Choosing Hybrids (NAPSA)—Hybrid cars are emerging as a driving force in the U.S. auto market. Since 1999, more than 200,000 hybrids (vehicles that run on both gas andelectricity) have been sold in the U.S. However, some hybrids may be stopping short of delivering on promisesfor fuel efficiency and pollution. That’s the news from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a group that recently launched a Website that it says separates the hybrid truth from the hybrid hype. Hybrids Make Their Move There are currently six hybrid models on the U.S. market. It's believed there will be 11 to 13 models available by 2008. Since 1999, more than 200,000 hybrids have beensold in the U.S. It’s estimated the U.S. spends over $300,000 on imported oil every minute. @) The Web site, www.hybrid center.org, features a watchdog section that monitors the hybrid vehicle market to ensure that consumers get what they are paying for. It also features an interactive buyer’s guide that uses details about a person’s driving habits, location, and ownership history to provide customized information on hybrids that best fit your lifestyle and budget. In addition, the site’s “Under the Hood”feature provides an animated, easy-to-understand look at the technology driving hybrids, while a side-by-side comparison shows how the different hybrid models stack up against each other and conventional gasoline cars and SUVs. For more information visit www.hybridcenter.org.
