Best Hybrid Car

Hybrid Car Market Hyper-Hysteria

2008-05-22T02:19:00.000-07:00

We have all heard a lot about hybrid cars lately and with gasoline prices between two dollars and three dollars per gallon we are reading many articles in the newspapers, magazines and industry trade journals too, but where are all these hybrids we have been promised? There were only 12 hybrid models on the market in 2005 - 2006.

It appears that there are now some 52 models in the works and slated for 2012 as our research indicates. There is significant demand, but still the price point is off over $15,000 over reality for the average new car buyer.

More and more Americans are considering buying a hybrid car, in fact when surveyed 33% of all Americans say they would consider buying a highbred for their next car. Since the average person buys a car every three to four years that means if there were more hybrids available to buy that we would see a whole lot more on the road, but production is not keeping up.

The problem is; is that very few of the cars being built today are hybrids and part of the reason is that they cost more to build. In fact the percentage of hybrids to regular models was less than 1% of the 17 million cars built in 2005 and 2006.

Why are people interested in buying hybrid cars? Well when asked nearly all of them said their number one reason was to improve fuel economy. And only a few really were considering their number one reason was the fact that it would help the environment.

L. Winslow is an Automotive, Environmental and Economic Advisor to the Online Think Tank, a Futurist and retired entreprenuer. Currently he is planning a bicycle ride across the US to raise money for charity and is sponsored by http://www.Calling-Plans.com and all the proceeds will go to various charities who sign up.

Federal Tax Credit For Hybrid Cars

2008-05-21T04:01:00.000-07:00

One of the big incentives to buying a hybrid is the Federal Tax Credit that rewards you for your 'green efforts.' The reason why the Federal government suddenly became so generous is because of the higher prices that hybrid buyers were faced with. This meant that far fewer cars would be sold.

And since the U.S. hybrid car program was started by the Federal government to begin with, they have an obligation to the American public!

Especially since our Japanese friends out-engineered us shortly after President Clinton commissioned the hybrid-electric car program back in 1993. Japan's total domination of hybrid car technology resulted in the complete withdrawal of U.S. auto manufacturers from the hybrid car program by 2001. Because by this time, the Toyota Prius was everywhere, with Honda not far behind.

Where was the U.S? Ford and a couple other Detroit automakers were quietly making deals with Toyota to license their technology. It's no secret that the U.S. has been playing "catch up" to Japan in nearly all automotive technologies for many years. And hybrid technology is definitely no exception.

Anyway, the Federal tax incentive program is a pretty good deal, and it's written to reward those good folks who elect to go for the really "good" hybrids. That is, the hybrids that substantially improve on their gasoline-only counterparts. The bigger the gas savings, the bigger the tax credit.

Here's how it works:

Every person who bought a hybrid vehicle after JAN 1st, 2006 is eligible for a tax credit up to a max of $3400, based on how the particular vehicle that he bought compares to the average car of its class and weight from 2002. Specifically, buyers will receive a $400 tax credit for every 25% improvement in efficiency.

In addition, you may be credited more money (to a max of $3400) based on how much fuel the government anticipates you will save based on the size and weight of the car.

But, there is a catch:

This credit is given to only the first 60,000 vehicles sold by each different manufacturer. Some--like Ford, for instance, don't even plan on making 60,000 hybrids through half of 2007. So each and every person who buys a Ford hybrid will get the credit.

Toyota, however, is a whole other story: They'll blow through their 60,000 quota in no time flat, leaving the remaining buyers federal tax credit-less. But then again, the Toyota Prius gets so much better gas mileage than most of Ford's larger hybrids that Ford's buyers don't stand to get anywhere near the max $3400 tax credit anyway.

The hybrid tax credit system is likely to change in the not-too-distant future, though. Hopefully, it will cover everyone until everyone is driving a hybrid!

Charles Brown is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Hybrid-Electric-Car.net. You will find more information on the federal tax credit for hybrid cars on his website.

