Ulster Gazette - Features - Why it is Time to Embrace Hybrid Motoring

Features

Why it is Time to Embrace Hybrid Motoring

Thursday, 6 January 2011

Seasoned motorists can be forgiven for feeling under attack as the cost of driving appears to increase year after year and, as this mode of transportation is often blamed for increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the environment, there are plenty of other concerns.

As motorists understandably feel under the cosh from all sides, though, there is a simple, greener alternative to the traditional combustion engine. The Japanese car manufacturer Honda is set to augment its line of petrol-electric cars with the new Jazz Hybrid, which will drastically reduce carbon emissions and the cost of driving.

Having featured at the Paris Motor Show recently, the Honda Jazz Hybrid is set to be released in Britain early next year. The company's hybrid vehicles have become markedly more noticeable on UK roads in the past few years. The CR-Z is a sporty coupe, featuring a six-speed manual gear box while the Insight is principally viewed as an economical family car. The Civic Hybrid is also a spacious car suitable for family use but is additionally renowned for its sharp handling and responsive acceleration. While in line with its stylish forefathers, the Jazz is set to beat this trio on emissions. The new supermini is projected to do 64.2 miles per gallon.

Can these hybrid cars make a concrete difference to the levels of pollution in the environment, though? If you were to judge this question by the amount of time and effort the car industry has devoted to hybrids the answer would be affirmative. Car emissions account for 13 per cent of Britain's carbon footprint, an alarming figure which has stirred environmental campaigners and companies into action.

Honda's previous models have illustrated the reductions in pollution which can be made by making use of this innovative technology. The CR-Z Hybrid emits between 25 and 35 per cent less carbon dioxide than a similarly-sized petrol model. This fact alone supports the argument that if enough of us make the switch to hybrid cars, carbon emissions will decline markedly.

The nation's capital has recognised the problem posed by vehicle pollution and that hybrid motoring is part of a wider solution. London's Mayor Boris Johnson recently commissioned a study which revealed that over 4,000 deaths in the capital each year are attributable to sustained exposure to pollution. Consequently, the Mayoral Office has exempted hybrid car owners from paying the daily congestion charge in central London.

Their report was substantiated by findings published by Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee. This paper linked 50,000 deaths a year in Britain to pollution. Companies including Honda have sought to address this growing trend but in a way which is conducive to the convenience of the individual who often relies on this mode of transportation.

The Energy Saving Trust, which liaises with the UK government on policy making, lent its authority to claims that Britain's carbon emissions could be significantly reduced by switching to hybrid cars. The organisation has argued that emissions could be cut by up to one quarter if we all considered our vehicle choices more carefully.

While the environmental benefits of hybrid motoring are potentially huge, the personal benefits are noteworthy too. By opting to drive a hybrid vehicle, motorists can make striking savings on petrol consumption and road tax.

Therefore, by purchasing a hybrid car you can couple altruism and self interest. As previously alluded to, by driving a car which features an efficient petrol engine and an electric motor your road tax payments will decrease steeply. Incentives such as these have prompted motoring journalists to forecast a mushrooming market in second hand hybrids. As such, your new hybrid vehicle will not depreciate in value the moment it has departed from the surroundings of the car showroom.

The environmental and practical reasons for hybrid cars may seem overwhelming but can their appeal extend beyond petrol headed enthusiasts? Some journalists and famous broadcasters have suggested that these cars will inevitably disappoint when it comes to overall driving experience. Honda, however, has conveyed that handling, acceleration and comfort are far from neglected in its hybrid cars. The technology behind these vehicles has progressed with the speed of an exhilarating sports car.

But how does the new Jazz Hybrid differ from the previous entrants in the market? It features a combination motor employed in previous hybrid models but its carbon footprint is smaller than that of the Insight. This attractive, compact model has blue-tinted headlights and a funky grille and front bumper.

Despite being a sleeker hybrid, the new Jazz should not deter families who are regularly posited as the target group most likely to consider this form of motoring. There is sufficient room for seating in the back and when there is a need for boot space, those seats can be folded down.

The Jazz is available with leather upholstery, allowing families to travel in comfort on those long, map inducing holiday trips. That level of comfort is additionally important when marooned in traffic jams. Moreover in these frustrating conditions this hybrid model manages to save money and the atmosphere. In medium and low speed conditions this model will be able to run solely on its electric motor.

The ramifications of the British government's comprehensive spending review are still being dissected and analysed. Various experts have predicted that the cost of public transport will soar as investment is reduced. The ceiling on regulated train fares will be lifted meaning the cost of some journeys will rise by up to 30 per cent. Public transportation certainly aids the environment but there will be few incentives to for commuters abandon their cars in the immediate future.

Whether you are a commuter, a cross-country driver or a parent on the busy school run, the consensus is that the Jazz has something to offer everyone. The model is set to be in great demand when it is released here in January. The Jazz's unrivalled fuel economy, accessible size and sleek design will entice many to join the hybrid revolution.