Is a Hybrid Electric Car Right for You?

Electric hybrid cars are an eco-friendly, alternative fuel vehicles to standard autos. If you are in the market for a new or slightly used vehicle, you may be thinking about purchasing one of the hybrid electric cars or an all-electric car. They can help those who are looking for a cost-efficient way to use less fuel and stave off rising gas prices. If you are in the market for a new truck or SUV, you can find a few hybrid models now available in the U.S.

The idea of purchasing a hybrid vehicle appeals to many people because hybrids are a green alternative to traditional automobiles. Though hybrid electric cars will cut your gas costs down, you will need to invest a few thousand dollars more up front in purchasing the car. Expect to pay $2,000 or more for a hybrid than for a comparable conventional vehicle. Some of the best hybrid vehicles can cost in excess of $5,000 more. If you commute a considerable amount, you will likely recover your initial investment in no time. However, if you do not drive many miles on a regular basis, you may want to consider one of the best electric hybrid cars or another alternative.

What is a Hybrid vehicle? A hybrid vehicle is one that has both an electric engine and a gas-powered motor. To decide if a hybrid car is right for you, first you must understand exactly what defines a vehicle as a “hybrid.” The internal combustion engine can be the primary source of energy for the vehicle. The electric motor can then be the primary source or used as a backup power supply from the main engine depending on the type of hybrid you decide to get. The electric motor also functions to capture and reuse energy, which contributes to greater fuel efficiency. With most hybrids, the electric motor is the primary motor, and the internal combustion engine will add power to the drive system when it is necessary to maintain speed. When you slow down, the energy is transferred to the electric motor that intern recharges the battery. Most electric hybrid cars do not require charging before you drive.

Electric Cars vs. Hybrid Electric Cars

Electric hybrid cars are different from electric vehicles. With an electric car, electricity provided by battery packs is the primary power source. Electric vehicles also contain a gas-powered engine that is used for backup power supply. With an electric automobile, you must regularly charge the battery packs just as you would fill a combustion engine with gas. The gasoline engine provides power in case of a weak charge during travel.

The hybrid vehicle uses gas, but less gas than a conventional automobile. The electric motor recycles energy that is typically lost in a standard vehicle. An electric vehicle will save you a significant amount of money on your gas bill, but you must have a charging station installed at your home or place of business to keep your car fueled. The charging station will inevitably contribute to your energy bill, so be sure to check the cost of higher electric bills and charges for installing a charging station. Many cities are encouraging the use of electric cars to reduce the carbon monoxide levels by installing free charging stations in parking facilities. This is an excellent time to make a move to hybrid electric vehicles if you have never owned one.

You can find plug-in hybrids, as well. This vehicle is a cross between a hybrid and an electric car. The hybrid vehicle is the best of both worlds in terms of convenience and energy consumption. You will be able to travel for longer distances before filling up at the gas station.

Hybrid Electric Cars are the Greener Alternative to Conventional Vehicles for Several Reasons, Including:

Hybrids consume less fossil fuel per mile traveled than a combustible engine. Therefore, hybrids are more environmentally friendly. However, hybrids also recycle energy that is lost in standard vehicles. This formerly unharnessed energy source is used to supplement the gas-powered engine. When the hybrid vehicle travels downhill, or when the car is idling, the gas-powered motor switches off and the electric engine switches on.

When fossil fuel is burned in a combustion engine, toxic emissions are dispersed into the atmosphere. Because hybrids use much less fossil fuel to operate, these vehicles emit fewer toxic chemicals into the environment.

Hybrid vehicles are also manufactured with lightweight materials. Therefore, a hybrid vehicle uses less energy during travel. You will not only save on fuel with the electric motor components, but the lighter body also saves energy because it takes less energy to move the vehicle.

Hybrids and electric automobiles are much quieter than gas-powered cars and trucks. If you have ever stood on a busy highway, you probably noticed the loud traffic noise emitted from standard vehicles. Hybrids and electric automobiles are significantly quieter, reducing noise pollution in the community.

The Pros

According to electric car reviews owning a hybrid car provides the owner with many positive outcomes, not the least of which is saving money for his commute. It is a fact that hybrid cars offer the best results when it comes to saving on fuel. However, additional benefits may include:

The days of tax incentives for standard hybrids are over. However, with the new plug-in hybrid models emerging onto the scene, new tax breaks are now available. You may qualify for a tax incentive up to $7500 for purchasing a plug-in hybrid car. Keep in mind, though, that much of the incentive will apply to the price difference between the hybrid and a standard car.

