How does hybrid MPG compare to Conventional Cars?

For example, the Toyota Prius is 90 percent cleaner than the average new 2005 car, according to the California Air Resources Board. This five-passenger sedan is considered a Super Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle (SULEV). And with a gas mileage of 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, you'll be able to drive quite some time before you even have to think about refueling. Incidentally, the car gets better mileage in the city because it uses the electric motor more with that type of driving.

For example, the Toyota Prius is 90 percent cleaner than the average new 2005 car, according to the California Air Resources Board. This five-passenger sedan is considered a Super Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle (SULEV). And with a gas mileage of 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, you'll be able to drive quite some time before you even have to think about refueling.

Incidentally, the car gets better mileage in the city because it uses the electric motor more with that type of driving. The 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid falls under the Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle (ULEV) category, which isn't too shabby either. A ULEV is about 50 percent cleaner than the average new 2005 model year car.

And while plenty of 2005 cars fall under this category, they don't match Civic Hybrid's gas mileage of 48 mpg in the city and 47 mpg on the highway. A Civic Hybrid is about 30 percent more fuel efficient than a conventional, gas-powered Civic.
As for the Honda Insight, this little two-seater is the most fuel-efficient car in the country. Its gas mileage is an impressive 61 mpg in the city and 66 mpg on the highway. Its automatic model, which comes with a continuously variable transmission, has been certified as a SULEV vehicle.

What emisions certificte ratings do hybrids have?
All california ratings for 2006
Do the batteries have to be replaced - and how much do they cost. At some point the batteries are going to have to be replaced and they're expensive," says Larry Webster, a technical editor at Car and Driver. "The cost could be anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000." The hybrid parts in a Toyota Prius, including batteries, are covered by an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Honda covers its hybrid systems with an eight-year, 80,000-mile warranty. So in your ninth year as a car owner, you'll be on the hook for any hybrid repairs in addition to the car's ordinary maintenance costs.

Whats the forecast for the hybrid car market?
Higher gas prices are acting as a catalyst for automakers and consumers to find alternatives to the traditional gasoline internal combustions engine," said Anthony Pratt, senior manager of global powertrain forecasting at J.D. Power-LMC. "We anticipate this will lead to dramatic growth, particularly with diesels, over the next several years."