Hybrid cars

10-Toyota Highlander Hybrid
26 MPG
$33,700


9-Lexus RX400H
26 MPG
$42,000


8-Mazda Tribute Hybrid
32 MPG
$26,000


7-Mercury Mariner Hybrid
32 MPG
$27,000



6-Ford Escape Hybrid
32 MPG
$26,300



5-Toyota Camry Hybrid
33 MPG
$25,500



4-Nissan Altima Hybrid
34 MPG
$25,100


3-Honda Civic Hybrid
42 MPG
$22,600



2-Toyota Prius
46 MPG
$21,300



1-Honda Insight (production stopped--still the best!)
60 MPG
$19,000

Source: Wikipedia

Fuel consumption

Current HEVs reduce petroleum consumption (compared to otherwise similar conventional vehicles) primarily by using three mechanisms:

a) Reducing wasted energy during idle/low output, generally by turning the ICE off;
b) Recapturing waste energy (i.e. regenerative braking);
c) reducing the size and power of the ICE engine, and hence inefficiencies from under-utilization, by using the better torque response of electric motors to compensate for the loss in peak power output from the smaller ICE.

Any combination of these three primary hybrid technologies may be used for different fuel usage, power, emissions, weight and cost profiles. The ICE in an HEV is smaller, lighter, and more efficient than the one in a conventional vehicle, because the combustion engine can be sized for slightly above average power demand rather than peak power demand.

A standard combustion engine is required to operate over a range of speed and power, yet its highest efficiency is in a narrow range of operation; in an HEV, the ICE operates within its range of highest efficiency. The power curve of electric motors is better suited to variable speeds and can provide substantially greater torque at low speeds compared with internal-combustion engines.

The greater fuel economy of HEVs has implication for reduced petroleum consumption and vehicle air pollution emissions worldwide

Durability

Reduced wear on the gasoline engine, particularly from idling with no load. Reduced wear on brakes from the regenerative braking system use.

Environmental impact

Reduced noise emissions resulting from substantial use of electric motor at low speeds, leading to roadway noise reduction and beneficial noise health effects( although road noise from tires and wind, the loudest noises at highway speeds fron the interior of most vehicles, are not affected by the hybrid design alone).

Note, however, that this is not always an advantage; for example, people who are blind or visually-impaired, and who rely on vehicle-noise while crossing streets, find it more difficult to do safely.

Reduced air pollution emissions due to lower fuel consumption, leading to improved human health with regard to respiratory and other illness. Pollution reduction in urban environments may be particularly significant due to elimination of idle-at-rest.

The purchase of hybrid electric cars qualifies for a federal income tax credit up to $3,400 on the purchaser's Federal income taxes.

The tax credit is to be phased out two calendar quarters after the manufacturer reaches 60,000 new cars sold in the following manner: it will be reduced to 50% ($1700) if delivered in either the third or fourth quarter after the threshold is reached, to 25% ($850) in the fifth and sixth quarters, and 0% thereafter.

This means that Toyota Prius tax benefits are rapidly disappearing.

Many states give additional tax credits to hybrid electric car buyers.