As the discussion of climate change becomes more and more prevalent, people are taking an interest in environmentally-friendly vehicles.
When Hypermiling Isn’t Enough
While hypermiling helps drivers reduce their fuel consumption by making modifications or using specific techniques, as such, driving a hybrid car while practising hypermiling can increase your MPG markedly.
That’s because hybrid cars combine their ICEs, or internal combustion engines, with electric engines. Hybrid cars can easily switch between the two to conserve as much fuel as possible while preventing unnecessary fuel emissions from slipping away into the atmosphere, which is where the majority of fuel goes when cars are driven without any hypermiling methods.
As engineers work to make more petrol-efficient models, drivers are saving more on fuel than ever before. Having a high MPG is a win-win for both drivers and the environment, but it doesn’t stop there. In the last few years, both consumers and companies are looking for as many environmentally-friendly options as possible to fight climate change, which has led to some innovative solutions.
Consumers Are Going Green and Companies are Listening
Where some companies create incentives for their customers to go green, others have turned to their office culture to make a difference. There are several different practices companies use to create a more sustainable workplace. Replacing disposable cups, coffee stirrers, and other single-use items are among some of the most common examples of taking a step in the right direction.
For companies who want to take a step further, they design plans to offset their carbon emissions, which means that they compensate for their energy consumption by doing something good for the environment. The Stars Group took initiative by building eco-friendly offices, specifically in Sofia, Bulgaria. The office hosts a variety of green features including the use of thermal insulation to reduce the need for air conditioning, a water collection tank that purifies and reuses rainwater, and of course, charging stations for hybrid vehicles.
Meanwhile, brands like Lush tackled climate change by collaborating with their customers. Besides using minimal packaging and as many natural ingredients in their products as possible, the English cosmetics company launched a recycling program called Bring It Back. The program encourages customers to bring back plastic containers so they can be recycled and in return, they are rewarded with a free product as an incentive for doing good.
In fact, the program is quite reminiscent of the US government’s Car Allowance Rebate System, also known as Cash for Clunkers. Beginning in 2009 to kick the auto industry out of the recession, car owners had the opportunity to receive credits of up to $4,500 for buying a new, energy-efficient car as a reward for turning in their old, petrol-guzzling “clunkers.” Big auto companies like Nissan, GM, and Chrysler participated in the program and quickly were back on their feet as more and more people bought hybrid cars.
Tips for Buying a Hybrid Car
Unfortunately, programs like Cash for Clunkers have been discontinued once the global economy climbed out of the recession. Many drivers are often discouraged from buying hybrids because they tend to run a bit higher when they are new and have costly maintenance fees.
However, hybrids have been shown to withstand much more damage than their standard counterparts, translating to much less time in the shop over their lifespan. So while buyers might feel a dent in their wallets, a hybrid car is definitely a better choice in the long run. There are a few useful tips to buy a hybrid while reaping all the benefits of a standard car.
For example, instead of buying a brand new car fresh off the market, a used hybrid tends to go for around the same price as a standard used car. The only important thing to note with a used hybrid is how many miles it has on it. This has more to do with the battery, which is designed to last for around 100,000 miles.
If a car is only a couple of years old, then a warranty might not be as necessary, because there is still a fair amount left in the battery. Though if the car is older than that, getting a warranty will ensure drivers get their money’s worth.
Final Thoughts
Hybrids are a step in the right direction for anyone who cares about the environment and their budget. Combined with hypermiling practices, drivers are sure to save loads on fuel.
