PA offering rebates on hybrid cars

[Nevada]

very cool

State To Offer Rebates On Hybrid Vehicles

POSTED: 12:52 pm EDT April 12, 2005

With gas prices continuing to hit record levels, the state is hoping a new rebate program will encourage Pennsylvanians to buy alternative fuel vehicles.

Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty said Tuesday that Pennsylvania residents who purchase a hybrid vehicle are eligible to receive a $500 rebate.

The rebate program will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis through the rest of this year.

Click here to learn more about the program from the DEP.
Copyright 2005 by TheWGALChannel

[Ysobelle]

With hybrids running between $13k and $30k, $500 is nice, but....


I still long for a Honda Insight. Or at least a Civic Hybrid.

Yum.

[KissMeKate]

I have to say I LOVE my Civic-Hybrid (especially now with gas prices constantly creeping up)! I was lucky enough to get the federal rebate when I bought mine, so it's great to hear that at least one state is also trying an incentive to boost the hybrid industry!

[Ysobelle]

So do you notice much difference between a Civic Hybrid and an...um...gas-snorting Civic?

[KissMeKate]

About another 10 mpg, for an average of 45 mpg.

There are a few differences that take some time to get used to and make me a hazard when I try to drive a "normal" car!

You can't put the back seats down (not that there's a lot of room in a regular Civic) and you lose a little of the space for the big batteries. I didn't mind the loss as I only needed the extra room through the trunk once.

Once the engine warms up, it's warmer than 40 degrees outside, and you have the air system set to "economy", the engine will turn itself off when you come to a complete stop (like at a stop light). This saves all the gas you burn while idling in traffic. The engine starts when you lift your foot from the brake and is ready to go by the time you get back to the gas petal.

Mine has the continuous transmission (CVT) so there's really no gear changing unless you really stomp on the gas petal to pass someone. And not only does that really hurt your gas mileage, you only have about 85 horses under there in the first place.

Don't worry, it still has plenty of pickup. But I find I know drive to maximize my gas mileage. That means a slow steady climb in speed and I start to decelerate sooner (if I have the chance) as that helps to recharge the batteries.

For hills, the Civic outperforms the Toyota hybrid, but if you do more city driving (under 35 mph) the Toyota might be a better option because it works a little differently. But for moderate highway driving, I can get upwards of 60 mpg. Of course, if once you get over 70 mph, your gas mileage starts to head down the tubes.

[Ysobelle]

Toyota? Perish the thought! I'm a Honda girl to my core. I have three product loyalties: Pepsi, Macintosh, and Honda.

Now, if I only had the money to indulge the latter two more often....

[KissMeKate]

Richard's a Toyota man so we've looked at the Prius, but he doesn't really like the look of the newer models, nor is he willing to fork out the dough. I'm a Honda woman too and was hooked on the Hybrid after my test drive. Drove mine off the lot with 3 miles on it and I'm up at 45,000 now!

Got my first chance to play with the new Mini Macintosh and I have to say I REALLY like it! But it's been a long time since I switched from my Powerbook back to the evil empire, so I'd have to learn all my Mac tricks again. I still like the portability of my laptop, but now am trying to figure out how to afford one of the little tiny 3 pound ones that I'd be able to tote around more easily.

[Eric McTavish]

Now if we could get a Hyberd truck tha can haul all my SCA gear around I'd be in heaven!

[Nevada]

That's what I am waiting for Eric...a nice hybrid truck...though read that someone has comeout with a hybrid SUV

[Kae]

I am waiting for the air car to come out. Those look amazing. (www.theaircar.com)

kae

[Nevada]

okay air car is kind of cool looking...I am all for it...on the road around 3 hrs a day to and from work as it is...

[Cassandra from VTRF]

All this AFTER I got my new car.


:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

[Ysobelle]

That's what I am waiting for Eric...a nice hybrid truck...though read that someone has comeout with a hybrid SUV


Honda, I think. Gleee!

[KissMeKate]

GMC is working on a hybrid truck, Toyota is working on a Hybrid SUV for the upcoming year, and Ford is using Toyota's previous hybrid technology to work on their own SUVs. Figure that the hybrid engine will be about an extra $3K over the regular vehicle price.