How many hybrids are available for 2005? Do they get better mileage, how much do they cost? Any deals/incentives on them? How much gas would we save annually if the counterpart non-hybrid vehicles were all hybrids?

Deciding to purchase a hybrid vehicle (HEV) doesn’t have to mean giving up practicality, even if you need the use of a truck.

152,600 hybrids will be produced in 2005, saving 22,576,900 gallons of gas next year. If the gasoline counterpart to these ten vehicles ( total of 2,849,566 vehicles) were all hybrids we would save 431,132,393 gallons of gas annually. According to the EIA, the last number is just a little more than what we use everyday in gas for transportation.

Besides saving gas and money, you also get a tax rebate on some of these hybrids; in some states you can drive in the carpool lane and in California you are exempt from smog checks untill 2010.

2005 Hybrids
Chevy Silverado LS extended cab 6′ bed Hybrid (2005)		Horsepower	MPG (city/hwy)	Price (MSRP)
	Automatic(2WD)	295@5,200 rpm	18/21	$29,190
	Automatic(4WD)	295@5,200 rpm	17/19	$33,155
	Original vehicle vs. hybrid
		vehicles produced	average MPG	gallons of gas saved
	2004 Silverado	674,856	15.7
	2005 Silverado hybrid	2,500	19	249,000
	If all 2004 Silverados were 2005 Silverado hybrid	674,856	3.3	60,980,963
Full-size pickup truck – certified mild hybrid SULEV 10-12 percent better gas mileage than non-hybrid version Two 120-volt, 20 amp (2,400 watt) electrical auxiliary power outlets are found under the rear bench seat and two in the pickup bed. In case of blackout, can be used for up to 32 hours on one tank of gas. 2,500 being produced, sold only in California,Oregon,Nevada,Washington,Florida and Alaska. (Lead acid battery starts in 30 degree below zero weather) General Motors is the only company giving a discount on hybrids. The discount is $1,000. The Federal Government tax rebate does not apply to this mild hybrid so General Motors will offset the extra expense with their own discount.
Dodge Ram Pickup (2005)		Horsepower	MPG (city/hwy)	Price (MSRP)
	Automatic(2WD)	325@2,900 rpm	17
	Automatic(4WD)	325@2,900 rpm	17	NA
	Original vehicle vs. hybrid
		vehicles produced	average MPG	gallons of gas saved
	2004 Ram	436,375	14
	2005 Ram hybrid	100	17	18,900
	If all 2004 Rams were 2005 Ram hybrid	436,375	3	82,474,875
Initially, targeting fleet customers, not individuals  Full-size pickup truck – certified mild hybrid First diesel hybrid pickup with MPG certified by EPA. torque;600ft.-lb@1,4000 rpm 10% better miles per gallon than non-hybrid version diesels get 15% better miles per gallon than gas – one tank of diesel will run volts much longer than one tank of gas get both 120 and 240 volt; hybrid component acts as generator on board – uses same technology as alternator, spinning creating electricity – larger produces DC electricity Not sure of tax incentive
Ford Escape Hybrid (2005)		Horsepower	MPG (city/hwy)	Price (MSRP)
	Automatic(FWD)	133@6,000 rpm	37/30	$26,300
	Automatic(AWD)	133@6,000 rpm	37/30	$26,300
	Original vehicle vs. hybrid
		vehicles produced	average MPG	gallons of gas saved
	2004 Escape	192,231	24
	2005 Escape hybrid	20,000	32	3,120,000
	If all 2004 Escapes were 2005 Escape hybrids	192,231	8	29,988,036
Mid-size Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) – certified full hybrid ATPZEV The hybrid will come in front-wheel and all-wheel drive. Prices are $3,300 above comparably equipped standard Escapes. Switching to “max” air conditioning keeps a/c on, even at stop signs, though the mpg will decrease. The Escape is the number one selling SUV in it’s segment. Ford will build 20,000 of the hybrid version in the 2005 model year. Federal Government will give tax rebate to offset extra expense. This incentive ends in 2006.
GMC Sierra SLE extended cab 6′ bed Hybrid (2005)		MPG (city/hwy)	Price (MSRP)
	Automatic(2WD)	295@2,500 rpm	18/21	$30,835
	Automatic(4WD)	295@2,500 rpm	17/19	$34,200
	Original vehicle vs. hybrid
		vehicles produced	average MPG	gallons of gas saved
	2004 Sierra	206,021	17
	2005 Sierra hybrid	2,500	19	232,500
	If all 2004 Sierras were 2005 Sierra hybrids	206,021	2	19,159,953
Full-size pickup truck – certified mild hybrid SULEV 10-12 percent better gas mileage than non-hybrid version Two 120-volt, 20 amp (2,400 watt) electrical auxiliary power outlets are found under the rear bench seat and two in the pickup bed. In case of blackout, can be used for up to 32 hours on one tank of gas. Sold only in California,Oregon,Nevada,Washington,Florida and Alaska. (Lead acid battery starts in 30 degree below zero weather) General Motors is the only company giving a discount on hybrids. The discount is $1,000. The Federal Government tax rebate does not apply to this mild hybrid so General Motors will offset the extra expense with their own discount.
Honda Accord Hybrid (2005)		Horsepower	MPG (city/hwy)	Price (MSRP)
	Automatic	255@6,000rpm	29/37	$30,000
		Original vehicle vs. hybrid
		vehicles produced	average MPG	gallons of gas saved
	2004 Accords	390,000	29.5
