Entries from November 2006 ↓

Personal electric vehicles take a wide range of forms and are mostly marketed to urban hipsters – young professional who live near their work (and play) and might even, in good weather, walk on their daily commute. This class of vehicles includes one-seat cars, motor scooters and mopeds, specialized bicycles equipped with motors and even some quasi-golf cart like vehicles intended for use by one person. The one thing they all have in common is their reliance on electric energy as their sole power source.

Sales of personal electric vehicles have increased in recent years, as anyone who has made a visit to a city center has observed. Vespas and Segways proliferate as people adopt modes of transportation designed for one person’s use on relatively short (and slow) trips. This increase is probably sparked by rising energy costs and traffic congestion, especially in cities without affordable and effective public transportation systems.

An Attractive Option for the Single Set

Personal electric vehicles represent the ultimate in independence – they are after all, typically designed to transport only one person, although two people can be technically be crammed into some models. Thus, these vehicles are an attractive option for anyone that doesn’t have a family (or much luggage) to transport.

The multiple versions of personal electric vehicles suggest there is an option for anyone looking for affordable electric transportation for themselves. Some can be charged on standard electrical outlets while others operate on special, more high-powered electric lines. Additionally, some personal electric vehicles can be charged using solar energy. Instructions for this conversion are fairly straightforward and seem like they could be utilized by anyone with a basic understand of electricity.

The increased popularity of personal electric vehicles has implications not only for the owners of vehicles themselves, but also for the organization of cities now and in the future. Because personal electric vehicles allow individuals to expand their personal mobility without clogging streets with additional full sized, gas-powered vehicles, they have the impact to reduce traffic congestion and environmental issues typically witnessed in cities with high population density. Personal electric vehicles may also increase the distance that people are willing to live from their work and recreation area without a car, which could help inner cities remain vibrant and alive.

Lower purchase and maintenance costs also make personal electric vehicles an attractive alternative to full-size vehicles for people who typically make only short trips in their vehicle. Personal electric vehicles may well represent the transportation mode of choice for young urban professionals in the future.

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That is the question!

People have a mass of preconceptions about hybrid cars. Some of these stem from the first few years of hybrids on the market, where battery problems clouded consumers’ joy about these fuel efficient cars finally being attainable. With Lexus, Toyota, Mercury, Honda, Ford and other makers coming out with better and better hybrids each year, some of the kinks about these mileage masters are finally being worked out. The more hybrids people purchase, the more that people trust that hybrids will work for them too. So, the question is whether manufacturers are offering adequate warranties for these vehicles. Are makers compensating for consumers’ fears by placing excellent warranties on their hybrids, or are they just placating us with enough to make us not think about junking it after eight years or 80,000 miles? A good starting place to start when considering the extended warranty is that most hybrids offer a general warranty on the first 36,000 to 40,000 miles, then 80,000 miles on the battery, to lure in battery weary buyers. A further investigation into these futuristic vehicles should show that, much like an extended warranty for your regular car, this can be a gamble.

The real key is considering what items are covered on the warranty. The major concern about hybrids is whether the battery is going to need replacement, even with loving attentiveness paid to how you drive yours. New batteries for hybrid vehicles have been known to be as high as $5,000. A clever way out of this however, is that you can often replace the modules of which the hybrid battery is composed of for less than $150. Knowing that the warranty for your hybrid completely covers the battery under the manufacturer’s warranty for 80,000 miles may be satisfactory enough. Others, who drive a lot, see themselves reaching 80,000 in just four years or less.

Dealerships are often making a bundle on extended warranties. Sometimes they run as high as $1,400. Considering that there is usually a deductible on extended warranties, you may find that many repairs that you would want the warranty to cover would be under a $300 deductible anyway. Many people decide to buy the extended warranty because they want to ward away extra bills down the road. Unfortunately, the deductibles often make that dream unattainable, after all. If you don’t plan to keep the car long past the built-in warranty, then the extended warranty is probably not the right way to go. However, if not having your hybrid a long time includes selling it; an extended warranty can be a great selling point. If the extended warranty option being offered by your dealership remains confusing to you, then consider giving yourself some time to think it over. After all, many people do not even purchase the extended warranty on their vehicles until the manufacturer’s is getting ready to expire. If you drive a lot, then that will still give you about four years to think about it.

The way that hybrids are improving second by second is daunting to their owners. An extended warranty can give some peace of mind if you are worried that your old hybrid model will be obsolete in four to eight years when your warranty expires. Although, you may never use it, it may save the day when a transmission or battery gives out at the most inopportune time. Many people keep a credit card with a high limit for these situations. This way, the money goes straight to the repair, rather than being built into the price of your car and never knowing for sure whether or not you will use it.

If an extended warranty makes you feel better about the fact that you already feel as if you have taken a risk by buying a hybrid, then this is probably the best option. The most important thing about buying an extended warranty is to try and haggle with the dealership. Buy a warranty which pays up-front so you don’t feel like you don’t even have one at all. Try to get one with a low deductible for the same reason, so even small repairs are covered automatically. Where prices have already been cut lean on the general price of a hybrid, an extended warranty can spare to be cut down.

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It is no secret that motorists have a love affair with their automobiles and that their automobiles are a major part of the family’s lifestyle. This critical role is seen in extended work related commutes, vacations, and other weekend outings with the family. However, your concerns for the environment and the future of fossil fuels have led you down an investigation path regarding the purchase of a new hybrid car.

Being completely satisfied with what you have learned, you are now ready to be part of the solution that addresses the rising cost of gasoline. You are in the market for a new hybrid car and you what to know what specific model and make is the best purchase.

Previously, the natural place to purchase your vehicle was at a dealership. However, before you go down to your local dealership, it might be beneficial to explore some other possibilities in purchasing that new hybrid car. Those alternatives include the use of the Internet to conduct comparison shopping and financing.

Comparison Shopping

When beginning your search for a new hybrid car to purchase, it best to be as completely knowledgeable as possible. This knowledge should include the history of the hybrid car, the current performance of hybrid cars and what research is being conducted to improve the new hybrid cars that will be manufactured.

This gained knowledge will allow you to leverage the experience of current hybrid car owners and avoid any unnecessary pitfalls. In addition, if new technology is about to be developed, you certainly want to take full advantage of any cutting edge performance improvements.

Also, when conducting comparison shopping for a new hybrid car, compare the different models and manufacturers. Not all new hybrid cars are created equal. Read reviews conducted and evaluations of test drives performed. Also, comparison shopping should include the warranties offered, performance evaluations and ease of service in your geographical area.

Comparison Financing

When considering a new hybrid car it is also prudent to shop around for the best financing. The easiest and most accessible way to gain the best interest rate is through the internet. Many companies, because of low overhead through their website, often provide a very competitive interest rate. This is due to the fact that they are able to keep their overhead at a lower percent of their operational costs.

Also, many companies offer a lower interest rate if you take advantage of direct payments from your banking account. This also cuts down their administrative fees, and helps to guarantee timely payments. There is one caution associated with this method of payment. Any attempts, by your lender, to draw payment from an account that has insufficient funds may raise your interest rate associated with the loan.

Finally, a new hybrid car may qualify for a special low interest rate with your creditor. Because a new hybrid car is considered an investment in the conservation of our natural resources, some lending institutions now offer lower interest rate on loans for new hybrid cars.

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