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Top Green Hybrid Car Tips
- Educate yourself.
To be a conscious buyer,you first need to educate yourself about the various kinds of hybrid cars (remember, that's full, assist, and mild hybrids) and take a good look at the real reasons you have for owning a car. The goal is to find the best match between a hybrid car and your needs and goals.
- Define your Needs
If you're considering buying a hybrid car, start by creating a list of what your needs are. How many passengers do you generally carry? How much cargo space you need? What type of terrain and weather do you need to conquer most often? If you tow a boat just twice a year, for example, you might not really need towing capabilities the rest of the time. (You could always rent or borrow on those two days.) And if you transport more than 4 passengers only a few times per year, you probably don't not need a seven-seater.
- Define Your Goals
Some people want a hybrid car for environmental reasons,such as maximizing fuel-efficiency and minimizing smog-forming tailpipe emissions; some for financial, such as saving money on gas and having a low total-cost of ownership. Yet others want to make a statement or "vote with their wallets" to help build a market for cleaner cars, and to help promote the technology. Whatever your reasons - and they may likely be a combination of these factors - defining your goals can help you decide which car is right for you.
- Get the low-down on local policies.
Some local governments offer special exemptions for hybrid vehicles, such as free reign to drive in High Occupancy Vehicle, or HOV, lanes, regardless of the number of people in the car. Some companies also offer preferred parking for hybrids, or employee rebates. Looking into federal and local tax incentives is also worthwhile.
- Check Out Our Hybrid Car Buying Guide.
So you've assessed your transportation needs, determined your environmental goals, and secured that car loan. Now it's time to get down to the business of specific makes and models. That's where our forthcoming guide for Buying Green Hybrid Cars comes in. Stay tuned for our reviews and picks that fit different lifestyles.
- Use the Onboard Computer to Drive More Efficiently.
So you've purchased a hybrid car--congratulations! There's still more you can do. By adjusting some habits, and especially by using the onboard computer available in most hybrid cars (we wish all vehicles had them!), you can monitor things such as your current and past fuel economy, which can help you learn to be a more efficient driver by understanding which practices get the best (or worst) fuel economy, you can then adjust accordingly. It's almost like a game - seeing your "score" encourages you to do better.
- Remember That General Green Driving Tips Apply to Hybrids, Too.
Hybrid car engines may be more advanced than internal combustion versions, but that doesn't mean you should forget about general green driving tips. Driving at a relatively constant speed as much as possible, combining trips, coasting to decelerate, keeping your tires properly inflated, removing unnecessary weight from the car (don't carry those bowling balls in the trunk permanently!), reducing aerodynamic drag (by removing cargo racks, for example), and avoiding excessive idling are all ways to help you minimize your environmental footprint -- and maximize fuel efficiency -- no matter what you’re driving.
- Become a hypermiler!
Hypermiling, or the act of tweaking every little thing you do to inch your fuel efficiency ever higher, is practically considered an art form by the people (known as "hypermilers"), who practice it. Perfecting the skill requires some dedication (some drivers even do it for sport) but the basic principles begin with the tips mention in tip 7, above. Put them all together, and make it your M.O. to save fuel at every turn, and before you know it, you'll be a seasoned pro hypermiling down the highway.
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