With all the stylish new green vehicles available today, many consumers are considering whether a “green” vehicle is a good option. Although there are obvious benefits to “green” cars, there are also some aspects of owning a green vehicle that you may need to evaluate. If you are thinking that your next vehicle should be “green”, here are some things to consider.

Pro: The most obvious advantage is that green cars have lower emissions than traditional cars and use naturally occurring energy sources or reduce the need for oil.

Con: The first downside you may know of when considering a “green” vehicle is cost. Green vehicles are typically thousands more than traditional vehicles, which can make their upfront costs unaffordable for some consumers.

Pro – If you can beat your high upfront cost, there are tax incentives for those who buy a “green” vehicle. In some cases, the total of these credits equaled dollar-for-dollar deductions for some taxpayers.

Disadvantage: These vehicles are often high maintenance. Green car insurance tends to be a bit high. But this is because replacement and repair parts for these vehicles are expensive. Additionally, advanced technology prevents these vehicles from being repaired in the average garage.

Advantage: If your frequent commutes involve stop-and-go traffic found in major cities and densely populated areas, you will quickly see the gas benefits of these vehicles. This is because the gasoline engine in hybrid vehicles shuts down when it is at a red light and the electric motor kicks in once the accelerator pedal is pressed.

Disadvantage: Unfortunately, if your trip requires driving on an open highway, it can take much longer to see a real gas saving. Typically, in hybrids, only the gasoline engine runs for long periods of driving on the open road.

Pro: Several states and other countries are making these vehicles attractive, thanks to the growing advantages they offer, such as free or special parking and hybrid specific driving lanes.

Con: There are safety concerns associated with hybrid vehicles. It has been said that the electric battery will shut down in the event of an accident. This is not a definitive answer. Therefore, there is concern about how the electric battery will react to a serious impact.

Pro: While most of the pros and cons on our list are based on hybrid electric vehicles, due to their popularity. There are other “green” vehicles, such as bioethanol, that are also available.

Disadvantage: The availability of gas stations for bioethanol and similar “green” vehicles, such as biodiesel vehicles, can be difficult to find, depending on where you live.

There are pros and cons to all the important decisions in life, and choosing an eco-friendly vehicle or not is no different. Still, the long-lasting benefits of green vehicles far outweigh the cons. And, with advances in “green” vehicle technology, the downside is decreasing with each new model.