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Posts Tagged ‘Hybrid’

Hybrid cars have been getting a lot of buzz the last three or four years, and now with the soaring cost of oil and gasoline, hybrids are expected to get hotter than ever. Here are some Questions and Answers about hybrids.

1. What is a hybrid car?

A vehicle is a hybrid when it combines two or more sources of power. Hybrid cars almost always have a gasoline engine and an auxiliary electric motor system that runs off rechargeable batteries.

We normally assume that the point of hybridization is to save fuel, and that is definitely the case with most of the smaller compacts and sedans. But in fact some of the more upscale hybrid models are more concerned with boosting power and “performance” without the usual loss in fuel efficiency.

2. Do you have to plug your hybrid in at night?

You may assume because a hybrid car runs part of the time off its battery pack, that it is necessary to plug it in at night and recharge the batteries (like a golf cart!). But this is almost never the case. Hybrid cars recharge their batteries “on the fly” by making use of unused energy which is normally wasted during normal driving.

For instance, most have a system that captures some of the energy used while applying the brakes, and converts it to electrical energy to charge the battery. This is called “regenerative braking”.

If hybrids had larger battery packs that you could plug into the electricity grid, they would be able to transfer more of the vehicle’s power requirements over to the electric motor(s), and use even less gasoline. But most auto makers have been unwilling to go this route, arguing that today’s batteries could not take the extra load and more extensive usage.

3. Do you have to replace the batteries?

The short answer is No. Hybrid batteries typically have an 80,000 – 100,000 mile warranty. The U.S. Department of Energy tested them to 160,000 miles and stopped testing because they still performed almost like they were brand new. Some taxi drivers have gone more than 200,000 miles in a Toyota Prius without battery problems.

In any event, since hybrid battery packs have hundreds of cells, individual cells or modules could be replaced if there was a problem.

The best way to keep nickel metal hydride batteries performing at their peak is to keep their charge between 40% and 60% — never fully charged and never fully drained to zero power.

4. How long have hybrids been around?

Alternatives to the ICE (internal combustion engine) in automobiles have been around since at least 1900. The first patent for a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle was filed in 1905. Alternative fuel sources were wiped out as a result of two things. First was the development of the electric self-starter (in 1913) that made gasoline driven cars much easier to start.

The second development was the advent of the age of cheap oil that started around the time of the first World War. This completely removed the economic incentive to look for alternative fuel sources. This is only starting to change now, 80 years later.

5. Are hybrids expensive to purchase?

In January, 2006, there were 10 different hybrid models available from $19,000 to $53,000. The most popular models — the Insight, Civic, and Prius — are less than $30,000. According to auto maker announcements there should be more than 50 models available by 2010. As sales and production increase the prices should not be significantly more than for standard ICE models.

Even with the slightly higher average cost for a hybrid — usually around $3,000 — these additional initial costs can be offset by federal and state tax incentives, lower maintenance costs, and exceptionally strong resale values.

6. Are hybrids small and underpowered?

Initial hybrid models emphasized fuel economy, so were much lighter vehicles, and had smaller engines. The objective was to offset the loss of power in the ICE with additional power from the electric motor. This would result in essentially the same level of power while burning less fuel.

But this principle does not have to result in underpowered vehicles. In fact the Lexus Rx400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid both have a 270 horsepower power system. And the Lexus GS 450h hybrid sedan is expected to have more than 300 horsepower and go 0-to-60 in less than six seconds. Taking the quest for hybrid power even further, the Toyota Volta concept venicle has a 408 hp power plant.

7. What is the main reason people buy hybrid vehicles?

Saving money on fuel is the first thing most buyers think of. But, in fact, the amount saved on fuel over the life of the vehicle may not equal the extra purchase cost of the hybrid.

There are obviously other factors at play in the gradually building popularity of hybrids. Some people want to make a “green” statement, others simply want to be the first on the block with a new and promising technology.

8. Will hybrid technology save the environment?

There’s no doubt about it. Hybrids are becoming more popular. In the past five years hybrid sales in the U.S. have grown 2000 percent. Sales in 2000 were 9,500, and by the end of 2005 had grown to over 200,000.

But even this larger number is just 1.2% of the 17 million new cars sold last year. If every hybrid gave double the current fuel economy, from an average of 20 mpg to, say, 40 mpg, that would save roughly 100,000 gallons of gasoline a day. But that amount pales in comparison to the total daily gasoline consumption in the U.S. — 400 million gallons! The savings of 100,000 gallons would bring that number all the way down to … 399,900,000 gallons.

