Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) usually combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery that is charged through operation of the vehicle, not from a separate power source. Most HEVs sold today run on regular unleaded gasoline but hybrids can also be designed to run on any other conventional or alternative fuel.

There are many benefits to HEVs, including increased fuel economy and drastically reduced emissions. Light-duty HEVs usually perform within a range of 20 to 70 miles per gallon, depending on the size, technology, and driving cycle of the vehicle. Improved efficiencies vary from only 10% to 50% or even more depending on the specific hybrid
technology used in the vehicle.

Hybrid electric vehicles are cost competitive with similar conventional vehicles. The cost premiums for HEVs can be offset by fuel cost savings and tax incentives. However, the environmental benefits far outweigh any gap in cost efficiency, since HEVs usually emit much lower levels of emissions than gas-powered vehicles. While the complexity of these vehicles adds to their cost, many still greatly improve gas mileage and prove to be an investment in the long run.

Links

• To find out more about hybrid electric vehicles that are currently available, please download our 2009 Buyer's Guide.

• To find out what hybrid models qualify for tax credits, please visit the International Revenue Service.

• To see a comparison of hybrid vehicles with estimated city & highway MPG, annual fuel cost, carbon foot print and more, please visit FuelEconomy.gov.

• For more information on hybrid-electric vehicles, please visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center.