20.Why focus on automobiles?2 – Buy A Hybrid Car

The following groups support the CLEAR ACT:

 Ford Motor Company
 Honda
 Toyota
 Union of Concerned Scientists
 Natural Resources Defense Council
 Environmental Defense
 American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
 Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition

There are numerous online tools that will show you what the most fuel efficient alternative is/can be to your current automobile.

It basically takes the class and general specifications of your car and shows you a set of practical alternatives that are actually better for the environment.
Here is one such sample:

http://www.hybrid-car.org/alternative/aston%20martin/

Step 1: Select the make of your current vehicle.

ACURA ASTON MARTIN AUDI BENTLEY BMW BUICK CADILLAC CHEVROLET CHRYSLER DODGE FERRARI FORD GMC HONDA HYUNDAI INFINITI ISUZU JAGUAR JEEP KIA LAMBORGHINI LAND ROVER
LEXUS LINCOLN LINCOLN-MERCURY LOTUS MASERATI MAZDA MERCEDES-BENZ MERCURY MINI MITSUBISHI NISSAN PONTIAC PORSCHE ROLLS-ROYCE SAAB SATURN SUBARU SUZUKI TOYOTA VOLKSWAGEN VOLVO

This program will output a selection of alternative vehicles based on engine size, vehicle class, and fuel economy.
TRY IT OUT!

ALSO, keep a keen eye on the new product launches and innovations making their way onto the market.

In surveying and weighing your options for a hybrid vehicle, you will want to consider:
 Size
 Price
 Gas Mileage
 Appearance

SOME MORE QUICK FACTS AND HISTORY ABOUT HYBRIDS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE, MOST SUITED TO YOUR NEEDS, BUDGET AND REQUIREMENTS

The Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Toyota Prius are the four hybrid cars available to purchase from dealers today. The Ford Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid SUV available, but additional choices now available are the Lexus RX 400h, Toyota Highlander and Mariner Hybrid.

NOTE # 1: Future 2007 models not discussed here are the Lexus GS 450h hybrid sedan, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and Nissan Altima Hybrid.

NOTE # 2 : some cars like the Toyota Prius, due to their popularity and high-demand, may have a waiting period of two to nine months, as order-filling and delivery takes time.

Size (always start with what you know/think you are/will be comfortable with)
 Space-saving, trunk space, driver/passenger comfort, dimensions
 Getting in and out of the car
 Sometimes the trunk is smaller for storage of the battery
 How many passengers can it take?

Here are some examples from online offerings and specifications:
 The Honda Civic Hybrid is a compact sedan that seats five
 Pruis 2nd generation much more roomier and even comes in a hatchback version (mid-size).
 Accord also has a mid-size offering
 Lexus will add a sporty GS 450h hybrid sedan
 5- passenger Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) Ford Escape, or Mariner Hybrid. They are available in two and four wheel-drive models.
 NO MINIVANS
 Toyota's Highlander Hybrid is the only hybrid that seats seven passengers.

Price
 Ranges in US $ from $19,000 to over $49,000 (base models).
 Typically MORE expensive, as much as $3,000 – 5,000 + MORE than their non-hybrids
 Insight and Lexus at the low and high point of the pricing scale.
 Price List:
- 2006 Honda Insight, $19,330 manual transmission ($21,530 for automatic)
- 2006 Toyota Prius, $21,2745,
- 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, $21,850
- 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid, $30,140.
- 2006 Ford Escape hybrid begins at $27,515 for the two-wheel drive version and $28,595 for four-wheel drive.
- 2006 Mariner Hybrid $29,840 (four wheel drive is standard.)
- 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid begins at $33,030 for the two-wheel drive version and $34,430 for four-wheel drive.
- 2006 Lexus RX400h $49,060.

HYBRID CAR FACT: Don't forget, THESE PRICES QUOTED HERE ARE PRICED, MSRP for the base model. Any additional features will increase the cost!

Fuel Economy and Gas Mileage
EPA estimates are higher than for internal combustion engine vehicles
designed to get the best mileage
MANUAL TRANSMISSION: As much as 60 mpg in the city and 66 mpg on the highway
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS: 57 city/56 highway
Prius and Honda Civic comes close too!

Here are some more quoted online facts and statistics on fuel economy:
- Up until model year 2006 the Honda Civic Hybrid was available with a manual transmission that was rated at 46 city/51 highway; the automatic at 48 city/47 highway. The 2006 the Civic Hybrid has been redesigned and is only available with an automatic transmission with epa mpg estimates of 50 hwy/50 city.
- The Honda Accord Hybrid is rated at 29 city/37 highway.
- The Ford Escape is rated at 36 city/31 highway. That is much better than a non-hybrid Escape that is only rated at 22 city/25 highway.
- The Mariner is rated at 33 city/ 29 highway.
- The Lexus RX 400h is rated at a still-respectable 31 city/27 mpg highway.
- The Toyota Highlander, being the largest of the hybrid

SUVs gets the lowest mpg and is at 22 city/27 highway.

Appearance
When it comes to what the car looks like, you are dealing with personal preferences. Ask yourself some tough questions:
- What do you want for the look of your car?
- Similar or different, unconventional style, daring?
- Unique and futuristic appeal to you?
- Aerodynamic?
- When you look at it for the first time, do you love or hate it? Do you want them looking just like their non-hybrid counterparts?
Test drives are recommended and advisable PLUS IT IS FUN!)
Ask about City MPG , Highway MPG and MSRP

Here is a quick comparison of hybrid cars and hybrid SUVs.
The comparison of the hybrids includes:
 the hybrid's name
 EPA gas mileage estimate for city
 EPA gas mileage estimate for highway
 the hybrid's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
The hybrid with the highest fuel economy is on the top of the chart, the hybrid with the lowest fuel economy is at the bottom.

As you might expect, the two-seat Honda Insight tops the list again, as it has since it's inception. As you might also expect, hybid SUVs are at the bottom of the list; the 4 wheel drive version of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h. But remember, these SUV are still getting 31 city and 27 hwy, that's pretty darn good for an SUV.

Hybrid Car Comparison

Hybrid                      　　　　 City mpg Hwy mpg  MSRP
Honda Insight -Manual  　　　　   60       66         $19,530
Honda Insight -CVT         　　　　57       56         $21,530
Toyota Prius                   　　　　60       51         $21,725
Honda Civic Hybrid           　　　　49       51         $21,850
Honda Accord Hybrid        　　　　29       37         $30,140
Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD   　　　　36        31        $27,515
Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD   　　　　33        29        $29,140
Mercury Mariner Hybrid     　　　　33        29         $29,225
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD　　33       28         $33,030

Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD　　31       27         $34,430
Lexus RX 400h                 　　　　31       27         $49,060