Friday, March 30, 2007

Hybrid Cars Are The Vehicles Of Choice These Days



Hybrid Cars are becoming more and more popular. Hybrids are both stylish and have a reputation for being safe and fuel efficient. With more and more consumers focusing on the ongoing problem of air pollution, it is not surprising they are drawn to hybrid Cars. Toyota and Lexus sold over 60,000 Hybrid Cars combined since Jan 1 2006. Hybrid Vehicles are easy on the environment as well as your pocketbook. The fact that they are designed to be kind to the environment is getting the attention of many consumers, businesses, and governments.
Hybrids operate using both a small gasoline engine and an electric engine. The two work independently and together to create one of the most efficient methods of transportation. The smaller gasoline engine uses much less gasoline to operate the hybrid than a conventional gasoline powered vehicles uses. Therefore, owners of hybrids can enjoy lower fees at the gas pump. In addition, since the hybrids use less gas, they emit fewer pollutants. And help America become less dependent on forein oil. In fact, experts agree that a typical hybrid will emit up to 90% fewer pollutants than a typical automobile. These statistics are amazing and are the cause of many new developments and incentives being offered to consumers. For instance with the purchase of a Hybrid Car you get tax incentive savings. Along with savings at the gas pump.
Here is a list of some typical hybrid cars MPG.
Car Make/Model – city/hwy
Honda Insight – 60/66
Toyota Prius – 60/51 Honda Civic Hybrid – 49/51
Volkswagen Golf TDI – 37/44
Volkswagen New Beetle TDI – 37/44
Volkswagen Jetta TDI – 36/41
Toyota Corolla – 32/41 Scion xA – 32/37
Hyundai Accent – 32/35 Kia Rio – 32/35
Honda Civic – 30/40
Pontiac Vibe – 30/36
Toyota Matrix – 30/36


Even some businesses are offering incentives to employees who are planning to buy, or already own hybrids. Some businesses, such as Google, are offering $5000 for each employee toward the purchase of a new hybrid. Hyperion, the software company based in Santa Clara, California is also offering this cash incentive. Most corporations set aside millions in the yearly budget in order to compensate for these incentives. When asked, the corporations state they are giving their employees this opportunity in order to give back to the community. They feel that their locations have given to them through sales and in return they should give back to their community by providing cleaner air.

Companies like Google even go so far to offer extensive group transportation schedules as well to further the positive effects on your communitys air quality. The fact that hybrids are environmentally friendly is also getting the attention of local governments across the United States. Local governments are offering free parking to hybrid drivers. Many cities like Los Angeles are allowing hybrid owners to park for free at city lots and parking meters. This incentive is showing consumers that the local government is supporting smart and environmentally wise shopping. With everyone in a community focused on being environmentally responsible, there is a common goal that leads to a better overall community.

In addition to the employers and government incentives, a few insurance companies are also offering incentives to hybrid drivers, in order to reward them for their smart choice. Although it would seem that the insurance companies were offering these discounts because statistics have shown hybrid drivers are less likely to file claims, it is not the case. At this time there is not enough evidence, according to experts, to be able to determine the risks hybrid drivers may or may not pose for an insurance company. The companies offering incentives are simply doing so to promote smart environmental decisions by consumers.

Consumers hear on the news and weather channel daily about the risks of global warming and air pollution. When you live in a large city, there are even days when smog alerts are as serious as a tornado. It is not fiction that air pollution damages humans and the Earth. Therefore, it is our responsibility to make wise choices when it comes to pollutants. Anything consumers can possibly do to cut down on their own personal pollution levels is a great thing. With our schedules being busier than ever, it is not likely everyone can forgo their vehicle for the greater good of the planet. However, hybrids are now offering a nice middle ground that allows everyone to profit. Consumers, corporations, and local governments are realizing the benefits. With long waiting lists in place for the newest hybrid arrivals, it is likely the hybrid will be the vehicle of the future!