Hybrid Cars - Fast Becoming The People's Choice

2008-05-20T04:35:00.000-07:00

Buying a new car is a big and pricey decision for most people, and on top of that, the ever rising oil prices make it an even more expensive proposition to maintain and run your own car. With unstable oil prices, which keep shifting with the war, the gold, politics or the rains, it is not strange that the market is eager to be offered more fuel-efficient cars. As if this is not enough, our conscience is now being totally badgered day in and day out, by the awareness that the large scale use of fossil fuels like gasoline, oil etc. is making the environment go kaput. Throwing away the gasoline powered engines would perhaps be easy on our scruples. But is the answer so simple?

Rising out of the need, to find an answer to this question mark and for a solution to the looming oil crisis is a new breed of cars, which combines the best features of electric cars with that of the conventional gasoline, powered ones. These types of cars are called hybrid cars, and you are likely to hear a great deal about them in the near future.

More than Just an Electric Car

At the first go, the electric car sounds like a great idea since it has no emissions while it runs. However, this is only partially true as the total emissions depend on how the electricity to be used is produced. If it comes from a coal plant for example, it isn't very clean after all said and done. Furthermore, the storage of large amounts of electricity is problematic at best and in practice, turns electric cars to pure bred city cars-at least with the ways we currently store electricity.

Hybrid cars merge an electric engine with a gasoline powered one. It means that although the use of gasoline can not be abridged to completely zero levels, it can still be greatly reduced. The twin engines also allow for smaller engines to be used and take advantage of things like regenerative breaking. Also, as a direct result of the need to reduce the energy needed to run them, the hybrid cars are extremely lightweight and aerodynamically well designed. In slow traffic, the conventional engine automatically shuts off, producing no emissions whatsoever. When more speed and power is needed, the conventional engine is allowed to seamlessly kick in partially or fully.

Hybrid cars are here to stay because it protects environment

In this domain, the Japanese have taken the lead by developing attractive looking hybrid vehicles, such as the hybrid powered Honda Accord and Toyota Prius. Contrary to what one might hear, these cars have got on very well in the market as the idea of saving on gas is clearly appealing to many people. Most well established North American manufacturers are also expected to jump on the bandwagon of this new idea very soon. Those who have already launched hybrid-powered version of some of their models include- Ford, Chevrolet and Mercury.

As this is a rapidly growing market, many of these cars can be expected to appear more commonly at local car dealers. Because this is considered an innovative technology, one can expect the initial prices to be on the higher side. But then again, a hybrid car will mean considerable savings on gas expenses. No doubt, the competition will be quite severe so it will be fascinating to see how the pricing of these cars develops during the next few years.

The best thing for Mother Nature would be to wipe gas fumes out of the picture completely; and bringing us a step closer to this are the hybrid cars. They represent one of the best alternatives for automobile purchase right now- combining the cleanliness of the electric engine with the mileage of a conventional combustion engine. Rather than the eccentric, they represent innovation; rather than the anarchic, they signal revolution. Hybrid cars are here now- and here to stay.

Visit Hybrid Vehicle to know why it an Alternative To Conventional Gasoline And Electric Cars http://www.hybridcarinformation.info/hybrid_vehicle.php http://www.hybridcarinformation.info/electric_vehicles.php

Save the Environment - Buy a Hybrid Car & Save Money as Well

2008-05-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

For most of us these days there's so much publicity & news coverage over the Green House Effect that maybe you?ve been thinking about how much your car contributes to this and wish to help the environment. Or maybe you are sick and tired of paying high gas prices and want to buy a car that is better on gas. Whether you want to help the environment, or want to cut down on how much you spend on gas, the hybrid car is a great solution.

What is hybrid car?

Hybrid cars are autos that run efficiently on both fuel (normally gasoline) and electric energy. The combination of using fuel and electric energy makes hybrid cars both environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient.