The first hybrid cars appeared on the scene more than a decade ago, and they have matured and developed into acceptable replacements for standard vehicles. When you purchase a hybrid, you will no longer be considered an “early adopter.” After a decade, the quality and longevity has been improved. The new hybrid you purchase today is much more reliable than the one you might have bought ten years ago.

When you drive hybrid electric cars, you make a statement to the world that you care about the Earth and the environment. Ownership of the car says that you are committed to keeping the air cleaner and reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil.

The Cons

Though there are many benefits to owning a hybrid car or truck, there are a few drawbacks, as well. Some of the drawbacks may include:

You may find that a hybrid handles a bit different from a standard vehicle. The hybrid is lighter and will tend to treat curves differently than a conventional automobile.

When you drive a hybrid, you should expect slower acceleration than with a regular car. This can be challenging for highway driving and maneuvering busy streets. You will not be able to get around the obstruction as fast as you would in a standard vehicle.

Maintaining a hybrid may not be as simple as dropping the car off at the local auto repair shop for a few hours. You must have your vehicle maintained by the dealer or a shop that specializes in hybrids and electric cars. Check around your area before making your car purchase to make sure that you have local options for regular standard maintenance.

You may pay from $2,000 to over $5,000 more for a hybrid electric car than you would for a comparable conventional car or truck. Therefore, it only makes sense to calculate if you will save money over the life of the car. It also is important to know how to buy a new car and negotiate a reasonable price. People who commute several miles to work each day or those who travel a great deal in their vehicles may realize real savings by purchasing an environmentally friendly automobile. However, if most of your driving is within your local community, your gas savings may not be significant enough to cover the extra cost of the car.

Research your choices and consider your options. Take into account how much you drive and how your family will use the vehicle. When you decide to start shopping for your new car, let Valley Auto Loans help you find the loan for your purchase. Owning a hybrid is not for everyone, but you may decide that a hybrid is a right choice for you.

In years past, when you saw an electric car you knew it was an electric car. However, the new cars are sleek and sporty and in most models you cannot even recognize it is an electric car. The best electric vehicles are a way of the future that allows consumers the opportunity to meet zero air pollution (ZAP). Because the vehicle is electrically powered, the environment can tap into other renewable power sources to run the cars. These sources include:

Gas prices are going up, and it is becoming increasingly common to drive down the road behind hybrid electric cars or electric vehicles. Gone are the days of the boxy and small electric autos. The modern electric car has a hundred-mile range on a single charge and looks very stylish. New research is even making it possible for some of the best electric 500 miles with a single charge soon.

Geo-Political Advantages of Electric Plug In Cars

The uses of electric vehicles are far-reaching that go beyond geopolitical advantages. Using electricity to power an automobile helps keep the power resources contained within our regions borders and any dependency on foreign oil. Because we no longer need to rely on oil to fuel a vehicle, the stigma behind using, other nation’s oil wells will become obsolete. We can decide our fair prices when it comes to the cost of living. The use of electric vehicles will encourage nations to become self-sufficient when it comes to energy resources while staying true to their environmentally friendly convictions.

Beyond the personal and environmental benefits, the government also has incentives for buying an electric car. Since 2009, an electric car is any vehicle that uses a battery for powering its drive motor and recharges with external power. These vehicles must also meet certain definitions of an electric vehicle and are eligible for tax credits. The credit is $2,500 for a new car plus an increasing amount, up to $5,000, determined by the capacity of the battery. By purchasing a new electric vehicle, you may be eligible for up to $7,500 in tax credits. You can learn more about choosing a fair price and incentives by reading through our “New Car Buying Guide.”

The average price of electric vehicles run between $30,000 and $45,000. A good bit more than conventional gas cars but with more people looking for electric vehicles, the price is becoming more competitive. The Ford Focus or the Honda Fit can be found at a price inside $20,000. When you factor in incentives, lower monthly gas costs, and lower annual maintenance, this could work out to be cheaper than gas cars of the same size.

