| Twenty years ago the threat of global warming was | | | | hybrid car sales in the country. Environmental |
| just as abstract and surreal as the threat of alien | | | | awareness? Public health campaigns? Possibly, but |
| invasion is to us today. Yes, of course it's a distinct | | | | more likely than not it has something to do with the |
| possibility. It's something we'll deal with when it gets | | | | way California drivers have figured out how to use |
| here. Today it's here, and it's impossible for us to be | | | | the hybrid car to improve their fiscal fitness. |
| so flippant about it. The permanent damage to the | | | | Hybrids are slightly more expensive to purchase at |
| ozone layer that we can't seem to come up with a | | | | the beginning that their petroleum powered |
| way to fix, coupled with the rising number of days | | | | counterparts, but in the wake of gas prices that hit |
| when the smog alert is a vitally important number, is | | | | record highs in recent years the amount of money |
| driving many California residents to go green and | | | | many drivers can save on gas through their better |
| invest in a hybrid car. | | | | mileage is making the investment worth it. Depending |
| What is a Hybrid? | | | | on driving conditions the Toyota Prius averages |
| The concept of a hybrid car isn't at all unusual. | | | | between 45 and 48 miles to the gallon, as opposed |
| Hybrids have been around for years, combining | | | | to the 35 or below typically seen in most gas guzzling |
| power sources to achieve maximum results. There | | | | vehicles. Those extra ten miles between rest stops |
| are many types of hybrid car on the market today; | | | | are paying off with some major pay-offs. |
| however, if you were to ask just about anyone | | | | If saving on gas isn't enough, maybe saving on |
| what a hybrid is the first thing that would come to | | | | parking will be. Various cities from one end of |
| their minds is the electric hybrid. | | | | California to the other have begun offering anyone |
| Electric hybrids like the Toyota Prius have become | | | | driving a hybrid car free streetside parking. Many |
| extremely well known in today's society, blending | | | | businesses are handing out prime parking spots left |
| gasoline engines with battery back-up to give cars | | | | and right in a manner previously reserved for the |
| more power with less fuel combustion. When the | | | | handicapped to people behind the wheel of a hybrid. |
| vehicle needs to accelerate it does so using the | | | | Drivers may even get lucky enough to find a |
| electric power from the battery rather than the fuel | | | | charging station for their hybrid battery in their |
| power of the gas. Less burning fuel provides fewer | | | | parking garage. |
| emissions, which equates to healthier air-and much | | | | There are many, many benefits of to owning a |
| better gas mileage. | | | | hybrid car for the average California driver, but |
| The Benefits of Owning a Hybrid Car in California | | | | whether your interest is in the daily smog alert or the |
| Everyone likes to feel like they're doing their part for | | | | balance in your checking account nothing beats |
| the environment, but let's face it-that's probably not | | | | knowing you're making life a little bit better for |
| what's made California a leader in hybrid sales in the | | | | everyone by getting behind the wheel of a hybrid. |
| past. In 2008 California had the highest number of | | | | |