From Guest Blogger Hank Young: Why Go Hybrid In 2013?

2013 is looking to be a promising year for auto companies after the industry helped propel the economy through 2012 with a monumental comeback and record sales since the beginning of the recession in 2008. According to The Polk research firm, 2013 is looking to be even better year for car sales in the United States, following the 7 percent rise in sales since last year.

And as those sales continue, many expect that hybrid cars will play a large role in the industry’s success. For those of you buying in 2013, here are a few reasons to go hybrid with your next purchase.

It’s Come a Long, Long Way

Ten years ago, the choices for hybrid vehicles were the Toyota Prius and the… well, Toyota Prius. Just a decade ago the technology was so new that other manufacturers had barely adopted mass production to compete with Toyota. Fast forward to 2013 and the business of hybrid cars has opened up to both domestic and imported manufacturers.

The Price is Finally Worth It

Of the top 10 hybrid cars in the U.S., according to US News & World Report, nine of them are listed below $30,000 (one of them, the Prius, is less than $20,000). That’s a statement you couldn’t have made 10 years ago. Not by a long shot. As hybrid technology becomes more refined, the price becomes more affordable. Aside from stopping at the gas station less often, drivers can also capitalize on owning a hybrid car like lower car insurance quotes and federal tax credits.

They’re Safer

The beauty of hybrid cars is that the technology behind their engines can be applied to almost any existing car that already uses a combustion engine under the hood. According to Forbes.com, the two safest cars of 2012, the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series, are also available in hybrid options. That means the cars that already have good reputations for their safety records will likely go hybrid if they’re not already.

They’ve Embraced Sexy

Speaking of the Audi A6 and the BMW 5 Series, it’s not just all about great mileage and and tax credits. Drivers want to look good when they’re on the road. In the past, that wasn’t very possible. Nothing against an older Toyota Prius, but it’s not exactly the ideal ride for a first date. Some of the world’s most exotic cars are offering hybrid models without changing the body style. Even Ferrari plans to release a 900 horsepower supercar, according to USA Today.

There’s a lot of supporting evidence to show us that 2013 might just be the year of the hybrid car. If you’ve been in the market for one in the past but couldn’t bring yourself to pull the trigger, now could be the time to finally go green.

–  Hank still remembers his first experience working on an electric car. It was a BMW, and since then, he’s been following alternatively fueled vehicles and writing about hybrid and electric cars exclusively.