With the rising gas prices, many people are looking for ways to alleviate the financial strain that dependence on fossil fuels weighs upon their wallets. Automotive industries, in response to the publics’ growing concern for nature and the effects of pollution, are competing to give people what they want.
Although some of their ideas stand out, others are more economically sound.
The mainstream eco-friendly vehicles being sold right now are hybrids. A hybrid alternates between being powered by fuel and electricity. If the vehicle is at a dead stop, it will consume fuel and then when it gets up to a certain speed, it switches over to electrical power. This means that commuting consumers can save money on gas.
Kelley Allen, mechanic for Bakersfield Mazda, said that hybrids are a little more dangerous to work on than other vehicles. There is a risk of “possible electrocution,” said Allen.
Driving style is what’s important when thinking of buying a hybrid according to Allen. If people are “just driving around town like soccer moms, they are perfect. But if you are a highway driver, then it’s a waste of money.”
Bill Wright Toyota offers three different types of hybrids. Two of them are optional as a hybrid but the third one is the Toyota Prius, which is only available as a hybrid.
BMW does not yet have a hybrid, but they also are going green. They have introduced the BMW 750 Hydrogen, which is currently being test driven in California by a select few celebrities and political officials. The Hydrogen has two tanks: One is for gas, and the other is for hydrogen and emits zero emissions while running on hydrogen. The Hydrogen is not yet available at BMW dealerships.
“They gave it to certain people to drive,” said BMW of Bakersfield sales manager Ali Douglas. “Jay Leno has one.”
Mercedes recently introduced a version of a “smart car,” which is available for purchase but not in Bakersfield.
According to Jim Wheldon, training manager at Mercedes-Benz of Bakersfield, “smart cars” are only available at Penske Mercedes dealerships, which the Mercedes dealership in Bakersfield is not.
While many of the companies in the automotive industry are trying to become more clean- air conscientious, Hummer is not. According to one of their salesmen, Hummer currently has no hybrid or similar eco-friendly variant in the works.