At 3K miles a year you could drive a Humvee and use about the same amount of fuel than a Prius driver driving an average amount of miles. Not that I'm recommending you get a Humvee...
I understand that some jurisdictions allow hybrids to use HOV lanes. Including VA. However if you want full benefit of that you want to buy soon, and even then you only get year of the benefit -
New Law for Hybrids on HOV Lanes takes effect July 1, 2006
Hybrid vehicles with the required clean fuel plates are permitted to use the HOV lanes until July 1, 2007. However, beginning July 1, 2006, the Department of Motor Vehicles will issue clean fuel license plates with a new design to distinguish them from the existing clean fuel plate. Only those vehicles with plates issued prior to July 1, 2006 will be permitted to use the I-95-395 HOV lanes. Vehicles with the new plates will be permitted to use the I-66 and Dulles Toll Road HOV lanes but not the 95/395 HOV lanes.
Not all hybrids qualify for clean special fuel license plates. The following hybrids meet California's super ultra-low emission vehicle rating or the Environmental Protection Agency's equivalent and, therefore, qualify for a clean special fuel license plate: Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Honda Civic, 2005 Ford Escape, 2006 Ford Escape, 2006 Toyota Highlander, 2006 Lexus RX400, 2006 Mercury Mariner. More information is available at www.dmv.virginia.gov
virginiadot.org
I didn't know about that when I bought a car. Still it might not have made any difference. A few years from now they will probably have high performance hybrids but for now your choices are limited.
My tennant's mother and one of my sisters both have a Prius and they both like them. OTOH if your used to performance cars you will probably be disapointed by the acceleration and handleing. I believe the torque from the electric motors can actually give good, maybe very good acceleration right off the line (say zero to 5 mph), but there overall horsepower levels are relatively low, and they aren't set up for taking cloverleafs at 60... |
