 TITLE: Do Hybrid and Electric Cars Really Save You Money? CONTENT: How to Decide Which Type of Car Is for You\n------------------------------------------\nChoosing between an electric or hybrid vehicle and a fuel-powered car may seem like an easy decision or a difficult one, depending on your situation and preferences. But there are several factors to keep in mind as you make your decision.\n*   **Feelings on gas emissions**: Many people switch to electric or hybrid vehicles because they care about the environment and want to reduce their contribution to the emissions that fuel-powered vehicles put out. Of course, going electric doesn't bring your emissions down to zero, as electricity can be produced from burning coal or gas, among other sources. But it can still make a huge difference, and if that's important to you, electric and hybrid vehicles offer a major advantage.\n*   **How you use your vehicle**: If you use your car primarily to commute, you'll need to consider the length of your commute, gas mileage on cars you're considering and gas prices in your area. If you go on a lot of road trips, you may find that electric vehicle charging stations are much less plentiful than gas stations. Also, if you spend a lot of time outdoors, including traversing dirt roads and rough terrain, the type of vehicle you need may not be available in electric or hybrid form.\n*   **Upfront costs**: While operating an electric or hybrid vehicle is typically cheaper over time, and you can receive tax credits for purchasing one, electric vehicles tend to be more expensive than gas-powered vehicles when comparing similar models. If you finance the vehicle, you can spread that extra cost over several years, but if you're making a down payment, it'll typically go further with a fuel-powered vehicle.\n*   **Convenience**: Electric charging stations are growing in number, and there are apps you can use to find ones close by wherever you are. But they're still not as plentiful as gas stations, so you may need to go out of your way to find them. What's more, it takes time to charge your vehicle. If you're on a long road trip, for instance, you may need to tack on several hours to your trip just to get to your destination. If you're using your car primarily to commute and can charge your car at home for most of your needs, however, this may not be an issue. END