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

About the Author: John McCollim . The author operates an article directory http://www.articles-and.bestfinancenews.com/index And an informative Hybrid Cars site. http://www.activehybrid.com

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Daimlerchrysler Develops Plug-in Hybrid

Car buyers around the world are now looking for fuel efficient vehicles, and this demand has led car manufacturers to develop fuel efficient vehicles. DaimlerChrysler, one of the major players in the global auto scene, is currently expanding its advanced propulsion technology program to include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
The newest addition to the group’s lineup of fuel efficient vehicle is the plug-in Dodge Sprinter hybrid electric vehicle. Through the first quarter of 2008 from today, twenty of the aforementioned vehicles will be tested by consumers in the United States. DaimlerChrysler is the only car maker to evaluate their plug-in hybrid vehicles by letting their customers themselves have a go at it.
Four of the said vehicles are already in the hands of customers and are being tested for their real-world performance. These vehicles feature advanced battery technology and a hybrid drivetrain configuration which pertains to an electric motor that provides the additional power to its small internal combustion engine.The vehicles are equipped with a small engine which will be available either in gasoline or diesel fuel configuration. Of course, diesel engine will give consumers the better fuel efficiency of the two engines.
Diesel’s ability to provide huge amount of energy and its relatively cheaper price compared to gasoline makes it the obvious choice for those who wants to save cash on the pump. Aside from the efficient gasoline or diesel engines, the plug-in 2007 Dodge Sprinter hybrid will be featuring a Lithium-ion battery pack. Li-ion as it is called is more powerful and weighs considerably less than the usual nickel-metal hydride battery.
This means that the plug-in vehicles will also weigh less when compared to a similar vehicle equipped with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The lighter the vehicle, the less power it needs to drive it which means that the switch to lithium-ion batteries will indirectly reduce the amount of fuel consumed by the internal combustion engine.
The development of batteries is the most common issue being looked into by car manufacturers developing hybrid electric vehicles. Mark Chernoby, the Vice President for Advanced Vehicle Engineering for the Chrysler Group, says that: “For plug-in hybrid technology to move forward, a dramatic leap in battery technology is necessary.” He further emphasized the battery technology being used by the Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrid. “The energy storage systems in the Dodge Sprinter PHEV concept fleet will provide valuable field experience on the possibilities with lithium-ion battery technology,” says Chernoby.
The plug-in technology will greatly increase the fuel efficiency of hybrid vehicles since vehicles with this technology can conveniently recharge its battery pack via a common household power outlet. The plug-in Dodge Sprinter hybrid is reported to have the ability to travel up to 20 miles on battery power alone. For some motorists, that is enough to cover their mileage in a day.
That means that they may not even consume a drop of fuel in a day. This technology needs more improvements so that consumers can easily afford these vehicles as they can easily afford to buy replacement Volvo shocks when the old ones wear out.
About the Author:
Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

New Technology for Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid vehicles have become more and more popular in the U.S. since Toyota introduced the Prius. This fuel efficient vehicle is equipped with a small engine that is powered commonly by gasoline. Its fuel efficiency is due to the use of an electric motor which supplies the additional power to aid the engine.
While a small engine may not be suitable for some driving conditions, the electric motor powered by an on board battery pack makes the power produced by the small engine adequate enough. But designers and engineers in the auto industry are constantly looking for ways to improve the performance of a hybrid vehicle. Turbodyne Technologies Inc. is one of the companies looking for ways to improve the performance of hybrid cars. Recently, the company announced that they have developed a new technology which is aimed to help hybrid vehicles perform even better.
Turbodyne has improved the design of the Turbodyne TurboFlow™ electronic air injection system. The technology is aimed for use by hybrid vehicles. “It’s clear that hybrid vehicle production is experiencing significant growth,” says Al Case, the Chief Executive Officer of Turbodyne. “”The biggest challenge is maximizing engine output while maintaining fuel economy. That’s where the opportunity lies for the Turbodyne TurboFlow™ air injection system,” Case added.
The TurboFlow technology differs from turbochargers and superchargers by the absence of mechanical linkages. That is because the Turbodyne TurboFlow air injection system uses an electric motor to operate the air compressor which in turn supplies air to the engine.
By eliminating the mechanical linkages, the air injection system is made better than turbochargers or superchargers. Superchargers need power from the engine to operate the air compressor and this means that the power generated by the engine will be reduced.
Turbochargers, on the other hand, use gas exhaust to force air to the combustion chamber. This means that when there is significantly less exhaust gas, like for instance when starting a car, the turbocharger cannot help the engine. Both the engine power reduction and lack of take-off power problems are solved by the Turbodyne TurboFlow™ air injection system.
Since hybrid vehicles are known to have a good storage of electrical energy, it makes sense that the new air injection system for hybrid vehicles is powered by electricity. Since the Turbodyne TurboFlow™ air injection system is not dependent on the engine, it can be used throughout a driving cycle. It is specifically designed to provide air into small displacement engines like those used on hybrid engines.
This new technology will further increase the performance of the fuel efficient vehicles. This could mean that hybrid vehicles will be continuing their domination of the auto industry in the future. From the way things look, hybrid vehicles have become the bully dog in the yard of automobile industry.
With more and more developments like these, we can surely expect more and more hybrid vehicles roaming our streets.
About the Author

