What's on the Horizon For Hybrid & Alternative Fuel Cars?

As the selection of hybrid cars offered by automobile manufacturer grows, more and more drivers are turning to alternative fuel vehicles to save at the pump and be considerate of the environment. In fact, according to a study by J.D. Power and Associates, hybrids are forecasted to see triple the growth by 2015, accounting for 7 percent of the future car market. Before you decide to buy a hybrid car, consider some of the models that will available soon. It may be worth waiting for the new technology.

Hybrid and alternative fuel cars of the future

Hydrogen-powered cars - Hydrogen-powered cars are slowly becoming more prevalent. Since hydrogen is one of the most plentiful elements in the world, it makes sense that these cars are becoming more popular. Currently, limited-production models are offered only to a handful of drivers.

E85 ethanol-powered cars - A growing number of cars can run on an 85 percent blend of ethanol, but finding E85 cars can be tricky. The use of E85 as fuel is becoming increasingly common in the U.S., mainly in the Midwest where corn - the primary ingredient in ethanol - is a major crop.

Electric vehicles (EV) - Also referred to as electric drive vehicles, these cars use one or more electric motors as a power source. First created in the 1930s, EVs are becoming popular again. However, the selection of electric vehicles is limited, and often comes with a big price tag.

Plug-in hybrid cars (PHEV) - The batteries in a plug-in hybrid car can be recharged by connecting a plug to an electric power source. They are also sometimes called grid-connected hybrids, gas-optional hybrids or GO-HEVs. Several carmakers plan to introduce 100 mpg hybrids in 2010.

If you just can't wait for these hybrid cars of the future, try one of these popular options that you can drive home right now.
Traditional hybrid cars - Today's gas-electric hybrids are the most fuel-efficient cars on the road. Hybrid gas-electric cars are not as complicated as you might expect. Add an electric motor and rechargeable batteries to the conventional gas engine, and you can increase your fuel efficiency by as much as 50 percent.

Diesel cars - The newest generation of diesel cars offers lower emissions, high fuel efficiency and superior performance. Instead, a start-stop system, also called idle-stop, automatically shuts down and restarts its internal combustion engine. As a result, the amount of time the engine spends idling is reduced, which improves fuel economy about 10 percent. This can be a wise investment for drivers who spend a significant amount of time waiting at stoplights or in traffic jams. A stop-start hybrid is one of the simplest kinds of hybrid cars. However, this technology may become the most popular in the automotive industry within a few years."

Buying Car Insurance Through the Net

Purchasing automobile insurance through the internet is a whole lot different compared to getting insurance personally through an office. This is primarily because you do not get to have a face to face conversation with the person you are dealing with. Thus, you must be 100% sure that you are knowledgeable with what you are purchasing. You have to ask for a copy on the policies of the insurance that you are buying because not doing so may prone you to scams. Another copy needed is their rules and regulations so you will not be misled with your presumptions with their rules.

Secondly, you are not buying personally, it means that the copy of the policy will be mailed or faxed to you. Unless you are asked to sign personally, it would be sent to you via mail. When you receive the policies, ALWAYS make sure to read it carefully and thoroughly. Once you encounter a part or parts of the document that you find unclear, contact the person you are dealing with, and do not sign the policy. Send it back and look for your signed application forms and other papers for records.

Third, chances are you will pay via a credit card, check, money order, or by US Mail which you will do online. Make sure you have read the car insurance policies and understand it completely before signing it. This is the biggest setback of having insurance bought online as you have to wait for the package to come. When it arrives it is just then when you can sign. It delays the process.

Fourth, make sure that you will have the company to send you a writing saying that they will really send you a policy. Scams would just let you pay but will send you no policy at all. Make sure that the company would email you an auto quote saying that there really would be a policy to be sent to you. Never pay before you are confirmed to have a policy.

Research about the company you are dealing with. Also, compare the prices using web sites that allow you to compare auto insurance quotes. Search for a good web site that does not only show you which is the cheapest insurance but also makes sure that you will be seeing only reliable sources.