Oct 13, 2007 7:15 pm US/Mountain
New EPA Ratings Don't Slow Hybrid Sales
Denver Car Dealers Say New Gas Mileage Ratings Won't Hurt Sales
by Paul Day
DENVER (CBS4) ―
Hybrid vehicle sales are still strong despite new fuel economy ratings from the Environment Protection Agency. The EPA's action comes after consumers have been claiming hybrid vehicles are not meeting the promised gas mileage projections.
Jill Walker bought a Ford Escape hybrid in June because of its EPA rating. The original rating for the Ford was 32 miles per gallon. The 2008 model has the same powertrain but with the new EPA rating it fell to 28 miles per gallon.
Walker still is satisfied with her purchase.
"My old car I was getting 18 to 20 and it was about the same size as this (Ford Escape Hybrid)," she said.
Toyota Prius is one of the most sought after hybrids on the market, according to several Denver area car dealers. The Prius' city rating is set at 48 miles per gallon, which is 20 percent less than what it was last year at 60 miles per gallon.
John Petro, a salesman at Stevinson Toyota, believes cutting down on air pollution is the main concern for consumers.
"It's more about the environment, which is why we're selling this vehicle," he said.
Petro claims the Prius cuts tailpipe pollution by 85 percent.
Tax breaks are another possible reason for strong hybrid sales. Consumers who bought a hybrid before September 2007 received a tax break, which saved thousands on the purchase. The U.S. government stopped the tax incentives for Toyota Hybrids at the end of September.
The tax breaks for Ford hybrids remain and even increased earlier this year.
Tony Adams, a salesman at Phil Long Ford, believes manufacturers have addressed the Hybrid issue of EPA ratings.
"The manufacturers have a lot invested in this technology," he said. "(For this reason) the federal government has stepped up with their (tax break) programs."
For more information about the new EPA gas ratings for hybrids, visit
www.fueleconomy.gov.
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