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.

Hybrid Car Reviews Information

As opposed to reviews regarding hybrid cars, owning one is not that simple. For most drivers of
hybrid vehicles, it is not easy being the center of attention. This is proven each time they get behind the wheel.

Driving a hybrid is a personal statement; something similar to crossing the urges to buy a diesel Rabbit and a Mercedes SLK. You always want good mileage in a car that turns heads.
But out on the highways and byways, the heads being turned seem to lose those smiles on their faces. Whether through envy or just plain old unpleasantness, hybrid owners are generating their share of ire from the gasoline only drivers, or mono-drivers.
Here are some of the reviews about hybrid cars and the reality behind them.

Review Number 1: Driving slow

It is already known that driving slower saves gasoline. People who are civic minded have been driving their vehicles at or under the speed limit for years. But the popularity of hybrid cars has made that driving style more visible.
The same thing applies when first putting the car into motion. Note that it is even more critical to the mileage to do so in a slow, controlled manner. On open roads, speed-limit may not be the thing. But when accelerating, hybrid cars have to move slowly or else the gas mileage gauge will take its toll.

Driving slowly can also annoy other passengers in the vehicles, especially those who are in a hurry. In this situation, it is recommend to make a few more miles per hour. After all, your hybrid car will still be getting better mileage than almost anyone else on the road.
Review Number 2: Pulse and Glide

There are a number of continuous discussions about how pulsing and gliding can result in substantially improved mileage.

The concept is simple: when on level ground or even slight uphills, accelerate smoothly to the speed limit and then allow the car to glide to 10+ MPH below the speed limit. Then pulse and glide again, and again, and again.
While this certainly seems to improve mileage, it would probably would not win you many friends on the roadway, especially those behind you. Both driving slow and pulse and glide will cause even more animosity with the mono world if more states allow solo hybrid drivers to use carpool lanes.

Review Number 3: Refusing to inch forward

During traffic, mono-drivers would want to move on inch by inch. You cannot do the same thing with hybrid cars. Taking the foot off the brake pedal, auto-stop turns off and gasoline engine will restart, burning unnecessarily fuel.
Some extraordinary drivers out there might be a little more willing to let the car slide forward if the batteries are full using stealth mode, but even you would not want to use any of those hard earned electrons to advance negligibly. This can really annoy mono-drivers as it is such a socially-unacceptable thing to do.
4. Drafting life away

Another effective way to improve gas mileage is to draft off a vehicle bigger than yourself. If you pull up right behind a semi or even a decent sized van you can improve your mileage by about 10%.

Of course, sticking right up to someone's bumper is not a good way to make friends and it is a dangerous practice as well, so it is not recommend to do too much drafting at highway speeds.
5. Smiling at the service station

This is probably the biggest reason for the hybrid backlash. Hybrid car owners stop at the pump much less often than others and therefore does not feel as resentful of high gas prices as mono-drivers.

6. Sense of Superiority

All the other review numbers above mentioned that. Check them out.

There are some of the reasons why mono-drivers might start swearing when they see hybrid cars. Their mind-set might have come from the many reviews, not to mention the praises, that these hybrid cars are getting.

As with all situations, happy relations between two divergent groups requires some give and take. Hybrid owners have to be aware that their efforts to improve mileage are actually annoying other drivers.

Next time you see a review about hybrid cars, just think about the suffering owners.

