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Hybrid Cars Selling Quickly In Metro

Engines Combine Gas With Electricity To Increase Efficiency

POSTED: 7:39 pm CDT May 5, 2004

Cars that promise up to 700 miles on a full tank of gas are causing some Oklahoma City car dealers to scramble to keep them in stock.

As Eyewitness News 5's John Flick reported, the headache of high gas prices is one reason why more and more people are turning to a different type of car -- the hybrid.

Oklahoma City car dealers told Eyewitness News 5 Wednesday that Honda's version has seen a recent surge in sales throughout the metro area.

One dealer said he has people on waiting lists. He also said that high demand is causing the cars to be sold at record prices.

The key to gas-saving, hybrid cars are electric and gas motors that work together.

When drivers keep a constant speed, slow down or idle, the electric motor takes over thanks to a special battery that powers the vehicle. The battery charges itself while the car is running.

According to the dealers who spoke with Eyewitness News 5, it’s often hard to tell that hybrid engines are running because they are so quiet. The cars are also better for the environment because they do not rely exclusively on gasoline.

One five-speed model that Eyewitness News 5's John Flick examined gets 51 miles per gallon in the city. The automatic version gets about 48 miles per gallon.

The fuel efficiency ratings for the car translate into nearly 700 miles on a full tank -- a number that can keep drivers from making numerous visits to high-priced pumps.

Hybrid cars are currently more expensive than regular vehicles. However, the federal government is giving a $2,000 tax deduction on the cars under the Clean Air Act.

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