You hear lots of buzz about new environmentally friendly cars
entering the market - some are hybrids, some run on ethanol, and
some are electric. Sorting through the maze of options can be
dizzying, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
Department of Energy (DOE) are helping by bringing the
essentials to light on new fuel economy labels that highlight
basic facts and figures and clarify important details.
Regardless, to narrow in on a particular type of green car you
need to think about your unique needs, usage, and tolerance to
change. In addition to the upfront cost, take a look at the
annual fuel cost (on the fuel economy label). A car that saves
$2,000 in gas per year will save you $10k in just 5 years.
Below, an explanation of each technology, and whether it could
be right for you. Hybrid: We hear the most about hybrids as
they've been around for some time, and come in all kinds of
flavors (sedans, SUVs, and stereotypical hybrids like the Toyota
Prius and Honda Insight, and sport hybrids like