By Stacy Higgins, is a website publisher and author concerned with the environment. Take a break and visit http://www.chemical-sensitivity.net/laundry-ball.html

Monday, March 26, 2007

Automobile Information On Hybrid Vehicles by Willy Mason

The Emergence of Hybrid Vehicles

For many years people have often owned or driven cars that are not only to help for transportation purposes but are also there for improving the overall mobility experience.

In recent past times, people also drove cars to show off or flaunt their status symbol or just for the sake of casual and fun joy rides.

But those good times are turning into rare dreams now. For every motorist, it's really getting harder and harder each day. Almost everybody, may it be a student or a retired senior person, is troubled and concerned about the zooming up gasoline or oil prices.

Given the constantly rising increases in gasoline prices, which come almost on a weekly basis, there is no wonder why people are forced to limit the use of car to a basic necessity.

Hybrid vehicles

During the start of the new millennium, giant car manufacturers had heralded great news about the development of modern cars that would significantly cut oil consumption.

Japanese car makers Toyota and Honda started with their research on alternative fuel efficient transmission systems and soon became the pioneers in this particular endeavor. Their United States and German counterparts followed the trend soon.

That was the emergence of hybrid vehicles in the now sluggish global car industry.

But what exactly are hybrid vehicles? Literally, the word 'hybrid' means a crossover or integration of two systems or components. Applying this term for vehicles, it means a combination of two types of cars, the gasoline powered cars and the electric powered cars.
Before understanding the hybrids further, let's get familiarized with the two mentioned car types.

The gas-powered and electric-powered vehicles

The gas-powered cars are the predecessor of all the other types of cars that came after it. The first invented car and all the other cars and modifications that follow it until the end of the 20th century are all gas-powered cars.

Gas powered cars are, you guessed it right, run by gasoline or oil. These cars have made oil exported fro the Middle East and other nations valued like gold, because of its volatile pricing.

Many years of research and development has enabled the manufacturers to add key improvements in the newer models of the gas-powered cars. Some of them are truly superior over the others. However, their owners and users have always been complaining about their increasing bills for oil consumption.

At the same time, the environmentalists are complaining about such cars' air pollution. They are raising strong concerns over the combustion process that produces bi-products that are harmful to nature.

The first attempt of car makers to address the increasingly rising and agitating concerns about higher oil prices and depleting ozone layer in the atmosphere was that of electric cars.

But alas, on practical grounds, those efforts were proven futile and non-feasible. Electric powered cars were turned down as impractical because their mileage and speed would not match the capacity of the gas-powered vehicles by a great margin.

A powerful combination

So, if the gas-powered vehicles were too expensive and pollution causing to maintain but really fast and reliable, and if the electric cars are not fast and reliable, but significantly cut costs of oil expenses and reduce pollution, why not combine both?

Smart integration and the 'meeting half way' option for the electric and gas powered cars paved the way for the rise of the hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid vehicle system consists of both gas powered engine and battery set powered motor, and a fine balance of the two power sources to manage the transmission. It truly combines the strength of both car types and addresses the concerns arising from each car types too.

However, many experts and car fanatics are still disappointed with the hybrid car's inability to reduce oil bills as massively and tremendously as anticipated by the public before its introduction to the market.

A big concern is about the purchase price for hybrid vehicles. It's still way, way higher. Also, due to their complex designs, many people fear that their maintenance costs will be significantly more than the gas powered cars.

It has been just a few years since the emergence of hybrid vehicles. In the future, very soon, as the production cost would go down, the prices of hybrid cars would certainly be dragged down to an affordable level.

To find out more about hybrid vehicles and to collect a free book that helps to provide detailed information on hybrids visit latest 2007 hybrid vehicles. More articles and information on hybrid cars is available at: help on electric and hybrid cars

Hybrid Car Buying Options

The hybrid car market has built upon us slowly but steadily over the last decade ago. If you can remember back that far you'll recall that gas was hovering around a dollar a gallon and we were in an economic boom, right on the edge of the dotcom bubble and the economic reality of the new millennium.

