DESERT
FOOTHILLS – High gasoline prices have some new car buyers
taking a second look at hybrid vehicles.
“As
gas prices go up, our sales of hybrid vehicles increases–no
ifs, ands or buts,” says John Abt, sales manager of Right
Toyota, North Scottsdale. “Gas prices seem to drive sales
more than any other factor.”
The
town of Carefree has its share of hybrid vehicle owners.
Town clerk and treasurer Betsy Wise and deputy clerk Alex
Brown are ardent hybrid owners.
“I
have been very concerned about rising gas prices and what
gasoline emissions do to the environment,” Wise told The
Desert Advocate, adding she bought a 2006 Toyota Highlander
Hybrid about a year and a half ago.
This
is Brown’s second Toyota Prius Hybrid.
“The
gas mileage is unbelievable; it averages 55 to 57 miles
per gallon,” Brown said.
Wise
drives the six cylinder Toyota hybrid with the lowest
mpg rating of the brand’s three hybrids, but needs the
extra space to carry her two large dogs.
“I’ve
been surprised at how low the mileage has been. It is
not as good as advertised,” Wise said, noting she gets
on average 27 to 29 miles per gallon.
The
2007 Highlander Hybrid is advertised as getting 32 mpg
in the city and 27 on the highway. Toyota’s Camry Hybrid
claims 40 mpg city and 38 mpg highway, while the Prius
Hybrid is rated at 60 mpg in the city and 51 on the highway.
Toyota
hybrids utilize gasoline/electric synergy. The vehicles
recharge automatically and do not need to be plugged into
an outlet. They operate 100 percent on battery from an
idle up to 19 miles per hour. Above 19 mph, gasoline powers
the vehicles.
Wise
took the reporter on a test drive. Along with the speed,
the dashboard gauge shows the driver whether it is powered
by gasoline or the battery– called electric gas.
“It
drives so quietly that people and bicycles can’t hear
you backing up,” Wise said.
Toyota
also uses regenerative braking. As the vehicle slows down,
the battery is recharged by the turning wheels.
“When
the battery falls below a certain level, the onboard computer
automatically kicks in to recharge the battery; the driver
will hear a little noise,” Abt said.
Brown
related he can fill up for about $25 a tank these days
and drive about 507 miles per fill‑up.
Air
conditioning runs off the electric gas or battery.
Hybrids
boast partial zero emissions because they do not use gasoline
while operating on the battery.
Since
his gasoline bill is relatively low, Brown has more time
to concentrate on other aspects of the drive.
“The
best thing about the Prius is the speed–I can go 100 mph
without even knowing it,” Brown said. “The engine has
a lot of pickup, a lot of power.”
Wise
said she hopes her next car will be 100 percent electric.
