More than in any previous model year, 2007 will signal a time when consumers will have more choices regarding fuel efficiency in their new car than just selecting a four, six or eight-cylinder engine. Will it be the year you buy a gas-electric hybrid car, one that will run on ethanol or perhaps a sedan with a diesel engine? Not surprisingly, finding the vehicle that saves fuel and makes economic sense in the long run will require a buyer to do a lot of homework. High gas prices have made fuel economy a major concern of many buyers, but tax-law changes, cost-trimming efforts by some businesses and other factors have created often confusing choices. Are you considering a hybrid because of big tax breaks that go along with the purchase? While that's true for some hybrid vehicles, others qualify for very modest tax breaks and not too far into the 2007 model year, the tax breaks for some of the most popular and fuel-efficient vehicles are likely to vanish. What about those alternative fuel vehicles that have been the darlings of ads from General Motors, Ford and Chrysler? They can help us lessen our dependence on foreign oil, but buying a vehicle that runs on a mixture of 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol could disappoint. And isn't it about time American drivers got in line with other parts of the world to recognizing diesel power is more fuel-efficient than gasoline? Perhaps, but 2007 may not be the year that happens because of diesel emission concerns. If this has you scratching your head, you're probably not alone. To help you navigate the twists and turns of these alternatives to a gasoline-only vehicle, here's a rundown on what you need to know. Hybrid vehicles
Only if you've been living in a cave without TV, radio or newspapers could you possibly have escaped the barrage of stories about hybrid vehicles that were first introduced in the United States more than five years ago.
Essentially, a hybrid uses a small gasoline engine and a battery-powered electric motor to run the vehicle. When full power is needed, the gasoline and electric motors work together. When less power is required, such as sitting at a stoplight or cruising at 55 miles per hour on the freeway, the vehicle is likely to run only on the batteries. When you step on the brake, and in some other circumstances, the batteries are recharged, so a hybrid never has to be plugged in. It is very cool technology, and the gas and electric systems mesh nearly seamlessly. For those concerned about reliability, most manufacturers offer longer-than-normal warranties on the drive system. But what about the savings? replacecontent-tcm:8-21982 Even with a gallon of regular gas selling for $3, the most fuel-efficient hybrids -- currently the Toyota Prius, at an EPA estimated 60 mpg highway and 51 mpg city -- will not start saving a buyer from the first fill-up. The reason is that hybrids can cost from $2,500 to $4,000 or more above a comparably sized and powered gasoline vehicle. |