The last half decade or so has brought a few other realities as well, the most prevalent being the truth in global warming. The social effects are just now starting to be seen, right alongside the commercial effects. The evolution of the automobile has sidled right up to the plate as the next major development. For those interested in helping out by owning one of the new generation of the car, your choices were limited for a long time, but with each passing year a whole new slew of options open up as car companies hop onto the bandwagon, realizing that there is in fact money to be made in this market.

Until Ford finally announced their Escape model recently, the market has been dominated by Japanese automakers, and even now as more American companies get involved, they have nearly a ten year head start in the market.

Toyota Prius - The most popular and oldest of all hybrid models, the Prius is one of the cheapest models available as well as the most efficient with nearly 60 mpg. There is a downside to being the most popular however - a waiting list of two to nine months.

Honda Insight - Honda's new entry, the Insight is a straight up competitor to the Prius, with a slightly lower price point and slightly higher mpg. It doesn't have the establishment of brand name like Toyota's machine, but the success of Civic and Accord hybrids in Honda's line places them in a better position than any other car company to take Toyota on.

Ford Escape - The Escape Hybrid is the first time an American car company has offered a hybrid vehicle to the public. Their first entry is an attempt to pacify both markets at the same time, offering a more expensive SUV hybrid that gets significantly better mileage than most SUVs on the market, but still fails to come anywhere near the Toyota or Honda mileage standards.

Lexus and Toyota have offered their own entries into the SUV hybrid arena, with the Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Highlander respectively. The popularity of the SUV being what it is, the price point is rendered partially if not entirely mute, as those on the cusp of buying an SUV because of gas mileage might reconsider when these options are presented.

With upwards of 10 new models supposedly being unveiled later this year, the list of hybrid cars available to the public is growing rapidly, finally catching up to the demand that Toyota and their over-stuffed order forms can attest to. What remains to be seen now is if the kind of technology race that this market needs is coming right behind.
About the Author
Anthony Chatfield writes for Go Hybrid, where you can find information on hybrid cars, hybrid car batteries, and more energy-saving alternatives.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Top 3 Picks For Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars are fast becoming more and more popular due to the rising fuel costs and the prices of hybrid cars are becoming more and more affordable. The performance of hybrid cars are also comparable to diesel/petrol cars so there’s no reason not to get it.
There are plenty of new hybrid car models introduced every year but here are my top 3 picks that offers the best performance and features for the price.
#3 Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic hybrid is not a new model and has been on the market for some time. The price retails around $20,000 and the fuel performance is 47 city mpg and 48 highway mpg.
Though it isn’t terribly fast, what I like about the honda civic hybrid is that it can carry up to 5 people. It is more functional and is suitable as a family car. It also pass the crash test rating with a good score of 5.
If you have a family and do not need to get anywhere fast, then going with a honda civic hybrid is a good buy.
#2 Honda Insight
The honda insight is a two seater hybrid car which have fuel performance of 57 city mpg and 56 highway mpg. The price is about the same as the honda civic hybrid. It is a very reliable car which I have owned for a couple of years. So far, it has not given me such problems.
There are a couple of disadvantages, firstly it is 2 seater which means it’s not a family type of car. Secondly, the horsepower isn’t that great with only 71 hp.
It is my second top pick because I like its reliability and when you compare price to performance, it is pretty good.
#1 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius hybrid car is my top pick because it offers the best performance for the price you get. It cost around $19,000 which is the cheapest out of the three. It has more horsepower at 110 hp and can do 60 city mpg and 51 highway mpg. It is a family sized car which can hold 5 people quite comfortably with some space left in the trunk.
It also get a 4.5 score for it’s crash test rating. For price and performance, you can’t beat the toyota prius.
About The Author
Ricky Lim operates a hybrid cars site at http://all-hybrid-cars.info Visit his site for more information on hybrid car battery and hybrid car tax and other hybrid cars information.

What Are The Benefits Of Hybrid Cars?

