Gas Mileage For Current Popular Hybrids

Gas prices are on the rise again.  Whether the prices are rising because it’s almost the summer, or the prices are going to be permanently higher this time, you may be considering purchasing a gasoline electric hybrid.  It doesn’t matter whether you purchase a Toyota Prius or a Chevrolet Silverado pickup, when you get a hybrid vehicle, the gas mileage is better than a similar gasoline powered vehicle.  Statistics show that the sales of gasoline electric hybrids have increased in the last two years.  The number of hybrids sold increased in direct correlation with the increase in the price of a barrel of oil.

Comparing Hybrid Vehicle Mileage

If you are one of the ones considering purchasing a hybrid vehicle, you may be looking for a website where you can compare the mileage of the different hybrid vehicles.  Though the estimated vehicle mileage may be higher than actual results, there are still websites that you can check out to compare the different hybrid vehicle mileage estimates.  For example, the website found at http://www.fueleconomy.gov allows you to compare the different hybrid vehicles side by side so you can compare more than simple gas mileage.  You will also be able to compare air pollution ratings, safety information, and greenhouse gas emissions information.  With the abundance of information you can find on the government website, you can decide which hybrid vehicle is right for you.

If you go to http://www.hybridcars.com, you can find hybrid vehicle mileage, but you can also find information on how to get better gas mileage no matter which type of vehicle you are driving.  This website includes various tools like a list of tips that can help you boost your gas mileage, an explanation of the different factors that will affect your gas mileage, and a calculator to help you figure out the impact of your fuel economy on both your wallet and the environment.  This may help you decide whether you want to pay extra for the hybrid vehicle, and assume that you will make up the difference in your savings in what you pay for gas over the months or years that you own your vehicle.

When you compare the hybrid vehicle mileage, you will find a large discrepancy if you try to compare the vehicle mileage for an SUV with the mileage for a sedan or compact car.  Because the SUV is heavier, the SUV will not get as many MPG as a smaller vehicle.  However, because an SUV gets such poor mileage to begin with, you’ll find that the hybrid gets about twice the MPG as a traditional gasoline powered vehicle.

Estimated vs. Actual Hybrid Vehicle Mileage

With some recent changes in how the EPA has the automakers estimating vehicle mileage, you may find that the estimated hybrid vehicle mileage is very close to the actual mileage you get with your new hybrid vehicle.  However, there are some factors you may want to consider.  Usually these factors will negatively affect the gas mileage you get with your hybrid vehicle.  Rarely, these factors can help you get better gas mileage than the estimated mileage.  In some cases, if you change how you drive, you can increase your hybrid vehicle mileage enough that you get better gas mileage than the estimated vehicle mileage.  You can do this without going to extremes with dangerous tricks like some of those employed by “hypermilers.”  Some “hypermilers” may tailgate a tractor trailer on the highway, which can be a dangerous practice.  It is never good to be too close to such a large truck, as you will be in the driver’s blind spot. 

When you compare hybrid vehicle mileage, you will also want to consider the type of vehicles you compare.  You don’t want to try to compare a vehicle that only seats four people with one that seats eight.  Obviously, the smaller vehicle will get better gas mileage than the large one since the larger vehicle is heavier.  Additionally, the gas mileage will vary according to how many people you are carrying in your car.  If your car is full, you can assume that your load is heavy, and you will get worse gas mileage than if your car was empty, or if there was only the driver in the vehicle.  When hybrid vehicle mileage is calculated, they base their estimates on an empty vehicle with just the driver. 

Purchasing A Hybrid Vehicle

Especially with the cost of gas rising again, you may want to purchase a hybrid vehicle.  At some auto dealerships, they have a long list of people who are interested in purchasing hybrids.  This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get one; just be prepared for the possibility of a long wait.  Unfortunately, in some cases, the high demand for hybrid vehicles has encouraged a price increase for these same vehicles.  There is some wait for the most popular hybrid vehicles; the longest wait is around 6 months for the most popular hybrids.  
 

The Availability Of Used Hybrids

If you are considering a hybrid vehicle, but don’t want to pay the cost of a new hybrid, you may be able to find a previously owned hybrid vehicle.  Some of these cars or trucks are gently used.  Others may have a lot of mileage on them.  In some cases, you may find that you can purchase a used hybrid from a car rental company such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car.  If you choose to purchase a used hybrid vehicle from a car rental place, you know that these vehicles are guaranteed.  At least on the Enterprise website, it states that you have 7 days or up to 1,000 miles to change your mind when you purchase a vehicle from them.  Their website offers the opportunity to get a Kelley Blue Book® value for the vehicle as well as a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report to be sure that the vehicle wasn’t in an accident or there wasn’t any damage to the vehicle that you weren’t informed about.