"Mike made my experience of leasing a new car so effortless. He had all the patience in the world to deal with my questions, concerns and doubts and truly delivered with the best option for me and my family. I have recommended him to many people and will continue to do so. He truly cares for his clients."
- Houman & Maria Mahboubi
"We've been getting cars from Mike & Premier Auto Lease for a while & wouldn't think of going anywhere else. We haven't leased or purchased directly from a dealership in years & every time we get a new car it's an enjoyable experience, thanks to Mike. I highly recommend him!"
- Lisa Lillien
"We have leased or purchased 4 cars from Mike & Premier Auto Lease over the last few years & I can say without question they were the best & easiest car buying experience we've ever had. Jeff & Mike are the hardest working most honest people in this business! We would never lease or purchase another car without Mike & Premier Auto Lease."
- Cary & Brian Russell
"At the time that I needed to buy or lease a car, I was 7 months pregnant. The last thing I wanted to do was spend my days at car dealerships and negotiate for hours. I knew exactly what car I was looking for, and Premier Auto Lease made everything happen from the convenience of my own home. I completed the paperwork at home, and all I had to do was drive to the dealership and pick up my car (they would have delivered it but the timing was easier for me to pick it up)! When I arrived at the Mercedes Benz dealership, the car was parked out front, freshly washed and waiting for me! Premier Auto Lease is very professional, quick to respond, finds exactly the car you're looking for, and hassle free. I highly recommend this service. It will make car buying/leasing a pleasure!"
- Camille A.
What is a hybrid?
A: A hybrid powertrain is one that combines two or more different types of propulsion with the goal of optimizing the benefits of each. In current automotive terms “hybrid” refers to a vehicle that has a gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine working in concert with a device known as a motor-generator, which combines the functions of an electric motor and an electrical generator into one unit. As its hyphenate name suggests, a motor-generator can function as a generator to charge a battery, and it can function as a motor to provide propulsion. A hybrid is not an electric car. You don’t plug it into a source of electricity to recharge it. Like a conventional car, the energy used to make a hybrid move down the road originates from burning gasoline in an internal combustion engine. The use of the storage battery, motor-generator and other technology is intended to make the vehicle more efficient in its use of fuel and to produce fewer exhaust emissions.
How does it work?
A: The theory behind this added efficiency is that a hybrid combines a smaller-than-usual gasoline engine with a motor-generator. The engine remains the primary propulsion source, but while it’s driving the vehicle it’s also turning the motor-generator, which is charging the battery. The energy stored in the battery then assists the gasoline engine in circumstances where extra power is necessary (accelerating from a dead stop or accelerating to pass, for instance). Some hybrids move from a stop on electric power alone, while others simply use the electric power to supplement the gasoline-engine power. In sophisticated systems the battery is also charged during braking. The motor-generator converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electrical energy, which is stored in the battery. This is called regenerative braking.
When a hybrid vehicle stops, the engine shuts off, so it’s not consuming fuel. When the driver releases the brake pedal to initiate motion, the engine starts when necessary to provide adequate acceleration and/or keep the battery in a proper charge state.
The fuel economy and emissions benefits of hybrids are almost all related to city driving or dense commuter traffic. In those circumstances, hybrids take advantage of shutting off the engine at stops, regenerative braking in stop-and-go traffic and low-speed driving where the vehicle may be propelled solely or partly by the stored electrical energy. At highway speeds the benefits are of course low emissions & also for quick acceleration in which the electric motor adds a rapid injection of power when needed for passing. This ability means the hybrid can be equipped with a much smaller internal combustion gasoline engine that otherwise would be required for similar performance.
What does it cost?
A: These days hybrids have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of roughly $3,000 to $7,000 more than comparable non-hybrid vehicles. Since hybrids are currently in high demand, dealers are not likely to offer much, if any, discount, and the actual selling price difference can be expected to be even more. If you’re considering a hybrid in the hope that its greater fuel economy will reduce your overall transportation cost this should not be the sole reason to consider a hybrid.
To offset at least a portion of the purchase price penalty the Federal Government offers tax credits which, at the time this is written, range from $1.250 to $7,500, depending upon the individual vehicle. There are certain qualifications, so you should consult your tax advisor before starting to count your money. For more information on hybrid tax credits (and a lot of other information on fuel economy related issues) visit the government website: www.fueleconomy.gov
What about associated costs?
A: There is no indication now that the cost of maintenance for a hybrid will be different than it is for a conventional vehicle. The battery pack is a main point of interest associated with cost, but manufacturers tell us the hybrid components, including the battery, will last for “the life of the car.” Clearly, “the life of the car” will mean different things to different people, but here are some points: Honda’s standard warranty on the battery is eight years or 80,000 miles; Toyota’s is Ten years or 150,000 miles. Within the industry there tends to be a very high degree of confidence regarding battery life, with a general feeling the batteries will last for 200,000 miles or more.
Are there any other advantages?
A: In some states certain hybrid vehicles that also meet established EPA fuel economy levels can be driven in the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV, sometimes called the “Diamond” or “Carpool”) Lanes with only one occupant. Many people in those states are buying hybrids precisely for that reason. Only a couple states are offering HOV stickers at this time, CA is not.
What about hybrids and EPA fuel economy?
A: Many drivers of hybrid vehicles do not obtain the fuel economy suggested by the Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy numbers. The same, however, can be said for drivers of conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles. The EPA figures are useful for comparisons between vehicles.
Is a hybrid safe?
A: Every new production vehicle sold in the United States meets every single Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, or it couldn’t be sold. There is no indication that a hybrid is any less safe than a conventional vehicle, and there is no indication that a wrecked hybrid is any more dangerous to emergency workers at the scene. Though hybrids do use high-voltage electricity, there is a minimal possibility of coming into contact with live high voltage even after a collision that severely damages the vehicle.
Is a hybrid for me?
A: If you see a hybrid primarily as a way to save money on your transportation costs, there are more effective ways to accomplish that goal—especially if you do a substantial amount of highway driving. But if it will help you save time on the commute, you do your driving in the city, you’d like less-frequent stops at the gas station or you want to limit fossil fuel consumption and benefit the environment, you’ll find value in a hybrid vehicle.
