A Couple Common Misconceptions About Hybrids

Posted by Aazdak Alisimo

Capitalism is amazing because the people have the ability to control its direction. By people, of course, I mean consumers. As modern society has become environmentally conscious and gas price savvy, the hybrid vehicle has appeared.

The day you knew hybrids were here to stay was the day car companies started announcing hybrid SUVs. Imagine, all the size and little of the guilt. That being said, there are some misconceptions about hybrids, so lets address the big two.

The first myth is that you will get a major tax break if you buy a hybrid vehicle. This is generally true, but not absolutely. Just to make you groan, you should know the agency that controls the issue. Yes, the IRS. So, when can you get a tax credit?

Well, there are a few rules. First, you have to buy a new hybrid from a dealer. Second, you can only claim a tax credit if you buy an IRS approved hybrid. Third, you need to figure out the tax credit amount available when you actually buy the hybrid.

The funny thing about the tax benefit of purchasing a hybrid is it is a moving target. The IRS initially sets an upper limi and then has the option to lower that amount each quarter of the year after it analyzes the number of cars sold.

This lowering of tax credit amounts can be a real shock to someone that purchased a hybrid. As of the writing of this article, the famous Toyota Prius is about to lose all of its tax credit. One has to think that fact is going to hurt sales.

The Japanese manufacturers have always been way ahead in the game. Toyota is about to lose its tax credit, and Honda can see the end of its in a few years time. This is just the way the law was written, not a territorial matter.

A second area of misunderstanding with the hybrid vehicle has to do with the batteries. Obviously, the car requires special batteries. There is a myth that they have to be replaced every 40,000 miles. This is alleged to be a big problem because they are expensive.

In truth, there is no requirement that hybrid batteries be changed every 40,000 miles or so. Most brands come with warranties of up to 100,000 miles. Although hybrids are fairly new, the batteries are reported to last well into the hundreds of thousands of miles.

Hybrids represent definitive progress in kicking our oil addiction. That being said, they are not the cure all to it. When deciding whether to buy a hybrid, ignore the fluff, collect the facts and then do what you think is right.

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Tags: Automotive

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