Green Savings

Tue., Jan. 28, 2014

Sharon L. Peters CTW Features

Q: How much of a savings do these hybrids and new cars that come with stop/start technology for when you stop at a stop light accrue? I’m wondering if it makes sense for me, since I drive 66 miles round trip for work every day. A: It totally depends on how much stopping and starting you do on an average trip, naturally. If you have a straight interstate shot when you drive to work every day with only one or two stops, the savings would be little. But if you drive a city route with quite a number of stops along the way, it could be around 5 percent, experts say. Q: Our dealer told us Porsche will have a smaller SUV soon. How much will it cost? A: Porsche’s new SUV entry, the Macan, about a half-foot shorter than the Cayenne, will start at about $50,000. The Turbo version will start at about $70,000 Q: I’m coming late to this whole green car business, I admit. But my son is returning from overseas soon, wants me to shop with him for a new car, is determined to go green and I need quick education. Where do I start? A: Start with fueleconomy.gov. There are specific sections devoted to hybrids, plug-in hybrids, all-electric vehicles, flex fuel, diesel and fuel cell, and most contain a “how they work” explanation that’s easy to follow and absorb. That site also offers lots of consumer-friendly features and information, including side-by cost comparisons of various vehicles of your choosing, info about EPA ratings and what they really mean, fuel cost calculator, tax incentives by category and model and all manner of similar information. The site also keeps track of models that will be hitting the market soon. Once you’ve got the basics down from that site, you might want to consider going to greencarreports.com. It offers new car reviews, buying guides and lists of top cars, and it also presents the latest breaking news about various categories of vehicles, from electric to fuel cell. It also offers scores of stories about green-car developments, getting the best mileage, and recalls as well as up-to-the-minute reports on ecofriendly vehicles elsewhere on the planet. CORRECTION: I left an extremely important hyphen out of the website address that was included in the CarFit item that ran in last week’s column. My sincere apologies. I know it’s frustrating when you get enthusiastic about checking something out, only to discover you can’t. So, one more time (correctly this time): You can learn where CarFit events are scheduled at car-fit.org. What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, training and loving your pet. Email Sharon@Pets2008.com.

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