The vast majority of hybrid cars are powered by two different engines: a gasoline engine and an electric engine. The gasoline engine is responsible for starting and stopping the car, while the electric engine is responsible for actually making the car move. By using the two engines in this way, the car is not totally dependent on gasoline. This, in turn, cuts down on the environmental pollution & the amount & therefore cost of gas used.

Types of Hybrid cars

If you've done research on hybrid cars on the Internet, you've probably seen that there are two types of hybrid cars currently available. These are the Series hybrid car and the Parallels hybrid car. There are slight differences between the two types of hybrid cars, which we will go over here.

With the Series type of hybrid car, the gasoline engine is used to start and stop the car. Then, when the car reaches a specific speed, the electric engine automatically takes over. Also, in the Series type of hybrid car, the gas engine is used to charge the batteries of the electric engine. With the Series type of hybrid car, both engines never really work together as a team.

The Parallel hybrid, just like the Series hybrid, uses both a gas and electric engine. Even though the Parallel and Series hybrids are similarly configured physically, they are distinctively different in terms of operation. The big difference is that, in the Parallel hybrid, both the gasoline and electric engines can be used to start and stop the car. The other difference is that the electric engine in a Parallel hybrid is only used to boost the power of the vehicle when needed. Parallel hybrid cars are more fuel efficient than are the Series hybrid cars.

How does the hybrid car increase fuel efficiency?

Hybrid cars are made up of lightweight materials. Thus, the load on the hybrid car is greatly reduced. Because of the lightweight materials, the car doesn?t require as much fuel to move. Also, the tires of hybrid cars are firmer than are those found on regular cars.

Since the gasoline is burnt at a low level in hybrid cars, it produces lower toxic emissions than those produced by conventional vehicles. Green house emissions, as we previously mentioned, are a real threat to the environment. Hybrid vehicles, because they release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, cause far less pollution than regular cars do. In fact, some studies have shown that hybrid cars can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by as much as fifty percent, and tailpipe emissions by as much as ninety percent.

To sum up, hybrid cars are much more economical because they consume fifty to sixty percent less fuel than regular vehicles do. Also, they are very environmentally-friendly. The only drawback to hybrid cars is that currently they tend to be a bit more expensive than traditional cars to initially purchase.. However, this will change over time because more people will purchase hybrid vehicles due to the benefits and the pressures placed upon Governments to reduce pollution.

Toby Russell & his information website http://www.hybridcarlatest.com gives information, news and views for all those interested in the Hybrid Car Market.

Advantages of a Hybrid Car

2008-05-17T00:30:00.000-07:00

With a proper introduction to the operation of a hybrid car automobile and an explanation of the energy saving benefits that can be enjoyed through car ownership, the advantages of hybrid car operations will be realized and ultimately understood. Thus, before buying a car, a hybrid car especially, it is important to discuss and find out more about the many nice advantages of Hybrid car performance with friends and family.

The hybrid version of automobiles offers the customer an interesting assortment of engine features that are supplemented with power options through the use of electrical motor and battery participation. These engine features are not available in every hybrid automobile currently being sold at automobile dealerships or through private sales in society today. The hybrid engines are equipped with gas powered, or dual powered engines, as well as an electrical motor that renders power support when needed. There is a heavy duty battery that serves as a source of power as well.

Within the hybrid breed of automobile engine varieties, there is a mild hybrid category and a full hybrid category. While each of these categories contain the same equipment, the performance of that installed equipment can cause your automobile to operate on entirely different principles. The mild hybrid category consists of a gas powered automobile engine that serves as the propulsion mechanism to move your automobile down the street.

Paired with this gas powered automobile engine is an electrical motor, as well as a heavy duty battery that are snuggly connected throughout the engine maze of pipes and mechanisms that when energized can provide propulsion to move your automobile forward. The hybrid car engine is the only source of propulsion power in the mild hybrid engine model, and the electrical motor remains in standby mode to provide spurts of energy and power to aid the gas powered engine in passing vehicles on a highway or wherever else a sudden surge of power will be of benefit.

