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Hybrid Vehicles - Good For Your Wallet, The Environment & The American Economy
By Roman Robinson
You may be surprised to find out that the United States consumes a quarter of the world’s oil supply but only carries three percent of the world’s oil reserves on its own territory. As a result, America is forced to import over 60% of the oil our country needs, relying more and more on foreign countries, particularly in the Middle East, to support our oil dependency.
Many experts are under the impression that the introduction and popularity of hybrid vehicles in the US will lessen our dependency on overseas oil. Powered jointly by gasoline and electric engines, hybrids use much less gasoline than conventional vehicles and therefore use less oil. Over 11 million barrels of oil are imported into the US each day and although most of it is contributed to industry, the running of vehicles still uses quite a bit of oil and hybrids provide a way to limit that amount.
Because the market reacted so well towards the introduction of hybrid vehicles, it is predicted that more Americans will buy the fuel-efficient automobiles, which also lower gasoline costs and are better for the environment. Many hybrid buyers are also gaining incentives, offered by the government, and have been spreading the word about the benefits of hybrid vehicles to their friends and families
Though US oil dependency will be affected by the sales of hybrids, it is unlikely that it will be a huge selling factor. It was recently discovered that if every car in the US was a hybrid car, the country would be saving approximately 15 percent more oil than usual. Because oil is such a hot commodity, this seemingly small amount could change a lot in the political and economical world as well effect as the attitude American consumers have about the environment.
Though consumers are welcoming hybrids to the market, the vehicles are being sold faster than they can be made and the change in US dependency will come slowly. Despite the effects the vehicles have on oil usage, the environment and the amount of gasoline used, many car owners are unlikely to trade in their current vehicles for a hybrid model. The process, however, has begun and it won’t be long before the effects of purchasing a hybrid will be seen in American economy.
If the prospects of saving hundreds of dollars a month on gasoline costs, helping the environment and benefiting from buyer incentives isn’t enough to make your next car a hybrid, think of the amount of oil your country imports from others and do something to help lower that dependency.
Roman Robinson is a writer for buying-tires.com. He shares his passion for hybrid vehicles and the outstanding benefits they offer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roman_Robinson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hybrid-Vehicles—Good-For-Your-Wallet,-The-Environment-and-The-American-Economy&id=1105361
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May 14th, 2008 at 6:08 am
I think that you’re right. We do need to stop the dependancies as well as offer more incentive for people who do decide to purchase these vehicles, and not only on gas-electric cars but also on E85 cars (cars that run on 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). This is going to be a long process but with the help of the government and the continuation of research we will be able to improve our environment and our overall way of life.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:35 am
Great article. I’d like to add that plug-in hybrids and electric cars will go even further to decrease any country’s dependence on oil. Furthermore, even countries that export oil and gas like Norway are switching from these fuel sources for environmental regions. I have posts about Norway switching to wind power, Holland switching to wind power and electric cars, and Germany with huge solar and wind power programs already in place, at my blog.
Hybrids and pure electric cars have been readily available in Europe for many years now, and are becoming readily available in India, etc. The main reason why hybrids are not available in the US in large numbers, let alone electric cars, is that Detroit and the oil companies have lobbied against them (see “who killed the electric car?” and learn that Detroit spent far more lobbying against electric cars than it spent on R&D for electric cars, even though it used that R&D for as much good PR as possible). All documented at my blog (greenchemistry.wordpress.com) with primary news sources.
Thanks again for the great post. Jim