Not very significant. Obviously governments and auto makers will have to start getting very serious about hybrid technology before it will make a significant difference.

9. Does that mean hybrid technology is only a fad?

No it does not. Because the only way towards a sustainable future is to find a combination of fuels that will reduce our almost total dependence on oil. Hydrogen fueled vehicles will be part of that future, as will fuel cells, deisel, and alternative fuels such as ethanol.

But what is almost certain is that every promising solution will involve some kind of hybrid combination of technologies. So today’s hybrid vehicles are an important and necessary step towards a much more promising and sustainable future.

You may have seen one zipping past you in the high occupancy lane, a lone driver at the wheel. It’s a gasoline-electric hybrid car and driving in the HOV lane is just one of the benefits of ownership in many states. But what is a hybrid? How does it work? Is it the right car for you and your family?

A hybrid car has a both a gasoline engine and a battery. The battery is recharged by energy from the gasoline engine that would normally be lost during braking or decelerating. The car uses either the battery or the gasoline engine depending on several factors including how fast the car is traveling. Sometimes, both will work together to provide an extra boost of power without using too much extra fuel.

The result of this technology is cars that get significantly better gas mileage and produce less carbon dioxide emissions that traditional gasoline powered cars. For example, according to Honda, the 2006 Civic Hybrid gets 50 miles to the gallon on the highway, 14 miles to the gallon better than the 2003 regular Civic. When driven the national average of 12,000 miles, that represents a savings of 69 gallons of gas and 258 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

In the early days of hybrid cars, there were few models to choose from. People desiring to purchase a hybrid car were stuck in tiny cars with little cargo space. Today, however, manufacturers produce hybrid cars and light trucks in nearly every category including family-sized sedans, sport utility vehicles and minivans. The smallest cars still get the best gas mileage, but larger hybrids consistently outperform their regular siblings in gas mileage and carbon dioxide emissions.

Unfortunately, hybrid cars cost more than regular models. In the case of the 2006 Honda Civic, the hybrid model costs almost $7,000 more than the regular model. Congress passed a law providing tax credits for hybrid car owners that took effect on January 1, 2006 that would save the buyer of a 2006 Civic Hybrid $2,100. It would take several years to break even on the purchase of a hybrid counting gasoline savings alone. However, many hybrid owners are as dedicated to the environmental benefits of driving a hybrid as they are to the money they save.

One of the fears when hybrid cars first became available was that maintenance and insurance costs would be prohibitive. Research has shown that regular maintenance costs for hybrid vehicles are no higher than for regular vehicles. Additionally, hybrid car owners are less likely to be involved in accidents and some insurance companies have begun offering discounts to hybrid car owners.

More and more people are turning to hybrid cars these days because of their promise of lesser fuel consumption and environmental friendliness. Hybrid cars, because they run on both fuel and battery-powered engines, eat up less fuel, thereby sparing the consumer the pain of falling prey to price pressures in the world oil market. In addition, it also emits significantly less smog pollutants in the air, compared to traditional fuel-operated cars. Indeed, there are a lot of advantages to owning hybrid cars. This is why even the US government is starting to show support by welcoming more models into the country and by encouraging American auto makers like General Motors and Ford to make more units.

Here are some of the advantages of hybrid cars:

1) Efficiency – Hybrid cars are electrically operated and are thus able to function well and consistently at any motor speed. This is in contrast to conventional gas-powered engines, which tend to produce less power in low revolutions per minute episodes. Hybrid cars do not need to use transmissions to make their engines run at full capacity even at reduced speeds.

2) Economy – One of the advantages of hybrid cars is that the feature called “regenerative braking”. Since a hybrid car works using both electric power and fuel power, each can function by itself or conjunction, depending on which is stronger at the time of use. This means that both engines complement each other and do not simply bog one when one of them becomes weaker.

3) Convenience – Because hybrid cars are part battery powered, they do not create huge holes in the pocket, compared to users of traditional cars who feel the pain of the continuing oil price increases. Most hybrid cars, particularly the ones that are made in Japan, are also more compact and lightweight, making them easier to maneuver on the road. Other models, particularly those by American and European car makers also do not deviate from the stylish designs their regular counterparts adopt, so users don’t have to feel they are being left out in the style department.

4) Sustainability – Sure, hybrid cars are fairly new, so their immediate impact on the environment cannot be foreseen in the short term. However, over the course of time, the next generations will definitely be thankful for having a clean, pollution free world, thanks in part to hybrid vehicles.

