As oil prices rise around the nation, Ford, General Motors and other national automobile companies are exploring ways to combat rising prices by increasing their production of a new type of car: the hybrid. The increased proliferation of hybrid vehicles into the market is now seen as one of the most promising means of reducing the nation's dependency on the pump.
According to The Washington Post, Ford has set its goals to "boost production tenfold to 250,000 cars and trucks per year by 2010." By offering more hybrid vehicles, these companies will be able to offer consumers more cost-efficient modes of transportation while simultaneously appeasing environmental agencies that have been pushing for these models as better alternatives to gasoline engines.
According to some students, such as first-year College student Brent Maddox, the cost of gas prices for high-powered vehicles caused him to consider the purchase of a hybrid.
"I had an SUV, but the increase in gas prices caused me to look into purchasing a hybrid vehicle," Maddox said. "Right now, I'm looking at the Honda Accord hybrid because I really don't need the space of an SUV."
The rising cost of gas has also given third-year College student Ben Bolton a reason to consider making the switch in the future.
"Right now, I drive a BMW, which gets bad gas mileage and uses premium gas," Bolton said. "If my parents were to get me another car, I would want a hybrid because I could get twice as much mileage."
One potential downfall of hybrid vehicles is the cost: hybrids are set to cost about $2,000 to 4,000 more than regular automobiles, the Post reported. Second-year Nursing student Sarah Boschung, however, said the benefits of having a hybrid vehicle outweigh the costs of purchasing one.
"I think that getting a hybrid is a good idea," Boschung said. "My dad is thinking about getting a new car, and he wants one. Although the price of a hybrid may be more expensive now, in the long run, I think it would even out, considering the amount you'd save on gas."
Public approval and the general popularity of hybrids are some of the issues third-year College student Andrew Page said he believes might affect the sale of these vehicles.
"I believe that hybrid vehicles are a worthwhile investment, but the general public might be unwilling to make the transition to them," Page said. "Most people have a preconceived notion that they are less powerful and less traditional cars. With the rising gas prices, maybe a couple thousand people will get a hybrid, but the majority of them are going to keep going with their tanks."
Fourth-year College student Joe Morahan said the fluctuation in gas prices will determine his decision to purchase a hybrid or not.
"If oil prices don't drop and the cost of hybrids do, then maybe I would consider purchasing one," Morahan said. "However, I'm moving to D.C. soon, and I'm going to need a big car."
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