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Hybrids

Demographics of the Typical Hybrid Consumer- What Makes Them Tick

by admin on January 12, 2006 · 0 comments

in Hybrids

More and more people in the market for a new car today are considering the advantages of purchasing a hybrid. The number one reason hybrids are gaining in popularity is due to their smaller, fuel-efficient engines. As prices at the gas pumps continue to soar, many people see the many benefits to driving an “alternative-fuel” vehicle (also known as alt-fuel). According to a recent survey, approximately 88,000 hybrid vehicles were sold in the United States in 2004. This number is projected to more than double to amounts close to 220,000 by the end of 2005. However this is only a small fraction of the amount of new vehicles (more than 15 million) that are sold in the United States on an annual basis. Many people believe that these cars that run on half gas and half electric power are not front and center in the public eye, as they should be.

Who is the typical hybrid consumer and what makes them tick? Let’s take a closer look.

Many environmentalists are of the viewpoint that a car that requires less gasoline to run it is a good investment indeed. This idea is catching on with consumers as well. The combination of the two powers, electric and gasoline, give hybrid vehicles the same and/or a greater range of fuel efficiency than do traditionally run gas engines.

What do hybrid consumers demand of their fuel-efficient vehicles?

Not only do they have smaller and more fuel-efficient engines but also hybrids are equipped with other things that allow for the best mileage possible. Smart consumers look for the traits listed below in their hybrid vehicles.

Energy in a hybrid vehicle is allowed storage in the battery. This is how the process works- the faster speed your car is traveling at, the greater level of kinetic energy it contains. When you step on the brake, energy is displaced. Hybrid vehicles are equipped with the unique ability to store up energy in the battery to use at a later period of time. This is defined as “regenerative braking.” In other words, the electric motor in the vehicle works in combination with the brakes to slow and eventually stop the car. The electric motor plays the role of a generator and aids in charging the car’s battery as it is in the act of slowing down.

Hybrid cars are constructed with an alternate power source, by way of batteries in the vehicle and the electric motor. When stopped at an intersection the hybrid vehicle has the option of turning off the gas engine to conserve energy.

Drag is reduced by the use of advanced aerodynamics with regard to hybrid cars. Aerodynamic drag is the force that is used to move your car through the air and /or down the highway. This drag force is not a good thing and can be reduced in a number of ways in hybrid cars. One way it is done is by constructing smaller front ends of vehicles. To give an example, SUV’s have much larger front ends and need a much larger area to push through the surrounding air than do smaller, more compact sports cars. Drag can also be reduced by placing covers over wheel housings. This has a tremendous effect on airflow.

Consumers who purchase hybrids are concerned about the environment. Pollutants in the air are one of their primary pet peeves. Hybrid cars are helpful in reducing both air pollution and global-warming pollution. It has been proven that the excellent design of the hybrid makes it possible for smog pollution to be reduced by ninety percent or more, in comparison to the cleanest non-hybrid car on the market today. To give an example of this, the Toyota Prius when compared to the national average, achieves a success rate of ninety percent in smog reduction. Not only helpful in reducing air pollution, but hybrid vehicles are beneficial in cutting down on global-warming pollutants in the air due to the reduced amount of fuel that is required to keep them on the roads. The first hybrid cars manufactured were successful in reducing harmful global-warming pollutants in the air by approximately a third to a half. The forecast for the future is that more advanced hybrid models will be able to cut emissions even more.

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High on Hybrids Forecasting Sales Trends on Hybrids

by admin on December 14, 2005 · 0 comments

in Hybrids

When analyzing sales trends on hybrids, there is no doubt opinions are mixed. Some of the most educated analysts are disagreeing about the forecast on hybrids. There is a deadlock between the experts, with each side unwilling to budge. We can wait for the results or make up our own minds. But in the meantime however, knowing how each side feels about the forecast can help the public form their own opinion on the matter.

Some researchers feel that the main variable in the trend of car sales is the rising prices of gasoline. While most consumers are complaining about their gas guzzling cars and sport utility vehicles, it is questionable whether car sales will be affected by the high prices. There is a group of experts that believe that even though gas prices are higher than ever, they are still not high enough to influence car sales substantially. They argue that consumers love their large vehicles so much that although they are complaining, they will still continue to drive them and purchase more like them. They estimate gas prices would have to increase to prices above $4 for there to be a substantial effect on the sales of hybrids.

Other experts however reveal that their studies show that at least one in six buyers have changed their minds about planned vehicle purchases due to rising gasoline prices. These studies suggest that the sales of vehicles that require less gasoline will raise at least enough to mimic this study’s findings. The experts on this side of the argument think consumers are most likely motivated to purchase hybrids by gasoline prices and are acting logically.

Manufacturers are likely to agree with those thinking hybrid sales will increase this year. The main determining factor for manufacturers is the fact that there are waiting lists already for new hybrid vehicles. The Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic hybrids are among some of the most popular and have extensive waiting lists. With the addition of several sports utility models to the list of hybrids available, there is no doubt in the minds of the manufacturers that hybrid sales are destined to rise. Some manufacturers have even been so bold to predict sales doubling.

The fact is that at this time however, trucks are still selling much better than cars. Hybrid models of sports utility vehicles and truck models will have to completely blow everything else out of the water to even catch up with regular truck sales. So far there has been no evidence this will happen.

Researchers do agree however that each year there will be increases in the sales of hybrids. The argument is not over whether or not there will be increases really, but about how much of an increase will be present. Some researchers feel with incentives being offered to consumers that buy hybrids, there is more expectation of an increase in sales. With more states offering free parking and tax incentives for hybrid owners, the appeal for hybrid purchases are greater than ever.

Another factor swaying sales is the passage of clean-air laws in many states. These laws will turn consumers to truck alternatives, whether they like it or not. Last year hybrids only accounted for 0.5 percent of the market, however most experts are forecasting that by 2012 they will account for at least 3.5 percent of the market.

Most of this change is expected to come from the West Coast of the United States. The West Coast tends to be more aware and involved in environment issues than other areas, as a whole. Therefore, it is likely that most of the increases will come from consumers in this area. The increase is likely due to the effort by government to focus on the benefits of hybrid vehicles.

With more hybrid alternatives being offered to today’s consumer, it is only logical to think hybrid sales will increase moderately. Not taking gas prices into consideration, it is likely the increase in environmental education is having an impact on many consumers. If a consumer can feel great about a vehicle that saves them money and is sensitive to the environment, they are more likely to buy it. If the government is also offering tax and parking incentives, they will definitely buy it.

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