Some critics say that it is not the time to buy hybrid vehicles because they are expensive. However, when you consider the advantages, you really shouldn’t think twice. While you must be discerning in choosing the right model for your needs, this doesn’t mean you start hesitating. After all, when more people start buying hybrid cars, manufacturers will see the need to produce more and eventually bring its price to very affordable levels.

Hybrid cars are the Model T of our century. They are cars produced to reduce greenhouse gases, at the same time to get better gas mileage than other vehicles which no one probably dreamed would be at all possible, but hybrid owner is grateful since the huge increase in gas prices in recent months. But do you know what is behind the hybrid cars’ ability to reduce emissions? How do they work?

A hybrid car is a cross of two kinds of cars: the fuel-driven and the electric car. Let us see how the two work and how they can function as one hybrid engine.

Fuel-driven engines of cars have a fuel tank, an internal-combustion engine, and a transmission, which work to let the wheels of the car go round and round. Fuel from the fuel tank is sent to the engine, which it processes through the transmission to make the wheels turn.

The same process goes through electric cars, but battery packs are used to send electricity to the motor. The motor then processes this through the transmission, which then makes the wheels turn.

A hybrid car has the parts of both the fuel-driven and the electric vehicle, including fuel tank, gas engine, battery pack, generator, and transmission. Some differences include the gas engine which is smaller on hybrid cars, and developed for more efficiency and emitting less harmful gases to the environment. Transmissions can be constructed so differently in some hybrids, but with the same basic purpose.

The one item a hybrid has that neither the electric nor the conventional car have is the generator. The generator on a hybrid is used to produce electricity, making the hybrid more efficient than an electric car because it does not have to stop to charge up.

The part that distinguishes a hybrid from the electric and the conventional car is the generator. This generator produces electricity, which makes the hybrid car more efficient than the electric car because there is not need to stop just to recharge.

A hybrid harnesses the power from electricity and gasoline using a computer system that commands the engine to shut off when its speed is 15 miles per hour or less. It can also tell the motor to push more when there is a need in getting uphill.

Let’s go back to the smaller engine size to understand how the hybrid vehicle works more efficiently. Its design, as you can see, is for the driver’s actual, not possible, needs. The traditional vehicle normally has a heavy engine for times it is really needed. But both energy and gasoline are wasted because we hardly need to step on it as much. The lighter and smaller parts of the hybrid engine can meet the actual needs of most drivers. There, so less energy and fuel are used unnecessarily in moving the heavy engine.

Hence, the power from two energies in the hybrid cars, electricity and gasoline, are more efficiently used in the long run. You are being eco-friendly too, the more you use the hybrid.

The price of fuel and the damage it brings to our environment has become more severe, and because of that, hybrid cars are currently considered as very beneficial to the preservation of the environment and natural resources. The reason behind this is that hybrid vehicles do not depend mainly on fuel for it to have power, but it also makes use of electricity resulting to a smaller amount of fuel consumption and less emitted air pollution.

List of hybrid cars should be provided so that people have options on what particular brand can be the best for fuel economy– is it hybrid suv, toyota hybrid car?

A hybrid car integrates an electric motor and gasoline engine to provide sufficient power to the vehicle with least fuel usage and fewer emissions. They are also far more fuel-efficient than purely gas-run cars, and far more practical for daily use than purely electric-powered cars. Integrating the two sources of power, a vehicle then is developed that is relatively non-polluting and will lead to less fuel consumption which means it possesses enough power to have freeway speeds that does not require too much fuel, it is also great for the stop and go driving in traffic laden areas.

The hybrid car was designed due to the result of the demand and clamor to clean the environment from pollutions and for the need to rely less on fuel consumption. To be able to recharge, plugging the hybrid into an electric outlet is not a necessity.They are charged by themselves by means of power usually lost during coasting and braking and can also be charged by the car’s gasoline engine.

It can offer many benefits than the usual regular gasoline engine type cars. Here is a list of a number of advantages hybrid cars offer.

Pollution is less promoted

It is a fact that the continuous ruin to our ozone layer is due to the greenhouse effect, and one of the factor that is contributing to its damage is pollution in the air, in which hazardous chemicals are transferred to the air, like carbon dioxide that are emitted by cars. The measure of carbon dioxide emitted by the hybrid vehicle is principally relative to the quantity of fuel it consumes; thus hybrid cars can extremely be a contributing factor in minimizing the advancement of global warming.

