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Hybrid
car owners
and proud of it |
Owners swear by the fuel economy and clean-
running vehicles increasing in availability |
By Amy Grennell, Newberg
Graphic reporter
E-mail Amy at agrennell@eaglenewspapers.com
|
 A statewide survey of Oregon hybrid car owners shows that environmental
values influenced them when buying their car, but the quality of the car and its handling
on the road has turned them into big fans of these rare vehicles.
Currently, Oregonians have three hybrid options: the Toyota Prius, Honda
Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight. In 2004, Ford will release the first SUV hybrid, the
Escape, based on its popular SUV platform. Also in 2004, two pickup hybrids will be
introduced — the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra.
This love of hybrid vehicles is echoed by local drivers, as well as those who
praise the value and drivability of their high-tech vehicles.
Robert Goodwin of Newberg has a 2001 Prius that he purchased for its high
operational economy and for Toyota’s reputation for quality.
“(It has) adequate power for highway driving, very high mileage, roomy,
easy to park,” he said. “I like it very (much) and it has performed consistently
with manufacturer’s claims.”
Alan Meyer of Newberg also has a 2001 Prius, purchasing it because “it
makes sense.”
“It uses less fuel, and it pollutes less,” he said. “Our
special license plate is SULEV: Super Ultra Low Emission. It is among the lowest polluting
cars on the road and it’s the best car we’ve ever owned.
“Saving money is probably one of the weakest arguments for buying a
hybrid. The base price was about $20,000. Subtract a federal tax deduction and a state tax
deduction and, as I recall, the price comes down to about $17,000. It’s true that
there are other (non-hybrid) cars on the market at that price, but one must remember
we’re not polluting and we’re saving gasoline and money and polluting less every
mile we drive.”
Meyer said he plans on buying another hybrid, possibly giving his wife the
current model and purchasing Toyota’s new Camry hybrid model in the future.
All of the models combine a system of conventional gas engines and electric
motors. The Meyers’ Toyota, for instance, is powered by the electric motor from a
standing start up until the car reaches 10 mph, then the gas motor kicks in. While the gas
motor is running it is also charging a large bank of conventional car batteries wired in a
series behind the rear seat.
One of the benefits, Alan Meyer pointed out, is if the driver is caught in
slow-moving traffic, the Toyota is advancing the car on electric power, not the gas
engine, which is more environmentally friendly and saves fuel.
Great gas mileage is a plus on hybrids that no one can ignore. Meyer said he
averages about 50 miles per gallon.
Maggie Barr of Newberg drives a Honda Insight Hybrid 2000 and gets between 55
and 60 miles per gallon in Newberg driving, she said. She decided to purchase her car
because of its environmental benefits, its efficiency and gas mileage.
“I have traveled to many developing countries (India, Nepal, Kenya,
Turkey) and around Europe only to continually become ill because of the heavy pollution in
the air there ... (because of) leaded fuels, diesel smoke, etc,” she said.
“I’d like to help this poor earth air any way I can.”
Barr is another hybrid car owner who loves her vehicle, which she says is
small but she feels safe in.
“It has power, benefits (free oil changes for the rest of her life from
the dealer she bought it at), tax incentives from federal and state, great gas mileage ...
it’s perfect for me.”
Despite filling the car’s tank only once a month, Barr drives to
Portland every weekend, to the airport frequently and to the coast.
“I even went to Paris for 10 days with the $3,700 total we got back from
the tax incentives,” she said.
More than 1,300 hybrids are roaming Oregon’s roads, according to the
Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Oregon Office of Energy and the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC)
recently conducted a survey of hybrid car owners in Oregon; both agencies are actively
promoting hybrids. They also helped to pass legislation this session to eliminate the
so-called “hybrid penalty,” where owners of hybrid vehicles were charged twice
as much to register their cars as owners of conventional, gas-powered, passenger cars. |
|
From Sept. 27,
2003, Newberg Graphic
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