These days no one wants to buy a car that eats up dollars at the gas pump. A hybrid offers as much fuel efficiency as possible through its design and technology. Depending on the model, hybrid cars can give their owners anywhere from 20 to 60mpg. They also have a good performance rating and a smooth ride without the gas drain.
Its in the automakers interest to produce these hybrids for the US market, since by law Automakers are mandated to keep the “Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standard” or CAFÉ for short. Currently, the CAFÉ standard for all vehicles sold to consumers is 27.8mpg (8.55 liters per 100km). So if a car company can sell a hybrid with a mileage of 60mpg ( 3.92 liters per 100km) they can put 4 more large expensive luxury cars which give much less mileage on the market without violating CAFÉ.
In order to get the best mileage out of the hybrid, the car makers rely on optimizing the weight, the size and the aerodynamics. The weight is dramatically reduced by making the body out of light aluminum. The engine’s weight and height are also decreased. Materials such as carbon fiber and magnesium are also used in different models. The Honda Insight for example, which is about 1900 pounds (862kg) is less than half of what a traditional car weighs.
And a small efficient engine saves on energy, particularly when moving up and incline. A big engine uses more cylinders and puts those cylinders through more work and needs more gas. If you look at the Honda Insight, its engine weighs about 124 pounds (56kg) and contains only a 1 liter 3 cylinder engine. So it can produce 67 horsepower at 5700rpm. On top of that, there is the VTEC system and lean burn technology installed.
Another area that helps maximize the fuel efficiency of a hybrid is the use of advanced aerodynamics. When you are driving on a busy stretch of road, it’s the engine that provides the power needed to move the vehicle against force of the air. That force is called “aerodynamic drag”. This drag is minimized in two ways. First, the hybrid is designed to have a smaller frontal area and second, all protruding objects are reduced. Covers are put on the wheels and some hybrids have small cameras in place of mirrors.
About The Author
Jackson Porter is a staff writer at http://www.environmental-central.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.automobileenthusiast.com.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Future of Hybrid Cars by Albert Tay

There are many design concepts being considered for maximum public exposure and benefits on the drawing board of car designers today that look to the future hybrid car needs and considerations that will serve the public well in the course of the next century. Many of these hybrid car designers are taking past and proven sales performers and have begun reworking their designs from the ground up.



Instead of a front wheel drive platform, there are automobile designers that are building on a rear platform design for one of the nation's best selling and widely recognized car frames in America and worldwide. The hybrid car designs of the future are including sports car models that have been all-time favorites with the world in the past and are now being revived with the brand new hybrid engine in mind.



There is an aggressive training program in place at one of Americas largest car manufacturing companies that is preparing their technicians to repair the growing styles and variations of hybrid cars that are emerging onto the automobile market.


With the extreme difference in battery features and dramatic variance in voltage levels, there is a void that needs to be filled by someone who is equipped with the necessary battery cabling devices that can handle 270 volts instead of the normal 12 volt battery systems. Regular car technicians are typically capable of handling battery recharging requirements, but with the futuristic applications that are applied in hybrid battery design, the best service these car technicians can provide at present is that they can still provide oil changes and tire rotations should the need arise.


With a mindset of grasping and expanding the propulsion features that are somewhat limited in today's hybrid car designs, there are retro styling efforts that are focusing on providing hybrid cars with optional V8 engine capacities.


There are considerations in place to use solar cells in the framework of hybrid automobiles. The electrical power will be produced through the boot lids and bonnet placement of these solar cell modules. Through the use of solar cells it will then be possible to utilize the battery charging capabilities when the car is not turned on or in motion to replenish batteries that have been depleted through the use of air conditioning or through continuous operation when the hybrid automobile is delayed in traffic jams at different times of the day. This lightweight body structure design would benefit the energy savings to the consumer and make the car more manageable on the highway.



There is an effort in hybrid car design that is turning the out of the ordinary hybrid vehicle into a replica of what is parked in the driveway every day of our life. This blending in effect is meant to bring the hybrid full circle into the acceptable graces of the American public.


The future hybrid car will need to focus more on greenhouse gases that negatively effect the environment as well as a hybrid car that will be even more fuel efficient. Without these changes, the production and sales of any type of vehicle will not be possible due to the degradation of our atmosphere.


