According to a NY Daily News article, The United States could cut car emissions by upward of 80 percent by the year 2050. This is an awesome goal, and a huge step forward for combating global warming. Green cars help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using alternative fuels, electricity or a combination of both, instead of burning fossil fuels which produce the most greenhouse gas. If you’re considering buying a hybrid vehicle, check out one of these models:
2013 VW Jetta Hybrid
In cities like Phoenix, Ariz., there is a push to transform urban sprawl into something greener and more sustainable by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Local dealerships such as AZ Volkswagen are offering hybrid vehicles, like the VW Jetta, to help meet city goals. Offering hybrids is one thing, but the public must be willing to buy and drive these eco-friendly cars if the potential benefit offered by hybrids is to become a reality. Supply and Demand are powerful tools of marketing. The Jetta hybrid is a good example. You would not realize that this is a hybrid by simply looking at it. This eco version carries on the classic Jetta styling. It acts like a Jetta, with speed and precision, and not like the typical hybrid. In these two regards, it offers what the public wants – style and performance. The 2013 Jetta Hybrid is able to meet these two standards because it contains both an electric and a gas engine that work together to produce power while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The top-three used hybrid cars according to Autobytel, are the 2010 Toyota Prius II, the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the 2011 Honda Insight. All three are four-door sedans with gas mileage above 40 miles per gallon highway and 36 miles per gallon city. The Prius sets that standard with gas mileage of 51 miles per gallon highway and 48 miles per gallon city. Programs like the ones ushered in by President Obama to make gas-free cars standard are helping to drive the technology behind green cars.
2010 Toyota Prius II:
The 2010 Toyota Prius carries a price tag of $21,400-$28,000. This is a five seat, five-passenger hatchback with an 88-horsepower I-4 1.8 liter engine coupled with a standard automatic transmission. Roomy enough for a family of five, it’s also versatile enough for a variety of lifestyles, including daily errands, commuting for work, or long distance travel. The Prius is considered safe enough for new families, or college students. The Prius II holds the best used Hybrid title.
The 2011 Ford Focus:
This Hybrid comes equipped with Atkinson cycle 2.5L I-4 engine that produces 156 horsepower. It is coupled with a 2-speed automatic transmission that features an overdrive option. Like Toyota, Ford has been a leader in hybrid technology. The Focus is another 4-door sedan offering seating for five. Its base price used is $28,600 and offers consumers 41 mpg/city, 36 mpg/highway. The focus is safe for all lifestyles and comes equipped with first and second-row airbags. Like the Prius II this hybrid makes a perfect addition to any household. It is small enough to be efficient for running errands or for traveling/commuting.
The 2011 Honda Insight:
Honda’s Hybrid offers a 1.3L engine that produces 88 horsepower. The engine is coupled with a 2-speed automatic transmission that features an overdrive option. It has a used suggested price range of $18,200 – $23,300. It offers consumers 40 mpg/city and 43 mpg highway, making the Insight an all-around efficient car. The Insight beats out the Ford Focus for highway mileage, which makes it a better choice for those who commute or travel long distances regularly. This vehicle is small enough for everyday use and large enough for almost every family.
Whether you are shopping for a new or used hybrid, the future of automobile manufacturing is headed down a gas-free road. Environmental pressures and global warming are pushing the development of government programs that support gas-free initiatives. The consumer conscience is driving supply and demand, and now is the time to make the move to green automobiles.