Gas prices are continuing to skyrocket, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Instead of driving a gas-powered vehicle to work every day, consumers can save a substantial amount of money by utilizing electronic modes of transportation. An electric car costs just pennies per mile. They also have less moving components, so consumers will not have to make continuous trips to their auto dealership for repairs and maintenance. Scooters and electric bikes are even more cost-efficient. For people who work close to home, they’ll be able to take advantage of the additional savings plug-in cars and electric bikes can afford them.

Between work, family life and carving out a bit of “me” time, it can be challenging to find enough hours in the day to get things done. Traffic congestion and looking for the right parking spot for your vehicle can be serious time wasters. Because you can quickly navigate through traffic jams and slip into a smaller parking spot, electric cars are great time-savers.

The biggest drawback to electric vehicles is “Range Anxiety” or the worry that you will not have enough power to get you to where you want to go. The average electric vehicle range is about 60 miles per hour or 80 to 100 miles per charge. However, some electrically charged vehicles can exceed this by averaging 100 miles after being fully battery charged. Most owners of electric cars will agree that 100 miles or less are plenty for most needed trips. It is a fact that the battery range and replacement costs improve year by year with better improvements.

Concerns about recharging time have also improved. On an average, 20 to 25 miles can be added to the range per hour of recharging. In most cars, if a public DC quick charge station is used that can increase the charge to about 50 miles per 20 minutes. If you are in the market for this type of vehicle, Valley Auto Loan can help consumers meet this goal of efficiency. In addition to helping them find affordable financing, Valley Auto Loan can offer suggestions on improving their credit rating and finding an affordable monthly payment plan. This allows the consumer peace of mind and the opportunity to concentrate on other aspects such as taking into account the number of miles needed to drive to and from work and hours necessary to charge it at night.

In order to search for fossil fuel resources, many of the planets precious species and habitats are being disrupted. However, electric vehicles can reduce the need for the disruption. It can also cause a reduction in the pollutants and contaminates that riddle the water, air, and soil. It can even lessen the chances of life-threatening oil spills that have been known to harm and reduce the number of the world’s wildlife inhabitants.

While many appear helpless and consumed with the problems in the world today, green efforts can prove to be a responsible and firm resolution to the global issues threatening the planet. Owning plug-in electric hybrid cars will help you take the step to new, advanced transportation. That is why consumers can adopt a proactive approach to taking action and doing the right thing when it comes to driving an electronic vehicle.

An electric car runs smoothly and efficiently. The motor of an electric car is typically similar in size to a five-gallon water container. Because it is quiet to drive, extremely safe and easy to use, most people find it to be a fun and adventurous experience when behind its wheel. It also produces limited exhaust, noise, and vibration. Until you have handled the experience of putting the pedal to the metal first hand in an electronic vehicle, consumers will never understand what an exhilarating experiencing it can truly be.

Nobody knows what the world has in store for the future. However, if it continues in the same direction that it is presently taking, human and animal kind may become obsolete. The world is running low on precious resources such as oil, ice caps in the polar region melting, and the extinction of plant and animal life can be a grim future outlook. It can even contribute to another ice age if we are not careful. However, simple changes made now can breathe new life into a future that’s filled with hopes and dreams for our children and grandchildren. Electric vehicles are an important part of this process that can help protect the environment and keep this valuable treasure safe before its lost forever.

Valley Auto Loans

When you get ready to buy your next vehicle, whether you decide on a hybrid or not, consult with Valley Auto Loans for financing. We specialize in finding aid for those with less than perfect credit. You can own the hybrid of your dreams, even if your credit score is not in the “Pre-Qualified” range. Valley Auto Loans will find financing for your car, but we will also help you find a dealer in your area that you can work with to find the right car for you.

Complete the online application, and then a Valley Auto Loan Specialist will match you with a lender that understands your personal situation. There are many reasons why people may have less than perfect credit. The good news is that you can find second-chance or bad credit auto financing companies that are willing to provide special financing to people without excellent credit histories. Our lenders understand the problems you may face when seeking to obtain funding for a car.

Let Valley Auto Loans find the loan with the best interest rates for your credit standing. There’s no need to deal with a Buy Here Pay Here dealership when you can buy the car you want from a reputable, honest dealer. Valley Auto Loans is here to serve you. Let Valley Auto Loans find the lender to make your dream of driving one of the best hybrid electric cars a reality.