There are many views about hybrid cars in the futures that will change its fuel source from the heavy duty batteries in use today, to hydrogen-power fuel cell. This will take away the need for hybrid cars to have to use gasoline completely in order to transverse down the major highways.


p.s. More quality information on hybrid car can be found at hybridcars.simpleusermanual.com/



p.s.s. Come and witness My Success Roadmap after quitting my 10 years MNC job =>http://www.thisisjusta.com



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Albert_Tay
http://EzineArticles.com/


Benefits of Using a Hybrid Car 2007 By Arindam Chattopadhyaya

Natural resources in the world are becoming more and more scarce and now we are having to find ways that we can conserve the natural resources and use other methods to meet our needs. Often we put various resources together to get one thing and often this is known as creating a hybrid.


Many times plants are put together to create a hybrid crop that is better than other crops and that can withstand more weather and pest problems. The creation of hybrids can help make sure that there is plenty of food to go round in the world today. Animals are also bred together to create hybrids that are healthy and hearty as well.


In today’s world, transportation is changing since gas prices have soared and environmental changes have occurred. A new car that is being used is a hybrid car, which uses two types of power to make driving more beneficial.


One type or power that is used in a hybrid car is battery power. Batteries are placed in a hybrid car and they can be recharged. While these batteries are a bit like other automobile batteries, they have many differences as well. Most cars only use the battery in the car to get the engine started. The battery produces enough energy to get the engine to start and then helps to operate various powered options throughout the vehicle such as power locks and radio features. Even if the car is not running at the time you can use the electric features of your car. The charge of the battery is kept fresh by the alternator that is located in the car as well.


A hybrid car has batteries that are very different than those in regular automobiles. At first the hybrid batteries were very large and cumbersome, but now they are lighter and smaller. Nickel-Metal-Hydride is what these batteries are made of and this allows them to be light weight and to hold a great deal of power. A hybrid car also has a combustion engine and it works with the battery to give the car the power that it needs. You can use the electric batter to power the car by itself or you can use the engine and the battery together in the hybrid car.


Since a hybrid car does have a combustion engine you still have to use gasoline, diesel fuel, or other types of fuel to operate the engine. Using the hybrid car leads to a variety of benefits since the electricity and fuel options can be used together. This car is so efficient that you can get over 60 miles per gallon. The hybrid car also preserves energy by shutting off instead of idling and by using only the electric when it is going slow. This type of car is also better for the environment since is puts out much less emissions than a normal vehicle usually does.


Are you looking for some guide lines to buy a new hybris car?


Helpful Information for buying a new hybrid car


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arindam_Chattopadhyaya
http://EzineArticles.com/

What is a Hybrid Car By Michael Doherty





A hybrid car, by definition, is any car with multiple power sources. In most cases, there are only two power sources, but there can be more. A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) comes about when an internal combustion engine (ICE) is mated with an electric power source (generator/motor) to move the car along. But there are other possibilities, including a fuel cell coupled with an electric motor, or a fuel cell mated to a gas engine, or you name it. For the most part, though, HEVs have become synonymous with the term hybrid.

Hybrid Car Features
Hybrid cars tend to come with several things. Regenerative braking helps restore power to the large battery packs necessary for the electric motor (more on that later). Some people claim that the regenerative braking makes the braking feel different.

Also, HEVs tend to shut down the gas engine when the car is stopped. Which means you won't hear the engine start when you turn the key (or push the button, or whatever starts your car up). Also, it can be disconcerting for some people to come to a stop sign and have the engine turn itself off. But, as soon as you start up, or when you attain a certain speed, the gas engine will turn itself back on again.



It's this stop-start feature, or in full hybrids the low speed electric motor only mode, that gives hybrid cars those strange EPA fuel economy ratings. For most ICE cars, the city mpg rating is lower than what the EPA rates the car for on the highway. In hybrids, it's reversed. This causes some people to argue that hybrids are best if you are going to do a lot of city driving. (Read more about the new EPA ratings and how they affect hybrid cars).



Benefits of Hybrid Cars
But why build a hybrid car in the first place? For an answer, check out this previous post on the pros and cons of hybrid cars. I'll summarize the benefits here.



The electric engine allows the gas engine to shut off when the car is stopped. That means you're not wasting gas when you're not moving. Also, electric engines are better suited for low speed engines, while gas engines are better suited for high speed situations. Hybrids allow you to optimize these operations. Fuel economy is higher (one of the more obvious benefits), but you also tend to pollute less. Pollution levels depend on the hybrid car, though, so be warned.



