 |
Some studies suggest that the global hybrid fleet auto sales will reach a peak figure of 830,000 in 2015, which is more than twice the size of hybrid fleet auto sales in 2008.
American companies and government agencies are realizing the distinct advantages of hybrid cars for auto fleet operations. Buying hybrid cars saves millions of dollars in fuel and maintenance cost in the long run, making it easier for managers to replenish their current fleet with hybrid cars.
Companies seeking to reduce carbon emissions are also looking at hybrid cars to update their auto fleet. Companies stand to benefit from buying hybrid cars for their fleet vehicles because of various state and federal tax breaks as well as incentives associated when they purchase hybrid cars.
The switch to hybrid fleet auto sales is a step in the right direction by major companies. Hybrid adoption for fleet vehicles is a sign that more and more people are open to hybrid cars. Many companies prefer hybrid cars over conventional cars since it sends a positive message to their consumers.
The institutional shift to hybrid cars - not only because of long-term cost concerns, but also because of increased awareness to the effects of carbon emissions - will benefit consumers. As economies of scale develop in the hybrid car industry and more companies adopt hybrid engines for fleet auto sales, the cost per unit of hybrid cars will be far cheaper in the long run.
Government Policy Shift To More Hybrid Auto Fleet Sales
The Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight are two of the most popular hybrid cars today. These cars are perfect for families looking for compact vehicles with great fuel efficiency. Nissan, General Motors, and Ford Motor Co. are also expected to offer their own hybrid car models to be used for Taxi Fleet Services in major American cities like New York and Chicago.
The New York taxi industry has a total of 13,000 cabs on the street. More than 10% of this fleet are hybrid vehicles. Car manufacturers are working with the New York government to help the city reach its goal of 100% all-hybrid cab fleet by 2012. Converting to hybrid cars will save a lot of money for the New York taxi fleet. As it stands now, city regulations state that taxi cabs must have a fuel efficiency of 30 miles per gallon.
New York's transport regulations are only a part of a bigger government policy by the Obama administration to increase fuel efficiency standards and decrease carbon emissions. The new rules on standard emissions will require privately-owned cars to have at least a fuel efficiency of 35.5 miles per gallon. This means that cars and auto fleets in the future must be smaller, lighter, and more efficient. As a result, the auto industry is taking a major shift to hybrid cars for fleet auto sales. Agencies like the New York Police Department and several car rental companies in the U.S. East Coast are slowly shifting to hybrid cars.
Top Hybrid Models For Auto Fleet Sales
The top hybrid car models today are Toyota Prius, Honda Insight Hybrid, and Ford Escape Hybrid.
The Toyota Prius is the most efficient hybrid car today and the first car model to reach a fuel efficiency of 50 miles per gallon. The Prius is also the most successful hybrid car in the world and the third best-selling model in the United States. The success of Prius comes from its avid fans who were usually the early adopters to this technology. Although the Prius first started as a niche vehicle, it quickly gained mass appeal with its promise of cost savings on the car owner’s fuel budget. The Prius is a viable alternative for taxi fleets, rental car fleets, home service fleets, and other business purposes.
The main rival of the Toyota Prius is the Honda Insight. The Insight was first produced in 1999 with a wide hatchback model. The first generation of the Insight achieved modest sales in Japan. The demand for hybrid cars in the market and for auto fleet sales prompted Honda to revive the model and produce a second generation with a 5-door hatchback. The Insight can run at 40 miles per gallon to 49 miles per gallon. The Honda Insight is also considerably cheaper than the Prius, making it an ideal model for auto fleets.
The Ford Escape Hybrid is the top model among hybrid SUVs. It also made history as the first hybrid car model made by American automakers. The Ford Escape has a full hybrid system much like the Prius. The engine can switch to three engine modes; full electric power, pure gas power, or a combination of electric battery and gasoline engine. Even with its energy savings, the Ford Escape Hybrid almost has the same acceleration compared to the conventional Ford Escape V6, making it an ideal addition to auto fleets.
Trend On Fleet Auto Sales
If you are considering hybrid cars to replenish your fleet, do remember that it will take a few more years for carmakers to produce hybrid cars viable for small businesses. But if you have considerable starting capital, jumping to hybrid cars for your fleet operations is a big cost advantage in the long run.
You can find more information on the trends of fleet auto sales for hybrid cars on dedicated websites such as Clean Fleet Report http://www.cleanfleetreport.com/, The Green Motorist (http://www.thegreenmotorist.com/index.html), and All Hybrid Cars (http://www.allhybridcars.com/)
Most auto fleet sales cater to businesses looking for used cars and previously retired vehicles. Conventional trucks and utility vehicles still enjoy a significant gap in affordability over their hybrid counterparts. However, as the production for more hybrid cars accelerates in the next five years, the cost of hybrid cars will be much cheaper in the near future, making these cars viable for small businesses.
|
Saperecom Home