Visalia, California, has breathtaking views and lovely scenic routes. Many tourists and residents alike enjoy cruising down the streets just to check out some of the most stunning natural backdrops that the state has to offer. While cruising around this gorgeous town can be both entertaining and relaxing, driving too far can leave both your gas tank and your wallet empty.
At Visalia Ford, we have the perfect solution. We offer a wide range of eco-friendly hybrid vehicles that offer both a powerful combustion engine and an efficient electric motor. On average, drivers in the Fresno-Visalia-Madera-Handford region end up spending around $300 in extra fuel costs every year. With our eco-friendly lineup, you trim down those extra expenses without sacrificing performance or style. Here is a closer look at all of the exclusive benefits of hybrid cars.
Hybrid Cars vs. Gas Cars
Most people know that a gas-powered car is powered by gasoline only, and a hybrid car is fueled by both gas and electricity. However, knowing exactly how each power source works with the motors and engines will help you better understand how these two vehicles consume fuel differently.
Gas-Powered Car
All gas-powered vehicles have combustion engines. This type of engine works by first sucking in fuel and air into a cylinder and compressing it down with the pistons. Once the mixture is compressed, a spark ignites the fuel, causing tiny explosions or combustion. When a vehicle is travelling at a high rate of speed, fuel is burned faster.
As long as the vehicle is running, it is using gas, even if it’s idling. However, an idle engine runs cooler, which means some of the gasoline might not get all the way burned after being ignited. This can cause fuel residue to build up on the cylinder walls, essentially wasting the fuel.
Hybrid Cars
There are a couple of different types of hybrid vehicles (MHEV) available on the market today. Mild hybrids use a small electric motor to assist the engine during braking and accelerating. With this setup, the electric motor is only there to help the combustion engine and is never used to power the vehicle by itself.
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) uses a larger electric motor. The battery powering the motor is stronger and more robust than what you find on a mild hybrid. This not only gives more assistance to the combustion engine when braking and accelerating, but it can also power the vehicle on its own for a limited amount of time.
How Hybrids Save Money on Gas
Hybrid vehicles don’t use the full power of the engine at all times. Instead, they let the electric motor assist or even take over, giving your combustion engine and your gas tank a bit of a break. On average, most drivers in Visalia are able to reduce their fuel consumption by 30 to 50% when driving a hybrid car.
Other Benefits of Hybrids
In addition to saving you money at the pump, hybrid vehicles have a variety of other benefits, which include:
- Lower annual maintenance costs
- Reduced emissions
- Quiet and smoother operations
- Allow access to HOV lanes
California has a Drive Clean initiative that offers a variety of tax credits for people who own electric and hybrid vehicles. California hybrid owners are able to take advantage of both federal and state incentives that could give them up to several thousand dollars in tax credit. To see what incentive you qualify for, click here.
Get to Know Ford’s Hybrid Line-Up
At Visalia Ford, we have a variety of new and used hybrid vehicles to fit everyone’s needs and budget.
One of our most popular models is the 2025 Ford Maverick XL. This stunning truck’s exterior has been redesigned to feature sleek and elegant curves that not only make it look nice but also make it more aerodynamic. The Flexbed storage helps drivers to keep their cargo safe and organized.
The interior of the Ford Maverick XL is spacious and can seat up to five adults comfortably, offering plenty of legroom for both front and backseat passengers. There are also a variety of high-end amenities, including a large LED touchscreen, a 360-degree camera, and standard driver-assist.
If an SUV is more your style, then you’ve got to check out the 2025 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid. This vehicle features breathtaking style on the outside and a luxurious and spacious interior. The heated seats and dual-zone climate control panel ensure that all occupants of the vehicle are comfortable all year long. Features such as the Lane-Keep Assist, Pedestrian Alert, rear parking sensor, and Cross-Traffic Alert help to keep everyone in and outside of the vehicle safe.
Financially Smart and Eco-Conscious: Find Your Next Ford Hybrid at Visalia Ford
Ready to start saving money while driving in style? At Visalia Ford, we offer a wide variety of powerful and luxurious hybrid vehicles. Contact us today to learn more about our hybrid inventory.
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