This futuristic scene could become reality if hybrid vehicle manufacturers find a way to catch up with demand, and bring prices in line with conventional cars.
But in the here and now, finding a hybrid vehicle isn’t easy. And they aren’t cheap.
Bill Joseph, sales representative for Don Ringler Chevrolet Toyota, said they have between 30 and 40 people waiting for their most popular hybrid, the Toyota Prius.
“Sales have outpaced production,” Joseph said. “It’s just a situation where production is scheduled so far in advance, it doesn’t immediately react.”
The Toyota Prius gets about 45 miles per gallon, and possibly up to 50, depending on driving habits, Joseph said. Prices range from a little more than $20,000 to about $30,000. However, Joseph said depending on what accessories you choose, be prepared to wait from two to several months for the vehicle.
So, what exactly is a hybrid? How does it work? And what’s the catch?
A hybrid uses two or more engines. The idea is nothing new. During World War I and World War II, submarines used hybrid technology. A diesel engine propelled the sub on the surface, and recharged batteries. An electric motor did the trick under water.
Back on land, a hybrid vehicle’s electric motor assists the engine in accelerating, passing and hill climbing. The hybrid also completely shuts down when sitting at a stop for several minutes, like when you’re stuck in line at the bank or fast food drive-thru. Meanwhile, flip a switch, and the air conditioning continues to cool.
Hybrids naturally have large batteries that constantly need recharging. Engineers have developed a system in which simply slowing down, or stepping on the brake recharges the batteries.
“You’re constantly replenishing the battery as you drive,” Joseph explained. “It’s the closest thing to the theory of perpetual motion being put into an application that has come into the market.”
Salesmen at several Central Texas automobile dealers all said hybrids get better gas mileage at slow speeds because that’s when the electric engine propels the car unaided.
“If you’re driving to Austin every day, it’s not quite as cost effective,” said Bud Murray, salesman at Fisher Vincent Ford in Belton.
Some gasoline powered vehicles now get up to 35 miles per gallon on the highway, and cost $3,000 to $4,000 less for the same model.
Murray said the Ford Escape hybrid is popular with New York City cab drivers because it holds so many people, and gets good mileage in city traffic.
Wait time here in Central Texas is six months.
Don Baker recommends the Saturn VUE hybrid for delivery drivers who log about 25,000 miles a year. He said Saturn of Temple receives about one hybrid every six weeks. Baker said big city dealers get more hybrids because they have larger volume and more demand.
Since most of the hybrids on the road in Texas are fairly new vehicles, their batteries have not yet failed. Critics have pointed out the inevitable replacement will be costly. Joseph said that everything hybrid on the Prius, which includes the batteries, is guaranteed for eight years or 100,000 miles. He did not have an estimate, however, for battery replacement cost, and said he hasn’t heard of one needing that service. Other Central Texas dealers said their manufacturers offered similar warranties.
Joseph said the quest to own a hybrid is often fueled by a desire for both lower emissions and less fossil fuel consumption.
“It’s very difficult to quantify or put into numerical terms what the value to the environment is. You’re reducing your carbon footprint. It’s a tangible thing, but it’s hard to measure.”
But there is one aspect to owning a hybrid that can be counted in absolute terms - tax dollars.
Temple accountant Larry Charles Howell said he’s helped several clients gain tax credits for buying hybrids, but Uncle Sam is phasing out the program.
“If someone purchased a qualifying Toyota hybrid in 2007, that taxpayer is still eligible for a reduced tax credit,” Howell said. “Honda’s phaseout began Jan. 1 of this year. All other auto manufacturers who have qualified hybrid vehicles have not met their quotas.”
Honda hybrids are available in Killeen. Salesman Henry Hunter at Cleo Bay Honda said “generally speaking” the wait for a Civic is a couple of weeks.
