Hybrid vehicles: Not just good for the environment

October 23rd, 2009

(NC)—Hybrid vehicles are becoming commonplace on local roads as drivers start taking the importance of environmental preservation to heart. And to get more people behind the wheel, carmakers have expanded the number of hybrid models available to suit most budgets and lifestyles.

But carmakers aren’t the only ones clueing in. For their part, insurance providers and even the government have helped spur on the hybrid movement by offering incentives to Canadians making the switch from gas-guzzlers to eco-friendly wheels.

Here are some additional benefits of driving a hybrid vehicle that you may not be aware of:

Cheaper insurance premiums: Some providers, like Aviva Canada, offer a five per cent discount to hybrid drivers.

Spend less on gas: Hybrid vehicles have both an electric and gas motor that work together to reduce fuel consumption. Filling-up less often reduces the impact of volatile gas prices on your wallet.

Government incentives: Some provinces offer tax rebates for residents that purchase a hybrid. It could pay to do your research!

And of course there’s the reduced environmental impact; according to Canada’s Ministry of Natural Resources, hybrid vehicles decrease upstream emissions by about 30 per cent compared with conventional gasoline vehicles.

“Offering hybrid drivers discounts is a way of appealing to the socially responsible motorist,” said Mauro Convertini, insurance expert from Aviva Canada.

With the potential for government incentives and insurance savings, driving a hybrid vehicle will help reduce your emissions and your monthly expenses – which is good for the environment and your wallet. For more information, contact your insurance broker, visit www.changeinsurance.ca or call 1-866-My Aviva (692-8482).

Top 10 most popular hybrids in 2008

March 21st, 2009

So what were the most popular hybrids  in 2008? The list varies to include vehicles that you traditionally think of when talking about hybrids (the Prius and Civic Hybrid) to SUVs and sedans:

  1. Toyota Prius
  2. Honda Civic Hybrid
  3. Toyota Camry Hybrid
  4. Ford Escape Hybrid
  5. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  6. Lexus RX400h
  7. Honda Accord Hybrid
  8. Nissan Altima 2.5 S Hybrid
  9. Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
  10. Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid

Hybrid Car Tax Rebates

March 24th, 2008

All rebates are not created equal.  Ontario and Quebec recently passed new legistation offering $2000 and $1000 tax rebates respectively.   These rebates are calculated only on the provincial sales taxes paid, not the price of the car.  Let’s say you are buying a $30,000 car with a $20,000 trade-in, the buyer would pay only $800 worth of provincial sales taxes due on the $10,000 cash portion of the purchase.  This means that $800 would be the maximum rebate that buyer could expect to collect on this purchase.

Keep this in mind when you are budgeting for the purchase of your hybrid car.