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Hybrid Vehicles
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Everyone is talking about the environment these days. Regency Auto Group has taken a strong focus, recognizing that in order for the world to change, everyone needs to make an effort. Part of this effort is educating you, the consumer on the benefits of Hybrid Vehicles. WHAT IS A HYBRID VEHICLE A hybrid vehicle (HV) is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to propel the vehicle. Hybrids typically realises greater fuel economy than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), so that fewer emissions are generated per kilometre traveled. In addition noises are reduced, particularly at idling and low operating speeds, in comparison to conventional gasoline or diesel powered engine vehicles. And guess what else? Accelerating in a hybrid vehicle gives it that extra boost, for example the GS450, though it's a V6, gives the impression that you're driving a V8!
HOW DO THEY WORK? Hybrids can be put together in different ways to achieve a variety of different objectives. They combine the features of the internal combustion engine with an electric motor and can significantly improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance (in most cases, improving it!) or driving range. HEVs are primarily motored by an internal combustion engine, just like conventional vehicles. What they do, is initially, when the car is accelerating, it will be the electric motor which will be causing the car to move (this is where internal combustion engines are least efficient). What Hybrids also do though, is convert energy normally wasted during coasting and braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor. The electric motor is then used to assist the engine when accelerating again or hill climbing and in low-speed driving conditions. Some Hybrid vehicles also automatically shut off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restart it when the accelerator is pressed. This prevents wasted energy from idling. Unlike all-electric vehicles, Hybrid vehicles now being offered do not need to be plugged into an external source of electricity to be recharged; conventional gasoline and regenerative braking provide all the energy th e vehicle needs. WHAT SORT OF DIFFERENCE WILL I BE MAKING ON THE ENVIRONMENT? More efficient cars can make a big difference to society in terms of environmental benefits. Hybrid vehicles will reduce smog-forming pollutants over the current national average. Hybrids will never be true zero-emission vehicles, however, because of their internal combustion engine. But the first hybrids on the market will cut emissions of global-warming pollutants by a third to a half, and later models may cut emissions by even more. HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I SAVE ON A HYBRID VEHICLE Depending on your driving styles and the type of hybrid that you purchase. Toyota and Nissan Hybrids will benefit you most if you lots of city driving (lots of stop and goes), these hybrid vehicles offer the best ability to save money on gasoline; however, not all hybrids are equal in city driving. For example, Honda hybrids are not the best for city conditions. Honda hybrids do not function on electric power only at low speeds, unlike Ford and Toyota hybrids. Example: In city driving, the Toyota Prius the can easily achieve 4.0 Litres per 100 kms. Something like the Ford Focus (an UN-hybrid vehicle), achieves just 11 Litres per 100 kms. What's worse? Many trucks and SUVs will achieve 13 Litres per 100 kms and up! (The Lexus RX400h has a fuel consumption of 7.8 Litres per 100 kms city driving!) 3 MORE WAYS TO SAVE Also, purchasing or leasing a HYBRID vehicle also allows you to become eligible for some tax rebates. The Government of Canada has started the ecoAUTO Rebate Program designed to help encourage Canadians to buy fuel-efficient vehicles. Beginning March 20, 2007, the Federal Government will begin offering rebates from $1,000-$2,000, to people who buy or enter a long-term lease (12 months or more) for a fuel-efficient vehicle. The Provincial Government offers two different tax reductions SAVE $2000 PST - The Provincial Government offers a point of sale reduction of the PST on the purchase or lease of a hybrid electric or alternative fuel vehicle. New Hybrid vehicles are eligible for an exemption from 100% of PST up to a maximum of $2,000. SAVE LUXURY TAXES - This tax rate reduction is applicable only to hybrid vehicles that cost more than $55,000. The PST tax rate applicable to a new or leased vehicle is a function of the price. Up to $55,000 the PST tax rate is 7.0%. At prices greater than $55,000 the PST tax rate increases for each $1000 increase in price up to a ceiling of $57,000. At $57,000 the applicable tax rate is 10%. Hybrid vehicles with a purchase price greater than $55,000 are eligible for a reduction in the applicable provincial tax rate. The applicable tax rate level is determined by subtracting a government-determined factor of $7,000 from the purchase price of the vehicle. The tax rate is then applied to the full amount of the purchase price. Keep in mind, this program will only be eligible for vehicles less than $63,999 in order to still fall outside of the 10% luxury bracket. Here is a simple example of the possible tax savings:
Note: The motor vehicle dealer applies this lower tax rate at the time of purchase. To sum it up, you save from $3,000 to $5,000 instantly from purchasing a Hybrid Vehicle. WHICH AUTOMOBILES COME IN A HYBRID
*Toyota and Lexus Hybrids have what they call the Hybrid Synergy Drive. The vehicles have outstanding driving performances, economical, and aim to be environmentally friendly and clean with ultra-low emissions that surpass the most demanding standards. These vehicles produce 70% fewer smog-forming emissions than the conventional new vehicle. As well, Toyota's Hybrid system don't release ?evaporative emissions' (Gas vapour that normally escape directly in the air from the tank and fuel lines) Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius produce 90% less pollutants than comparable non-hybrid cars. By putting less harmful chemicals in the environment, the harmful effects of pollution can be halted or even reversed. THE FUTURE IS HYBRID We will most likely all be driving some type of hybrid vehicle in the future. Not ready yet? Here are some tips to ensure that you can do your part helping the environment as well. Practice good driving habits. What does this mean? Obey the speed limits, use your cruise, and avoid punching it at red lights. These will all help maximize fuel economy and minimize tailpipe emissions; it will also help prevent unnecessary war and tear. Avoid using your air conditioner if you can, open your vents, unroll your windows. This will help consume less fuel and will lead to fewer emissions. Keep you car well maintained. According to an environmental website, getting regular tune-ups will help. Things like keeping your tires inflated and aligned will significantly improve your fuel economy. Also, look for LLR replacement tires (low rolling resistant tires). They are designed specifically to improve a vehicle's fuel economy. Unload! Did you know that having an extra 100 lbs in your car can increase your fuel economy by 1% Take the time to empty out your trunk! OTHER WAYS TO KEEP GREEN RECYCLE!! Every ton of recycled office paper saves 380 gallons of oil. If each person were to reuse a paper shopping bag for just one trip to the store, we would save 60 000 trees. Energy saved from one recycled aluminum can will operate a TV set for 3 hours, and is the equivalent to half a can of gasoline. Glass produced from recycled glass instead of raw materials reduces related air pollution by 20%, and water pollution by 50%. MAKE SOME CHANGES IN YOUR HOME! One ton of carbon dioxide that is released in the air can be prevented by replacing every 75-watt light bulb with energy efficient bulbs. You can reduce water use by up to 40% by installing low flow faucets and showerheads in your home. Upgrade your appliances (example: A new fridge uses up to 40% less energy than older models made before 1993) Despite all of the damage we have caused the environment, remember most of it is reversible. We can restore habitats and return species to them; clean rivers; renovate buildings; replenish the topsoil, replant forests. However, these activities do not relieve the worst symptoms of the damage. We still have to fix the source of these problems and together we must share the vision a greener and livable planet earth for the many generations to come. |
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