Today, gasoline costs over four dollars a gallon in the United States (two dollars in California) with diesel at five in many areas. After this writing, the price is likely to increase. These prices are rivaling those in Europe, and truckers, taxi drivers, and everyone else are crumpling under this pressure. Home foreclosures are worsened by gas prices; families are becoming desperate and falling through the financial security blanket they once had. America has an economic problem, and the price of gas is a large contributor to it.
America has been through a depression before. We were taken out of it, just as we will be this time. While this may seem too hopeful in a time when the all-American V8 engine is on the brink of extinction on dealer lots, there is a solution; or, more specifically, a number of solutions available today. All of the below options will ensure you do not end up with another hundred-dollar gas payment to fill up your tank.
Solution 1: Hybrid (gasoline-electric) vehicles: This technology does not require any more attention than gasoline vehicles. You fill up at the same gasoline pumps; you do not have to plug anything into the battery. These vehicles are beneficial to the planet, your wallet, and just about anything else. The only extra investment (monetarily) is when you buy the car. The below information is from USA today and shows the number of years before you start saving money on hybrid vehicles.
Information on hybrid vehicles.
Vehicle (2008 Model Year)
- Toyota Prius: Midsize car (hatchback). This vehicle attains 48 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 45 mpg in highway driving. It will take approximately 2.6 years for the extra cost of they hybrid battery to be recouped in fuel savings. There are no federal tax incentives. Regional tax incentives differ if there are any. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- Toyota Camry: Midsize car (sedan). This car has a 33 mpg rating for city driving and 34 mpg on the highway. It takes about 1.7 years to retain the added investment for they hybrid system through fuel savings. There are no federal tax incentives. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- Toyota Highlander: Midsize SUV. Gas mileage for this car is 27 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. This vehicle will recoup the added cost in fuel savings in approximately 12.7 years. There are no federal tax incentives for this vehicle. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- Lexus RX 400h: Midsize SUV. Gas mileage for this vehicle is 27 mpg in the city with 24 mpg for highway driving. There are no federal tax incentives for this vehicle. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- Lexus LS 600h: Large car (sedan). Gas mileage is 20 mpg in the city with 22 mpg on the highway. It takes approximately 102.6 years to recoup the added cost of the hybrid system through savings from lower fuel costs. There are no federal tax incentives for this vehicle. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- Honda Civic: small car (sedan). Gas mileage for this vehicle is 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. It will take about 5 years to recoup the cost of the hybrid system. The federal government offers tax deductions of 525 dollars. There are no federal tax incentives for this vehicle. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- Ford Escape: small SUV. Gas mileage is 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. It takes about 4.4 years to recoup the cost of the added investment through fuel savings. This vehicle is made in America. Federal tax incentives are 3,000 dollars. There are no federal tax incentives for this vehicle. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- Mercury Mariner: small SUV. Gas mileage is 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. It takes about 4.4 years to recoup the cost of the added investment through fuel savings. This vehicle is made in America. Federal tax incentives are 3,000 dollars. There are no federal tax incentives for this vehicle. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- Mazda Tribute: small SUV. Gas mileage is 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. It takes about 4.4 years to recoup the cost of the added investment through fuel savings. This vehicle is made in America. There are no federal tax incentives for this vehicle. Federal tax incentives are 3,000 dollars. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- Nissan Altima: midsize car (sedan). Gas mileage is 35 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. It takes 3.5 years to recoup the added cost of the hybrid battery. Federal tax incentives are 3,250 dollars. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not..
- Chevrolet Tahoe: Large SUV. This vehicle attains 21 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. It takes 4.9 years to recoup the added cost of the hybrid system. This vehicle is made in America and recieves 2,200 dollars in tax credits. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- GMC Yukon: Large SUV. This vehicle attains 21 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. It takes 4.9 years to recoup the added cost of the hybrid system. This vehicle is made in America and receives 2,200 dollars in tax credits. Some counties or state governments chose to offer such incentives while others do not.
- When and where this technology is convenient: Gasoline-electric vehicles are most convenient in the west coast where hybrid sales are strongest (California) because gas prices are highest in these areas. Another reason for the convenience in west-coast areas is also partially due to more choice because automakers are sending a large portion of their hybrid vehicles to these areas. Out of all of the other technologies, this one is the most convenient today because it is available, increased costs are low and decreasing, and it does not require any more investment from people other than an extra cost. The future for this technology is bright with many more new models coming out each year.
