| Looking to buy a hybrid car? Are you scouring | | | | |
| the web for which are the best hybrid cars, | | | | Hybrid car technology is only one means of |
| what are the facts about hybrid cars, and | | | | saving the environment and your money. Cars |
| perhaps even what are hybrid cars for sale on | | | | that drive on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or |
| eBay? | | | | natural liquid gas (NLG) do this too. Modern |
| | | | diesel vehicles run much cleaner than older |
| Just hold on a moment and slow down. Of | | | | models and biodiesel fuel is emerging rapidly |
| course, a hybrid car is a popular choice | | | | as an alternative, not to mention ethanol |
| right now. And you're thinking that getting a | | | | blends. |
| hybrid vehicle is all about doing your bit | | | | |
| about global warming and save money on fuel. | | | | So, if you cannot justify buying a hybrid car |
| It's a feel-good, win-win situation isn't it? | | | | compared to what's locally available to you |
| | | | in alternative fuels, don't buy one. |
| But is this true and is that all there is to | | | | |
| it? Well, let's just say that there are at | | | | Mechanical assistance? |
| least seven good reasons why you should not | | | | |
| buy a hybrid car. | | | | Many mechanics are not yet trained in |
| | | | maintaining a hybrid vehicle. Could you get |
| Do you need a hybrid car? | | | | yours repaired and maintained locally? |
| | | | |
| Have you thought about your purpose of using | | | | Hybrids ain't hybrids |
| a car at all? Who, and how many passengers | | | | |
| will be using the car? Driving in the city or | | | | The hybrid car range includes SUVs. How many |
| in the country? Perhaps public transport, a | | | | people really need one? Buying a hybrid to |
| bicycle or an electric scooter could fit your | | | | roll over the off-road environment seems a |
| needs just as well. | | | | little incongruous. Don't buy one unless you |
| | | | absolutely cannot do without it for good |
| Just because we're all used to the comfort of | | | | reasons. |
| our air-conditioned boxes on wheels does not | | | | |
| necessarily mean we need to continue the | | | | Saving the environment? |
| habit, does it? You don't really need a car, | | | | |
| hybrid or other? Then the best thing you can | | | | You are probably like most people who buy a |
| do for the environment, and for your pocket, | | | | hybrid car because they want to do their bit |
| is not to buy one. | | | | about global warming. Right? Good for you. |
| | | | Hybrid cars are part of the future. But... |
| Would your hybrid hold its value? | | | | |
| | | | You cannot buy a sustainable world. Selling |
| OK, so you know that hybrid car prices are | | | | cars, whatever fuel they use, involves vast |
| above average but are inevitably coming down | | | | quantities of energy and emissions in mining |
| with a rapidly increasing demand. You also | | | | metals, transportation, production and |
| know that any tax incentives that may apply | | | | distribution. Whereas it is better to drive a |
| now may not continue forever. What does that | | | | hybrid car than a gasoline-driven one, don't |
| mean? It means that you will not be able to | | | | expect to save the planet from global warming |
| sell your car at a premium price later, even | | | | just by doing that. |
| though resale value is good now. So if you | | | | |
| buy a hybrid because you think it will hold | | | | It's a change in thinking that's needed, from |
| its value, don't count on that being true in | | | | seeing ourselves as independent consumers, to |
| five year's time. | | | | interdependent people who live in |
| | | | relationship to others and our environments. |
| Getting your money back by saving on fuel? | | | | Once you and I know that we'll act more |
| | | | wisely in choosing Earth-friendly |
| This depends on your mileage and the model | | | | technologies that we really need. |
| hybrid. Even in the best scenarios you will | | | | |
| need five years before you recoup your | | | | Cannot afford to buy a hybrid? So what? Reach |
| purchase price. Don't buy a hybrid for | | | | out to someone else who needs you today or |
| economic reasons only. | | | | volunteer in your local environment |
| | | | protection group. That's really putting your |
| What are your alternatives? | | | | foot down in making a difference! |