With todayês skyrocketing gas prices, hybrid cars are very much in the news, and Vince Sheehy, WANADAês immediate past chairman, was an able spokesman for the industry in a recent Fox 5 Morning News interview.
Hybrids today are no compromiseê vehicles in terms of performance, Sheehy pointed out during the 7-minute interview (lengthy by TV standards). The vehicle works on two
power systems, a gasoline engine and a battery component, and they offer everything you have in
a conventional vehicle today. The difference is they get much better gas mileage for the same level of performance, said Sheehy.
He also pointed out that a tax deduction between $1500 and $2000 is available for purchasing a hybrid, and that hybrids can get you on an HOV lane as a single driver in Virginia. And that is why Virginia has become the second best market in the country next to California for hybrids.
Sheehy also noted that the Ford Escape SUV will be out in the Fall, which will be the first no
compromise sport utility vehicle that contains a hybrid engine. There was a test in New York City, and with one tank of gas, this vehicle ran 585 miles through the streets of New York.
Although hybrid cars can cost $2500 to $4000 more than comparable gasoline-powered models, Sheehy said that, customers will end up ahead of the game by the time theyêre done when you factor in fuel economy and the tax deduction.
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