Not so long ago, mostly celebrities and other rich people drove hybrid vehicles.
But with the ever-increasing cost of gasoline, vehicles using electric power to decrease the amount of gasoline they burn are becoming increasingly popular. It seems everyone, including your local government, is getting environmental.
Harford County already has about 30 hybrid vehicles for employees, and Carroll County plans to get one.
“Everybody?s into them to a degree ? if not experimental, then trying to take some steps,” said Warren Patrick, Harford?s fleet manager. “It?s still all-new technology.”
Carroll has room in its budget this fiscal year to buy its first two hybrids, fleet manager David Reese said.
“It?s definitely catching on because other fleet managers like myself had to do a lot of research because it?s a big crossover,” Reese said.
Both counties use Honda Civic Hybrids, which cost nearly $23,000 for the 2007 models, but Harford also has 2007 Ford Escape Hybrids, costing close to $26,000.
The regular 2007 Civic and Escape are more than $7,000 cheaper than their hybrid counterparts, but officials believe that less time at the pump should more than make up the difference.
“It does seem like it?s going to be great cost-saving with gasoline,” Reese said. “They?re more than your typical sedan, but research shows that with the cost of gasoline, over five years you?re saving $6,290.”
While things have worked out well in Harford, Anne Arundel County officials said they aren?t too happy with the only hybrid they have because it?s not cost-effective.