Mating the Two Engines in a Hybrid Car
The mating process between the two engines can be in series or in parallel. When the two powertrains are mated in series, only one of the motors controls the cars movement. The other one simply assists the first, dominant engine. This occurs most often in mild or assist hybrids. The Saturn Vue Green Line Belt Alternator System (BAS) is a good example. The concept vehicle named the Volt from GM is another good example of a series (but not a mild) hybrid.



When the hybrid engine is in parallel, both engines can propel the car alone or together. A good example would be Toyotas' Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD). Capable of being propelled at low speeds by the electric motor, the gas engine takes over at higher speeds. This allows both engines to perform in their optimal situation.



Hybrid engines tend to be symbiotic. The gas engine powers the car and the electric motor by powering up the battery. Regenerative braking helps power up the battery pack, which powers the electric motor. The electric motor assists the gas engine or moves the car by itself. It's all quite complicated, but fun to watch happen in the nice graphical screens Toyota gives you in their hybrid cars.



Battery Packs in Hybrid Cars
Obviously, ICE are powered by the gasoline you buy when you fill up at a gas station. The electric motor/generator is powered by a large (and by large, I mean large and heavy) battery pack. Most hybrids on the road today have large Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery packs somewhere near the trunk, or under the seats. (Read about the Lexus Hybrid battery pack).



Most automakers would like to see Lithium-Ion battery packs (you probably have a Li-Ion battery in your cell phone) which can store more energy. But as of right now, they are still too volatile/unreliable when placed in large packs for major carmakers to use. But that should be changing in the next few years. Both GM (with their Plug-In Saturn Vue) and Toyota (next generation Prius/ Hybrid Systems) believe the next generation of hybrids will come with Li-Ion battery packs.



These large battery packs take up a lot of room and are pretty heavy, which adversely affects the fuel economy and the storage space in most hybrid cars. These batteries get their power from regenerative braking and/or from the gas engine. Also, they are very expensive, costing thousands of dollars to replace. Which is why they are guaranteed for the life of the car (read you warranty, some states make automakers guarantee the battery for 100,000 miles).



There are some concerns when it comes to these high powered batteries and how good they are for the environment. But all hybrid batteries are set to be recycled (Toyota has a $200 bounty on each battery pack), and so unlike some lead batteries from conventional cars, they shouldn't end up in landfills.



Plug-In Hybrid Cars
Some groups are advocating the concept of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Plug-ins are capable of recharging the large battery packs by plugging into wall outlets. This brings together the best of two worlds (all electric and all gas engines). By plugging in at night, you get much higher fuel efficiency (on the order of 2 to 3 times what you get with current generation hybrids), because you are able to drive farther on the electric motor alone.



But, plugging in requires larger battery packs, which means Lithium-Ion, which isn't quite ready. Also, some claim that switching the pollution affects from gas engines to power plants isn't going to help much. Advocates claim it's easier to regulate the power companies.



The future of hybrid cars
In the past few years, hybrid car sales have taken off. Despite being only 1.5% percentage of the overall car sales market, hybrid car sales are still seeing phenomenal growth (a 28% increase over last year).



More discounts on hybrid cars are already being seen. The reasons I see for this are 1) federal tax credits are lapsing, 2) production costs are coming down, 3) there's more competition, 4) sales goals are still high, and getting higher, and 5) inventory is up.



Used hybrid car prices should start dropping. While they are still high, they are not as high as they used to be. Consumers don't have to wait three to six months to buy a new hybrid, so they won't be as willing to pay new car prices for a used hybrid car.



Tax credits from the federal government are starting to lapse.
Toyota/Lexus, which sold about three out of every four hybrid cars last year, has already had it happen. Anyone who buys a Toyota hybrid car today is only eligible for half of what they could of gotten six months ago. As of March 1st, that is going to be cut in half again. Then, in September, it will be gone. Honda will hit the 60,000 car limit sometime this year, which means consumers of hybrids from Honda will start losing their tax credit at the beginning of next year.



Michael Doherty writes about hybrid cars at http://hybridreview.blogspot.com. Get the latest news and reviews at Hybrid Car Review.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Doherty
http://EzineArticles.com