by: Ron King
For anyone interested in saving money at the gas pump and helping the environment, the new hybrid cars are an excellent choice. Small and fuel-efficient, hybrids are now being made by more manufacturers than ever.
Although hybrids cost more, and can be hard to find due to high demand, it still pays to choose a hybrid. Consider the following reasons to buy a hybrid next time you are in the market for a new car.
Smaller, More Efficient Engines
The hybrid's fuel efficiency is increased by its small size and the use of lightweight materials. Periodic engine shut-off is another fuel saving feature of the hybrid. When it is stopped in traffic, the hybrid's engine temporarily shuts off. The engine restarts automatically when the car is put back in gear.
Hybrids are powered by the combination of an efficient gasoline engine backed by an electric motor for acceleration. The electric motor is powered by batteries that are recharged automatically by recapturing the kinetic energy usually lost during braking, known as regenerative braking. When the car is slowing down, the electric motor runs backwards, acting as a generator to charge the battery.
With this collection of advanced fuel efficiency features, hybrids can outperform conventional cars in several arenas.
Environmental Friendliness
Another reason hybrids are more environmentally friendly than conventional gas engines is that they idle less and use fuel more efficiently. The hybrid not only gets better gas mileage, it produces less pollution than other, non-hybrid cars. Some hybrids are getting 10 to 20 miles per gallon more than a regular gas engine. They are also capable of reducing harmful emissions by 90%.
Many hybrids use aerodynamic design to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. Low rolling tires made of special resistant rubber reduce friction on the road. The high capacity, nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is reliable and available to power the hybrid when needed. Hybrids also use the latest in power-train technology, for integrated power management that contributes to fuel efficiency.
Popularity Enhances Styles And Choices
More makes and models are now being offered as the popularity of hybrid cars continues to escalate. Buyers can now purchase the Honda Civic and Accord, Ford Escape, and Toyota Camry in hybrids. GMC and Chevrolet are currently making 2 hybrid pick-up trucks. In the near future, Saturn, Lexus, Honda, and Chevrolet will make hybrid SUVs available to the public. Chevrolet has plans to offer its Malibu in hybrid form in 2007.
You can get a hybrid that looks like a conventional car, such as the Ford Escape. Or you can choose a hybrid that looks completely different from anything else on the road, such as the Toyota Prius. With so many hybrid cars on the market, there is a style to suit almost everyone.
Tax Incentives Available
People who buy hybrids can get significant tax breaks from the US Federal government through 2006. The amount of your tax break is determined by your tax bracket and when you file. Some states are also starting to offer hybrid car tax breaks as well. Tax breaks backed up over the long run by lower fuel costs make hybrid cars a good buy.
Fuel Efficiency Becomes A Reality
Although most people have been aware of hybrids only in recent years, the technology has actually been around for a long time. Ferdinand Porsche built the first successful hybrid car in 1899. But hybrids first began to catch on in the 1990s when Honda introduced the Insight and Toyota introduced the Prius.
It's been a long wait, but fuel-efficient transportation is finally becoming a reality with the hybrid. As more of these cars take to the road, our air will become cleaner, and our country will be less dependent on foreign sources of oil.
About The Author
Visit http://www.eco-car4u.com to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer, visit his website at http://www.ronxking.com. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
|
What Does Extending Your Taxes Mean to You?
What Does Extending Your Taxes Mean to You?
by: Tiffany J. Morisue
Introduction
As the tax filing deadline is quickly approaching, many procrastinators and those who legitimately are just not ready to file their returns become stressed out and frantic, trying to meet what may virtually be an impossible deadline.
Many would rather rush to get their returns prepared than file an extension.
Common concerns include, but are not limited to, being flagged as a late filer, being assessed penalties, or being more likely to be audited.
If you are one of these individuals, I hope that I can put your mind at ease and inform you of what it really means to extend your tax return and the benefits of doing so.
A few notes before getting started:
- This article is written assuming a tax year that is the same as the calendar year, which is the case for most individual taxpayers.
- If a tax deadline...
Tax help > What Does Extending Your Taxes Mean to You?
Self Employed Mortgage Loan ? Getting a Mortgage When You?re Self Employed
Self Employed Mortgage Loan ? Getting a Mortgage When You?re Self Employed
by: Carrie Reeder
Being self employed has many benefits.
When you are self-employed, you can write off all of your deductions on your taxes.
You have the potential to make more income than someone who is employed by someone else.
You have the freedom to be your own boss.
One of the few times when being self employed has some drawbacks is when you go to get financing for a home or a major purchase.
But, here are some things to know that can help you make the mortgage loan process run smoothly when you are self employed.
