becoming the wave of the future with more and more consumers choosing to test out the relatively new technology. As models are tweaked, auto manufacturers are bound to find a happy balance between performance and gas mileage.
In the meantime, taking care of the car you have, providing proper maintenance, and adjusting some driving habits will save you at the pumps.