	2005 Accord hybrid	20,000	33	1,060,000
	If all 2004 Accords were 2005 Accord hybrids	390,000	3.5	20,670,000
5 passenger sedan – not yet certified Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. IMA includes a conventional gasoline engine combined with an electric motor that recharges during routine driving, supplying power when needed, similar to a supercharger. Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. VCM selectively deactivates cylinders to improve fuel economy. Hybrid Accord will cost about $2,500 more than original Accord. Federal Government will give tax rebate to offset extra expense. This incentive ends in 2006.
Honda Civic Hybrid (2005)		Horsepower	MPG (city/hwy)	Price (MSRP)
	Automatic	93@5,700rpm	48/47	$20,800
	5-speed	93@5,700	46/51	$19,800
	Original vehicle vs. hybrid
		vehicles produced	average MPG	gallons of gas saved
	2004 Civics	291,600	34.5
	2005 Civic hybrid	22,000	46.5	2,464,000
	If all 2004 Civics were 2005 Civic hybrids	291,600	12	32,659,200
5 passenger sedan – certified full hybrid ATPZEV First hybrid version of an established car model 40% better gas mileage than conventional Civic Sedan Federal Government will give $1,500 to offset extra expense. This incentive ends in 2006.
Honda Insight Hybrid (2005)		Horsepower	MPG (city/hwy)	Price (MSRP)
	Automatic	81@5,700rpm	57/56	$21,300
	5-speed	81@5,700	60/66	$20,300
	Original vehicle vs. hybrid
		vehicles produced	average MPG	gallons of gas saved
	2004 Insights	720	60
	2005 Insight hybrid	1,000	60	250,000
Two Seater – certified hybrid ULEV, 5-speed;SULEV2 – CVT Automatic. First hybrid sold in the U.S. (introduced 2000 model year) Best gas mileage (manual transmission) of the three hybrids Federal Government will give $1,500 to offset extra expense. This incentive ends in 2006.
Lexus RX400 SUV Hybrid (2005)		Horsepower	MPG (city/hwy)	Price (MSRP)
	Automatic	270	27.6	$54,000ish
		Original vehicle vs. hybrid
		vehicles produced	average MPG	gallons of gas saved
	2004 RX330	102,265	22
	2005 RX400h hybrid	25,000	27.6	3,475,000
	If all 2004 RX330s were 2005 RX400h hybrids	102,265	5.6	14,214,835
5-door Sport Utility Vehicle unibody AWD Same engine as the RX330 – a 3.3 V-6; also used in Toyota Highlander 0-60 in 8 seconds The world’s first luxury hybrid SUV Federal Government will give tax rebate to offset extra expense. This incentive ends in 2006.
Toyota Highlander (2005)		Horsepower	MPG (city/hwy)	Price (MSRP)
	Automatic	270	27.6	NA
	Original vehicle vs. hybrid
		vehicles produced	average MPG	gallons of gas saved
	2004 Highlander	120,174	23
	2005 Highlander hybrid	22,000	27.5	2,354,000
	If all 2004 Highlanders were 2005 Highlander hybrids	120,174	4.5	12,858,618
Full size Sport Utility Vehicle – certified full hybrid SULEV Includes three rows of seats, enough to seat 8 0-60 in less than 8 seconds Federal Government will give tax rebates to offset extra expense. This incentive ends in 2006.
Toyota Prius (2005)		Horsepower	MPG (city/hwy)	Price (MSRP)
	Automatic	76@4,700 rpm	60/51	$20,875
	Original vehicle vs. hybrid
		vehicles produced	average MPG	gallons of gas saved
	2004 Camry (most similar)	436,044	26.4
	2005 Prius hybrid	37,500	55.5	9,187,500
	If all 2004 Camrys were 2005 Prius hybrids	436,044	29.1	106,830,780
5 passenger sedan (Midsize passenger car) – certified full hybrid ATPZEV First mass-produced hybrid in the world. Toyota will increase production to 15,000 unit’s a month. 0-60 in 10.1 seconds Federal Government will give tax rebates to offset extra expense. This incentive ends in 2006.
******************************************************  * mild hybrids are not considered quite as efficient as full hybrid systems, as the gasoline engine needs to be running unless the car is coasting. Full-hybrid systems can drive on electric power alone, until the sensor calls on the internal combustion engine or the batteries need recharging at which time the gasoline engine restarts. **Partial Zero Emmissions Vehicle (PZEV)- Because of technology on the car, the air that comes out of the car is cleaner than the air going in. ATPZEV is advanced technology, which is a hybrid. Only hybrids can be ZTPZEV, but some vehicles, such as the Ford Focus, can be PZEV. ULEV is not as stringent a requirement as PZEV and emit’s more gases. The current incentive is scheduled to phase out in 2004-06. Vehicles purchased in 2004 will be eligible for a deduction of up to $1,500; vehicles purchased in 2005 will be eligible for up to $1,000; vehicles purchased in 2006 will be eligible for up to $500. Important: Congress is currently considering legislation that may alter the tax incentives for hybrid vehicles. We will provide additional information if the incentives change.  Whether you itemize or take the standard deduction, you can still claim the clean-fuel tax deduction. Unless the vehicle is purchased solely for business use, you simply include the deduction on line 32 of your 1040 tax form in the “Adjusted Gross Income” section. Enter the amount of the deduction and the words “Clean Fuel” on the dotted line next to line 32.