When verifying income - In general, lenders want to see at least 2 years of self employment history, sometimes they want to see 3 years.
They will want to see this history verified in tax returns, usually.
Sometimes the lenders will figure your income as being the average income you claimed on...
Tax help > Self Employed Mortgage Loan ? Getting a Mortgage When You?re Self Employed
With Record-High Heating And Fuel Costs, Insulation Is A Simple Way For Americans To Conserve Energy And Save Money
With Record-High Heating And Fuel Costs, Insulation Is A Simple Way For Americans To Conserve Energy And Save Money
by: Robin Bectel
This winter, Americans are opening their home heating bills to find up to 35% increases in their energy costs over last year according to the Energy Information Administration.
Fortunately, there are steps homeowners can implement that will immediately reduce their monthly costs and improve their comfort. Some of these steps may also help you qualify for a Federal tax credit of up to $500.
There are simple things that each of us can do at little or no cost that will help control energy use. One of the most effective things you can do to save energy and manage your energy costs is to add the right amount of insulation to your attic. Basements and crawlspaces are other good places to check since they are easy to access and likely to be under-insulated. When coupled with caulking and sealing around windows...
With Record-High Heating And Fuel Costs, Insulation Is A Simple Way For Americans To Conserve Energy And Save Money
Tax help > With Record-High Heating And Fuel Costs, Insulation Is A Simple Way For Americans To Conserve Energy And Save Money
Do You Need Life Insurance
Do You Need Life Insurance
by: Joseph Kenny
It can be very difficult to decide if you need life insurance. Life insurance can be an extremely onerous financial commitment and investment, and it will also last for a considerable period of time, so you should take careful consideration in deciding if it is the best way of achieving the financial and other goals you and your loved ones may have.
Life Insurance Policy
Basically, a life insurance policy will cause a sum to be paid to the named beneficiary upon the death of the insured. This sum will generally be paid to the beneficiary, free of income tax. So in which instances is life insurance generally used above its alternatives? Well its primary function is to provide death benefit protection in a tax efficient way. For example, if you would like to transfer wealth from your estate to your beneficiaries you can do it through life insurance.
You should now that it may still be liable...
Do You Need Life Insurance
Tax help > Do You Need Life Insurance
A Publisher?s Rant ? Why I Hate Your Byline
A Publisher?s Rant ? Why I Hate Your Byline
by: Halstatt Pires
I?m a publisher for numerous sites. I HATE many of your articles. Here?s why I hate the byline of your article and what you can do about it.
Bylines
The byline of an article is your chance to pimp your site and yourself. I don?t really care what you write. There only time I would forgo using an article because of the byline would be if you?re one of those people that writes seven or eight lines of text. Please try to keep it to three lines or less.
Something To Consider
If you?re writing articles, you undoubtedly know it is a great way to build the link count for a site. Assume you put two links in the byline of an article. Assume further that 60 sites publish your article. You have effectively generated 120 links for your site, a number that would take forever if you were pursuing reciprocal link trades.
Article links are also valued highly by search engines...
A Publisher?s Rant ? Why I Hate Your Byline
Tax help > A Publisher?s Rant ? Why I Hate Your Byline
Be Nice to Your Payroll Department
Be Nice to Your Payroll Department
by: May Bowden
Ok, so next to the taxman, your company payroll department might well be the most criticised people on the planet. Of course, when your pay is accurate and on time then you love the payroll people with a passion but when things go wrong it is a completely different matter. Rightly or not the payroll professionals come in for an awful lot of abuse if your pay is not perfect.
I have had experience of working in a payroll department, in fact, I WAS the payroll department so I am going to put forward a few ways that you can help your payroll department perform their job more efficiently and process all the money that you are due correctly. Yes, it is largely up to you I am afraid!
Your payroll department is only able to work with the information that you give it so it is important that you provide them with everything they need. I don?t mean handing in your expense forms the day after they...
Be Nice to Your Payroll Department
Tax help > Be Nice to Your Payroll Department
Why Buy A Hybrid Car? Tax help
How To Choose The Perfect Retailer For Your Log Furniture
How To Choose The Perfect Retailer For Your Log Furniture
by: Joseph Lapointe
The great thing about looking for a retailer or manufacturer of rustic log furniture is there are plenty of sellers out there these days, especially with the age of the world wide web. Since the birth of the internet everyone and there brother seem to have tried to start making and selling all types of rustic furniture online, but what I am sure that they found out is that making log...
How To Choose The Perfect Retailer For Your Log Furniture Why Buy A Hybrid Car? Tax help
Tax help > How To Choose The Perfect Retailer For Your Log Furniture
Why Buy A Hybrid Car? laptop Tax help