The full hybrid category consists of a gas powered automobile engine that is considered the propulsion mechanism as well as an energy saving device. An electrical motor and a heavy duty battery are also part of this full hybrid engine power force. The gas powered engine works hand in hand with the electrical motor to provide the necessary boosts of energy to cause the car to propel through traffic. When the car is stopped at a traffic light, the gas powered engine will cease to operate, and the electrical motor will take over in providing propulsion power for the car to move from the site. Once the car achieves a good level of speed, the gas powered engine in the hybrid car will automatically engage and cause the car to continue down the street under gas engine power. The heavy duty battery is continually charged by the electrical motor at the same time.

The energy savings are accumulated during the different stops and starts that the vehicle might experience as the automobile moves toward its destination. Whenever the gas powered engine is not engaged there is a cost savings realized in its lax state of operation. The hybrid motor is quite capable of consuming energy and generating the right amount of power at the same time. These moments of non-engagement will save the consumer money in gas cost every time the automobile is driven down the road.

In conclusion, there exist more logical advantages of owning a hybrid car which is an unstoppable growing trend and unconfrontational facts.

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Best Hybrid Car

2008-05-16T02:01:00.001-07:00

It would be easy to figure out which of the current automobiles today were ranked with the best energy efficiency ratings in gasoline powered car engines, model design, and those rated with the best safety features per car class. There is a wide opinion spread of rankings that can be provided by most major automobile manufacturers' reviews.

It would probably be difficult, if not impossible to find same rankings for the dual-powered hybrid automobile that is emerging like gangbusters on the automobile market today. It would also be near impossible to figure out which of these models would be considered or ranked as the best hybrid car available on the market today because with the energy saving features that save people money at the gas pumps, all of these hybrid car models are a winner.

The best hybrid car would provide versatility and style to the consumer. With mild hybrid and full hybrid car models available, there is a good selection of features that consumers can choose that will meet their individual driving needs and styles. Some of these hybrid car varieties have the capability of driving from a dead start on electrical power, while others require the gas powered motor feature to engage first to perform this part of the drive train operation.

There are three components in all of the hybrid cars that are manufactured today. To be considered a hybrid car, the automobile must have a gas powered automobile engine, an electrical motor and a car battery or battery pack underneath the hood. The manner that these components work together or singularly to move your car further down the highway depend greatly on the type of hybrid it is. The best hybrid vehicle would be one that used all three, but if that is not typical of your driving style, you will receive better fuel usage through the mild hybrid style which would render the car more economical.

The ease in use would also qualify a hybrid car into being considered one of the best on the market today. The keyless operation option is a highly valued feature that most consumers would prefer not to do without. These hybrid automobiles do not have a regular ignition switch, but feature state-of-the art technology in a push button ignition switch. All hybrid cars that have this feature built into their consoles will definitely be considered on the best hybrid automobile list that anyone creates.

Another feature that would be hard to vote on, in this best hybrid dual-powered car list would be the hybrids that give you a touch screen with interactive displays that give you a realm of information at your fingertips. The energy efficient power cars give multi-dimensional information across the console of the automobile, where you can tell at a glance what the climate control temperature is, or the radio settings are.

The simplistic pampering that these hybrid cars offer can give car owners back the control that they have in their cars. Drivers can now stay informed on the flow of power that goes through the electrical components and can now tell when this flow is affecting fuel consumption. With so many modes of operation to keep you informed and entertained, the hybrid automobile is hard to separate if you are trying to identify which one of the many manufactured brands are the best car in its class.

