Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Gov't urges affluent Pinoys to purchase hybrid vehicles (10:16 a.m.)
MANILA -- Malacañang has urged the Philippines’ "can afford" class to buy a hybrid car as their contribution to the environment and the economy.
A hybrid car combines a gasoline-powered engine with an electric motor to provide increased gas mileage and help lower emissions. It gives 30 percent savings in terms of fuel and raises mileage to 13 kilometers per liter for city driving and 28 kilometers per liter in the highway compared to 9.2 kilometers for the conventional vehicle.
However, Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla said a hybrid car costs P500,000 more than the regular vehicles. This means shelling out at least P1.5 million.
This is the reason why owning a hybrid vehicle has become a status symbol in the US and Europe.
Among those in the US who own a hybrid car are actresses Alicia Silverstone and Cameron Diaz, singer Billy Joel, and actors Brad Pitt, David Duchovny, Harrison Ford, Jack Nicholson, Leonardo Di Caprio, Kevin Bacon, Robin Williams, and Tom Hanks.
The rap group Black Eyed Peas uses a customized red Honda hybrid car in its cross-country tour in order to promote environmental protection. (JMR) |
