In 1997, the Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid car in Japan and it began to be sold worldwide in 2001. The Prius is extremely fuel efficient and better for the environment than non-hybrid cars, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. If you are thinking about purchasing a Prius, there are several benefits you should be aware of to ensure that it is the best possible car for you.
Gas Mileage
There is much talk about the efficient gas mileage of hybrid cars. These cars function by pairing a gasoline engine with an electric engine. Since the gasoline engine isn't running the entire time the car is running, the gas mileage ends up being much less than a standard car. Consumer Reports puts figures between 44 and 48 miles per gallon for the Toyota Prius. Some users of the car have reported even better gas mileage, above 50 miles per gallon. Consumer Reports shows that of all the hybrids on the market, the Toyota Prius has the best gas mileage.
Lower Maintenance Costs
The Toyota Prius has fewer parts than a standard car, which can lead to reduced maintenance costs. A Toyota Prius does not have an alternator, a starter, a timing belt, a power steering belt, a power steering pump, and it has regenerative brake pads that should never need replacing. Replacing the electric engine also costs less than it would to replace a full gasoline engine. Combine this with the car's fuel efficiency and the owner could save a chunk of money by the end of the year.
Tax and Employee Incentives
While many federal tax incentives for hybrid cars have phased out, there are still several states that offer tax benefits. Colorado, Connecticut and Illinois offer these incentives, and some cities like New York and Los Angeles have special perks for hybrid drivers such as toll or parking discounts. Many countries other than the United States offer even more benefits. Additionally, certain companies such as Hyperion, Bank of America, Google and Timberland will reimburse their employees for purchasing a hybrid car. The reimbursement amount differs among the companies.
Technological Perks
The Toyota Prius gives the impression of a car from the future in several respects. The driver doesn't change gears with a stick but does it on a computer monitor, several panels display the fuel usage, and there is a camera built in to help the driver with backing up during parallel parking. If you have been driving an older car, stepping into a Prius can feel like a major technological upgrade.
The Environment
By owning a Toyota Prius and reducing your gas mileage, you can reduce the amount of chemicals that you put into the environment from gasoline. Damaging chemicals that are produced from fuel include carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide, carbon monoxide, lead and hydrocarbons. These chemicals can lead to global warming, oxygen utilization problems in humans, respiratory illness, acid rain, lung issues and organ damage.
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