With the utilization of hybrid cars, fewer fuel is used because hybrid car do not totally use gas in order to operate, it also makes use of electricity, a power source that does not bring any danger to the environment.

More mileage with minimal fuel consumption

Another clear advantage of hybrid car is that it saves on gas. With the utilization of hybrid vehicles, you are able to save gas money because you don’t need to buy gas after every long trip wherein you can go several miles consuming less fuel.

As to date, an increase of 50% on hybrid car demand has been observed since it entered mainstream market. It’s no surprise how much of an effect they have had on the average driver and consumer but it seems that hybrid is definitely the future of the automobile industry; so much so, in fact, that it’s also not a shock to see hybrid car rental companies sprouting up here and there.

On the Rise

Long before the introduction of electric hybrid, car rental companies that support environment friendly vehicles have been around already. They were renting out other vehicles that were either purely electric or were using power sources other than the fuel and electric combination as well as the conventional gas-powered cars as well. As soon as hybrid electric vehicles were introduced, it was inevitable for these companies to add them to their rosters as well.

Advantage

With the growing popularity of hybrid electric vehicles, it’s just as well that these hybrid car rental agencies do exist. For the consumer, it will be a good opportunity to test out a hybrid before making the decision to purchasing to own one. By renting one out for a week or so, a person will be able to determine if the hybrid electric definitely will do what manufacturers say it will do.

Hybrid cars can differ in some of the vehicle’s aspects. The concept behind the technology may be the same for all manufacturers but there are a few key differences between hybrid models released by various car companies.

Savings

These hybrid car rental companies also makes touring more convenient for travelers. Travelers who do use hybrid cars will most definitely be spending much less on gas since hybrid electric vehicles can run for much longer on lesser amounts of gas.

In the long run, if this trend remains, hybrid electric cars will do much better than their gas-dependent counterparts as far as car rentals are concerned. This also means that car rental agencies that do rent out hybrid vehicles will probably rent them out at even cheaper prices since fuel rates will not be too much of a concern for them.

Maintenance for hybrid cars is also easier because it does not have too many mechanical engine parts under the hood. Since they are simple and get the job done more efficiently and in an eco-friendly way, consumers not only save money, but they end up saving the world from hazardous carbon dioxide emissions as well.

To date, there are only a few listings of hybrid car rental companies but the list is expected to rise with the demand. Perhaps through these hybrid car rental agencies, people will learn to appreciate hybrid vehicles even more which will hopefully lead to their use over gas guzzlers in the city streets and highways.

Shopping for a hybrid car is quite different from shopping for a regular car. You know that the hybrid will be easy on your budget and great for the environment but what else do you need to ask yourself? Here is a list of questions you need to answer to be able to find your ideal hybrid car.

Do you drive mostly on the highway or do you stick to city roads more? Many hybrids are great for highway driving but others are better when it comes to city roads. Figuring out what kind of driver you are is key to picking the right hybrid to meet your needs.

Do you need to save a lot of gas? The Honda Civic and the Toyota Prius hybrids are both excellent hybrids when it comes to saving a lot of gas. There are also many others who will run a close second to these cars.

Ar you interested in a sedan or would you rather have an SUV? As of today the hybrid car buyer is limited to one or the other but come the year 2009 you will also be able to choose from a full-sized pickup truck. Both the Chevy Silverado and the GM Sierra will be available in a hybrid.

Do you require a lot of space? Once you start shopping for a hybrid you will notice that many of the cars that were once roomier in a regular car are not as large on the interior now that they are a hybrid. If you require a lot of room you might want to make sure you throughly check to see if the hybrid you want has enough leg and head room to accommodate you comfortably. Don’t forget to think about traveling. Many new hybrids are short on storage space.

Are you interested in a hybrid that is less or more dependent on it’s battery pack? With hybrid cars some use the battery pack more than others will. They have the ability to switch from the gas engine while coasting or at very low speeds. If your interested in a hybrid like this then the Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius or even the Honda Civic is the one to check out.

Do you have the ability to pay for a hybrid? Hybrid cars cost more than regular cars by about $3,000 to $6,000. This increase can greatly effect what cars you are able to afford and whether you can have any extras.

Did you know you can receive a tax credit from purchasing a hybrid? The New Energy tax credit is give when less than 60,000 units of any hybrid have been sold. This credit is up to $3,400. Once 60,00 units have sold the government will begin reducing the credit. Ask your dealer for more information.

People buy hybrid cars for many reasons. Once you have decided why your purchasing a hybrid it will make the choice in which hybrid to purchase that much easier.