| Hybrid Cars are becoming more and more | | | | state they are giving their employees this |
| popular. Hybrids are both stylish and have a | | | | opportunity in order to give back to the |
| reputation for being safe and fuel efficient. With | | | | community. They feel that their locations have |
| more and more consumers focusing on the | | | | given to them through sales and in return they |
| ongoing problem of air pollution, it is not surprising | | | | should give back to their community by providing |
| they are drawn to hybrid Cars. Toyota and Lexus | | | | cleaner air. Companies like Google even go so far |
| sold over 60,000 Hybrid Cars combined since Jan | | | | to offer extensive group transportation schedules |
| 1 2006. Hybrid Vehicles are easy on the | | | | as well to further the positive effects on your |
| environment as well as your pocketbook. The | | | | communitys air quality. |
| fact that they are designed to be kind to the | | | | The fact that hybrids are environmentally friendly |
| environment is getting the attention of many | | | | is also getting the attention of local governments |
| consumers, businesses, and governments. Hybrids | | | | across the United States. Local governments are |
| operate using both a small gasoline engine and an | | | | offering free parking to hybrid drivers. Many cities |
| electric engine. The two work independently and | | | | like Los Angeles are allowing hybrid owners to |
| together to create one of the most efficient | | | | park for free at city lots and parking meters. This |
| methods of transportation. The smaller gasoline | | | | incentive is showing consumers that the local |
| engine uses much less gasoline to operate the | | | | government is supporting smart and |
| hybrid than a conventional gasoline powered | | | | environmentally wise shopping. With everyone in a |
| vehicles uses. Therefore, owners of hybrids can | | | | community focused on being environmentally |
| enjoy lower fees at the gas pump. In addition, | | | | responsible, there is a common goal that leads to |
| since the hybrids use less gas, they emit fewer | | | | a better overall community. |
| pollutants. And help America become less | | | | In addition to the employers and government |
| dependent on forein oil. In fact, experts agree | | | | incentives, a few insurance companies are also |
| that a typical hybrid will emit up to 90% fewer | | | | offering incentives to hybrid drivers, in order to |
| pollutants than a typical automobile. These | | | | reward them for their smart choice. Although it |
| statistics are amazing and are the cause of many | | | | would seem that the insurance companies were |
| new developments and incentives being offered | | | | offering these discounts because statistics have |
| to consumers. For instance with the purchase of | | | | shown hybrid drivers are less likely to file claims, it |
| a Hybrid Car you get tax incentive savings. Along | | | | is not the case. At this time there is not enough |
| with savings at the gas pump. Here is a list of | | | | evidence, according to experts, to be able to |
| some typical hybrid cars MPG. | | | | determine the risks hybrid drivers may or may |
| Car Make/Model – city/hwy | | | | not pose for an insurance company. The |
| Honda Insight – 60/66 | | | | companies offering incentives are simply doing so |
| Toyota Prius – 60/51 | | | | to promote smart environmental decisions by |
| Honda Civic Hybrid – 49/51 | | | | consumers. |
| Volkswagen Golf TDI – 37/44 | | | | Consumers hear on the news and weather |
| Volkswagen New Beetle TDI – 37/44 | | | | channel daily about the risks of global warming and |
| Volkswagen Jetta TDI – 36/41 | | | | air pollution. When you live in a large city, there |
| Toyota Corolla – 32/41 | | | | are even days when smog alerts are as serious |
| Scion xA – 32/37 | | | | as a tornado. It is not fiction that air pollution |
| Hyundai Accent – 32/35 | | | | damages humans and the Earth. Therefore, it is |
| Kia Rio – 32/35 | | | | our responsibility to make wise choices when it |
| Honda Civic – 30/40 | | | | comes to pollutants. Anything consumers can |
| Pontiac Vibe – 30/36 | | | | possibly do to cut down on their own personal |
| Toyota Matrix – 30/36 Even some | | | | pollution levels is a great thing. With our schedules |
| businesses are offering incentives to employees | | | | being busier than ever, it is not likely everyone |
| who are planning to buy, or already own hybrids. | | | | can forgo their vehicle for the greater good of |
| Some businesses, such as Google, are offering | | | | the planet. However, hybrids are now offering a |
| $5000 for each employee toward the purchase | | | | nice middle ground that allows everyone to profit. |
| of a new hybrid. Hyperion, the software company | | | | Consumers, corporations, and local governments |
| based in Santa Clara, California is also offering this | | | | are realizing the benefits. With long waiting lists in |
| cash incentive. Most corporations set aside millions | | | | place for the newest hybrid arrivals, it is likely the |
| in the yearly budget in order to compensate for | | | | hybrid will be the vehicle of the future! |
| these incentives. When asked, the corporations | | | | |