Hybrid Vehicles

Facts about Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid vehicles employs a parallel hybrid system in which a petrol engine provides the main power to the vehicle with an electric motor assisting when needed. The efficiency of the technology leads to lower emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide than from ordinary petrol or diesel vehicles. Examples of such hybrid vehicles are the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight or Honda IMA

• All hybrids use regenerative braking, which means that energy is put back into the battery when braking - this improves energy efficiency and reduces brake wear.
• Hybrids can have the same performance as that of a normal petrol vehicle although acceleration and top speed may be slightly lower. Since hybrid vehicles are manufacturer supplied products rather than aftermarket conversions, they benefit from full manufacturer support and normal warranty.
• Maintenance on hybrids should be equivalent to a petrol or diesel vehicle, although the dealer will require specialist diagnostic equipment to check the battery and motor. With regular maintenance the battery should last the life of the car. Batteries normally have a five to eight year warranty. The Toyota and Honda hybrid vehicles use a nickel metal hydride (Ni MH) battery, so they are not affected by the proposed EU ban on the use of cadmium in vehicle batteries.
  
  

Why Should I buy a Hybrid Vehicle?

In order to encourage take up of Hybrid vehicles Westminster City Council has introduced a range of incentives. Hybrid vehicles receive:

• Discounted resident parking in Westminster. Westminster's residents get a reduction on the cost of their annual and quarterly parking permit if they own a hybrid vehicle.
• Hybrid vehicles that are classified as Band 4 on the PowerShift register are entitled to apply for the 'hybrid' Westminster Ecomark, a vehicle badge that is awarded to vehicles that are fuelled by gas or electricity. It identifies the vehicle as one that contributes to the reduction of air pollution in London and the owner can receive updates on what's happening in the field of electric and gas vehicles as well as occasional freebies and invitations to events.

Other benefits include…

• No congestion charge (subject to registration fee and conditions). Contact Congestion Charge line on 0845 900 1234
• Reduced Vehicle Excise Duty. Contact Vehicle Certification Agency on 0870 240 0010
• Cheaper to run than conventional petrol or diesel vehicles; £10 will take you 165 miles in a petrol hybrid car
• Quieter than diesel or petrol vehicles
• Enhanced capital allowance rate of 100% in the first year
• Lower Personal Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax liability
  
  

Find Out More… www.hybridsynergydrive.com

www.honda.com/civic