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Top 3 Hybrid Cars on the Road

2008-05-13T02:10:00.000-07:00

Most of us rely on our cars to get us from A to B, but the fuel to mark these cars run are constantly changing and even if the petrol/gasoline goes up by just a few pence or cents a litre it makes all the difference as families live on a very small budget and the slightest change to this budget makes it so hard for a family to survive, but that does not matter to our governments as they still do not mind taxing the fuel high, especially in Britain

There has not been much of an alternative and we have all had to endure the huge price increases, but for the past for years there has been a small light at the end of the tunnel in the form of Hybrid Cars which use both Petrol/Gasoline Engines and they work in conjunction with an electric motor, so when you are at a stop or you pull of slowly the electric motor is doing all the work then once you are at a certain speed then the petrol/gasoline engine kicks in, but many people have already wrote about this which is nothing new

But what many of do not know is what are the best hybrid vehicles on the market as more and more car manufactures jump on the band wagon, when I say to you what are the best hybrids at the moment I mean in terms of what gives you the best fuel efficiency so how many MPG Well the car that is taking up the number one spot has always been the Toyota Prius and has helped Toyota get so big in America, all you have to do is look at the figures to see why the Pirus is the number one, 60 MPG in the City and 51 MPG on the motorway/highway Number two has to go to the Honda Civic where you are able to achieve around 49 MPG in the city and 51 MPG on the motorway/highway

And third is also taken up by a Toyota but this time the Camry Hybrid which will give you 40MPG in the city and 8 MPG on the run

The only problem that the Hybrid car has at the moment is the performance, do not expect it to be super quick, but I am sure as time goes on the technology inside will just keep getting better and better, but on the plus side second hand values of the hybrid car do not fall as much as a petrol/ gasoline version of the same model which is another way to save money as well

If you want to know more about Hybrid Vehicles, how they work, the latest information and all the latest news then visit http://www.hybridcars.org.uk

Future of Hybrid Cars

2008-05-12T01:28:00.000-07:00

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/.

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Benefits of Using a Hybrid Car in 2007

2008-05-10T00:23:00.000-07:00

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.

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Helpful Information for buying a new hybrid car

Your Guide to Tax Breaks for Hybrid Car Owners

2008-05-08T03:49:00.000-07:00

Encouragement to drive a Hybrid

The U.S. government has begun to offer tax breaks to those who purchase hybrid cars and trucks. Naturally this is being done to encourage people to buy the slightly more expensive vehicles, and to cut down on the U.S. foreign oil dependency. Not every car, however, qualifies for these tax deductions. Thus, it is a good idea to check with your local tax department before purchasing a hybrid to ensure that it will qualify for the deduction.

The value of the tax break for a hybrid car depends on the make, model and year of the car. Hybrid cars made before 2006 do not qualify for the tax break. If you decide on a particular make and model of a hybrid car, be sure to check with your local department of taxation to see how much of a tax break you'll get.

Meeting the right standards

In order to qualify for tax deductions, the hybrid car purchased must meet certain standards. Once again, you must check with your local tax department to find out the particular requirements in your state.

Some standards for hybrid cars to qualify for a tax deduction include averaging at least 45 miles per gallon and complying with ATPZEV emission standards. Only some models actually meet the 45 mpg standard. These include the Civic Hybrid, Prius, and Insight CVT.

Hybrid cars such as the Ford Escape, Honda Accord, and Lexus RX 400h do not qualify for the U.S. tax deduction because they don't fit miles per gallon criteria .(However the Honda Civic, Toyota Prius, and Honda Insight CVT do). They also do not currently comply with the ATPZEV emission standards. This further hurts their chances of qualifying for the U.S. tax break. So Choice of make & model is essential to qualify.

How much will I get?

So how does this all apply to you? Well, it depends on where you live. For instance, if you live in Colorado, you'll be eligible for a hybrid tax credit of up to $4713. You get this credit once only, in the year of purchase (so if you purchase a car in 2007, you'll get a tax credit that same year).

The value of your tax credit depends on the emissions of the car and the miles per gallon the car gives.. If it gets 40 or more MPG and emits very little pollutants, you can expect 100% of the credit. If it only meets one of the state standards, you'll get 50% of the tax break. In either case, you will get a tax credit.

