Drive Green with Hybrid Cars

Think green next time you're in the market for a new car. Many are now aware of the negative aspects of purchasing SUVs. There are perfectly legitimate reasons for buying an SUV; maybe you have fifteen kids, your SUV is actually your home or you need to make your pompous neighbor jealous. Now that most are well aware of the ridiculous amounts of carbon dioxide emitted from all cars, never mind SUVs, many have chosen to purchase smaller, more efficient cars or hybrids.

The average price for a hybrid is slightly more, about $5,000 more, than the gasoline-engine automobiles. The positive differences between cars are found in the gas mileage and the amount of emissions produced. Each gallon of gasoline burned in the average car produces 20 pounds of carbon monoxide; six tons per year (Louisa Thomas, 2007).

There are various hybrids to choose from Lexus, Honda, Toyota and others.

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine suggests looking at the "five-year ownership costs" rather than the initial price when deciding between hybrid and non-hybrid. Combining the federal tax credit for hybrid cars with the savings at the pump will demonstrate significant savings for the Green Driver in most cases. Kiplinger gives a rundown of the most common hybrids and there five year costs versus non-hybrids on MSN online. Hybrid cars and SUVs were compared. The SUV hybrids such as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Ford Escape Hybrid actually cost more over the five years of ownership than non-hybrid SUVs but they produce less carbon dioxide than their gas burning equivalents. The number one choice for hybrid cars according to Kiplinger's is the Toyota Prius which saves the owner $565 in comparison to a five year ownership of its non-hybrid equivalent. The Prius has the number one environmentally friendly score and is the most fuel economic hybrid. The Prius gets 60 miles to the gallon in the city and 51 miles per gallon on highways.