By Heidi Paek, July 13, 2006

Are you in the market for a new car? If you're like me - getting 17 miles MPG in a 1997 SUV with faulty air conditioning - maybe it's time to consider all the options.

Now that oil prices are emptying everyone's pockets, hybrid-electric cars are worth considering. These cars look like most others, but under the hood they have two propulsion systems: a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Hybrids combine the best features of the internal combustion engine with an electric drive system that significantly improves fuel economy without sacrificing performance or driving range.

Hybrid-electric vehicles offer five key advantages:

1. A wide variety of makes and models. Since hybrids come in all forms (compact cars, sedans, pickup trucks, and SUVs), it's easy to find one that suits your lifestyle. Most major automakers offer fresh styles and a full range of options, and will continue to do so as consumer interest and demand increases.

2. High fuel economy. Hybrids save money over the life of the vehicle because they require 20% to 50% less gas than traditional cars. They are consistently ranked as the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road.

3. Purchase incentives. A variety of rebates, tax deductions, and travel advantages are available to hybrid purchasers. The federal government offers a tax credit of up to $3,400 for the purchase of a hybrid. In Massachusetts, Governor Romney is supporting a bill which calls for a $2,000 state tax deduction, a sales tax and excise tax rebate, and unrestricted use of the carpool lanes by hybrid drivers. In addition, companies like Google, Bank of America, Timberland, and Patagonia make generous contributions toward the purchase of a hybrid as part of their employee benefits packages.

4. Lower overall emissions. Hybrids produce up to 50% less greenhouse gas, and up to 90% fewer smog forming pollutants.

5. Affordable price. Although hybrids tend to cost a few thousand dollars more than their traditional counterparts, the premium on the sticker price is more than offset by the long-term fuel savings (not to forget the financial incentives listed in reason #3).

As a testament to the practicality of hybrid technology, tens of thousands of hybrid-electric cars are on the road already. Many of the most popular models can be seen around Ipswich. They're driven every day by people like Town Manager Bob Markel, Leonard Swanson of New Mill Place, Harvey Schwartz of Marshview Road, Julie Ricard of High Street, and Don Bowen of Skytop Road.

Speaking positively about her experience with driving a hybrid over the past year, Dana Bingham of Mulholland Drive says "I couldn't say better things about mine. I drive a lot and I really appreciate the fact that it gets over 40 MPG." Bingham, who attends college in Vermont, became interested in hybrids in 2001 - the year her forward-thinking grandmother became the first in the family to own one.

Mark Avenmarg of Ipswich Natural Foods drives a 2002 Honda Insight. The two-seater car has an EPA highway rating of 61 MPG in the city and 70 MPG on the highway. Avenmarg, however, routinely outperforms the average by about 10 MPG. "My record for any trip over 25 miles is 96.7 MPG," he explains. "I coast more often, brake less, and keep to the speed limit. These simple tips will help anyone increase their car's efficiency by almost 15% - no matter what they drive."

To demonstrate his point, Avenmarg will be the lead driver in the MPG Challenge, part of the Green Car & Transportation Festival that will be held on Saturday, July 29th at the Ipswich Town Hall. Anyone who drives a hybrid or has a knack for maximizing their mileage is welcome to compete on the 24-mile route. Or, if you're like me and still shopping around for a fuel efficient vehicle, consider visiting the festival between noon and 5:00, where you can see and test drive some of the latest model hybrids available from Honda North, Ipswich Ford, and General Motors Corporation.

Heidi Paek is a freelance grant writer and an ICARE volunteer. Learn more about ICARE's MPG Challenge and Green Car & Transportation Festival at www.IpswichRenewableEnergy.org.