Two Incorrect Myths Regarding Hybrids

by: JonButtress
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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.

While hybrids have certainly become a popular alternative to big gas guzzlers, there are some definite assumptions that simply are not true. The assumptions are both positive and negative, so let's take a closer look at two of the big ones.

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?

If you want to claim a tax credit for buying a hybrid, you have to comply with a few regulations. First, you have to purchase a brand new hybrid. Second, the IRS must have ceritifed the car. Third, you can only claim the amount then available.

Many people want to know the amount of the hybrid tax credit, but it is an impossible question to answer. The IRS sets a different amount for each and every car. It then has the option of reducing this amount each quarter of the year.

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.

Many people are outraged by the phasing out of the tax credit available for hybrids, particularly the manufacturers. Talk about a selling point! The credit, however, was never meant to support an industry, only generate interest in it.

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.

The great hybrid conspiracy is truly funny once you look at a key fact. Each new hybrid comes with a battery warranty between 80,000 and 100,000 miles. This would suggest that they last a long time, no?

Is a hybrid for you? Maybe it is and maybe it is not. The important thing is to ignore the myths, get the facts and then make a decision you can live with happily.

About the Author

Jon Buttress writes about issues surrounding gasoline use and costs for HybridCarDealerDepot.com  

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