NBC 6 Miami
July 19, 2007
Going Green Hits The Road With Hybrids
By NBC 6's Patricia Andreu
"It's not just the savings," admits UM President Donna Shalala. "For me, it's doing something that helps the environment. I'm proud that I can make a small contribution in my own lifestyle."
What's Shalala talking about? Driving her hybrid.
Miami Mayor Manny Diaz drives one too and promotes hybrids with pride.
Hybrids, says Diaz, "protect the environment for the future, for our children and our grandchildren. This is one way to do it, right now, right here."
Diaz touts the many pluses of driving his Ford Escape SUV.
"It's saving the city and the taxpayers a lot of money because I've cut my gas consumption at least in half, if not more. And, it's great for the environment. The CO2 emissions on a car like this are significantly less than the one that's just fossil fuel."
There are a dozen hybrid models on the road right now, and about a dozen more are being designed. So far, more than 1 million hybrids have been sold planet-wide. The best seller by far has been the Toyota Prius.
"In gas alone I'm probably saving $2,000 a year. I sat down and figured it out one time. That's not bad, is it?" said Prius driver Karen Beal.
Beal just loves driving her Prius around the Keys. It's unleashed her competitive spirit.
"I got 62 miles per gallon. I called two of my friends who own a hybrid and told them. That's my personal best," she boasted.
Fluctuating gas prices help automakers like Toyota make the plug for fuel efficiency, especially since hybrids tend to cost thousands of dollars more.
"Studies have shown that customers, after owning a hybrid, will probably recoup that money within two years," said Southeast Toyota’s Darlene Morgan.
But, Consumer Reports found that depending on the hybrid model, recouping the extra cost could take several more years.
Toyota has the Prius, Camry and Highlander hybrids.
"You're getting 33 in the city, 27 on the highway," said Morgan of the Highlander hybrid SUV. "That's excellent. SUVs don't get that kind of gas mileage."
At Lexus, the focus is luxury. Their new lS 600 will be the first hybrid to top $100,000. At JM Lexus, they already have "sold orders" for 40 of the high-end hybrids.
"It's a performance-based technology. To give super performance and burn very, very clean air," explained VP and General Manager Jim Dunn.
While the dealership's sales of SUV and sedan hybrids account for just 5 percent of overall sales, Dunn is bullish on the future.
"I believe, eventually, every Lexus that we sell is going to have hybrid technology in it," he said. "People are going to want more fuel-efficient vehicles as well so we're not so dependent on foreign oil."
Ask almost any hybrid owner, they’ll try to convince you to go hybrid too.
"All of us are going to be driving hybrids in the future," exclaimed Shalala. "Especially Canes!"
The EPA has changed the way it calculates fuel economy. To find out the gallons per mile for any hybrid, click on the link below. Also check out the story from Consumer Reports.