But what if your car is ultra low emission? Well, then you'll get 75% of the full tax credit. If the hybrid car is super ultra low emission, you'll be able to get 85% of the maximum tax credit. This means that if the max U.S. tax credit is $4,000, you?ll get a $3,400 deduction.

As has been mentioned earlier you must check with your state department to determine how much of a hybrid car tax break you?ll be eligible for.

More Affordable

Hybrids were once out of reach for most people. However, these tax breaks now make hybrids more affordable for everyone.

Toby Russell owns and operates an information site called http://www.hybridcarlatest.com offerings tips, advice, news and information on all aspects of the hybrid car market.

History of Hybrid Cars

2008-05-07T02:12:00.000-07:00

In 1905, the application for a patent for a hybrid gasoline and electric motor power train brought the hybrid technology motors into existence. At that time the energy saving features were not the main focal point of this dual power model but, nonetheless, the history of hybrid car technology had been born. This application dealt with supplementing a gasoline power engine to the point that it would have an increase in speed to go from zero to twenty-five miles an hour in ten seconds. Unfortunately, by the time the patent was approved three years later, car speeds had already reached this acceleration speed.

There were quite a few people interested in hybrid technology, and some were long before the application for this particular patent was submitted. There were some inventors that realized the effect that hybrid technology could give electric running automobiles an added speed boost if they were combined with the horsepower that was afforded through the use of gasoline engines. The difference in these speeds jumped an amazing 15 miles per hour. The history of hybrid car products on the highway was just emerging to the forefront of American minds during this time.

There were hybrid trucks being built as early as 1918. Consumers chose speed over gas savings in 1914, when a company developed a hybrid that would offer an astounding 70 miles to each gallon of gas, an amount that is available in some models being offered now in the year 2007. It was the top speed of 30 miles an hour that changed consumers mind to pursue models that were a bit quicker.

The health effects that were caused by internal combustion engines were noted by health officials in the late 1960's. In 1966, the United States Congress recognized the need to reduce air pollution and recommended bills that led to interest in the production of electric vehicles. The first car manufacturer to jump on the band wagon to perform research and develop these electric cars.

Further development interests led to the production of an advanced battery that would allow the electric vehicles the opportunity to be suitable for highway use. Experimentation was done to enhance the number of charges these batteries could take to prolong their time on the roadways. The concentration on developing hybrid automobiles had reached a worldwide effort by the time the oil embargos were affecting the prices of fuels around the world.

With the effects of pollution becoming worse in large cities, countries such as Germany and Japan took the production levels of the hybrid car center stage, with developments by Volkswagen and Toyota featuring prototype hybrid taxis and engines. The state of California was the first government to require a certain percentage of sales be automobiles that met the new Zero Emission Vehicle policies. This made the advancement of hybrid automobiles more prevalent in our society. Toyota was the first company to offer hybrid automobiles for sale to the public in December 1997. It was marketed solely to Japanese people.

For hybrid car sales in the United States, Honda was the first to offer a two-seated hybrid car in year 2000 and further expanded the offering of hybrid vehicles to the United States only two months later with a compact car model, the Prius. The classic style of the ever popular gas saving model, Civic, was then offered in hybrid car form in 2002 and received great reviews.

Other automakers followed suit, with Ford offering the Escape Hybrid in 2004. This was also the first hybrid that had a sports utility vehicle feature. The production of the hybrid car will continue, as popularity intensifies, and the American public will relish in the tax saving and economical features that the hybrid automobile brings to the benefit of the American people.

In conclusion, hybrid cars will be the next alternative to fuel vehicle. The trend is spreading, not only in American, but worldwide. Asia countries, such as Japan, Korea and Singapore owners of hybrid cars are enjoying tax relief from switching to hybrid motor. It is inevitable that fuel motor cars model will be going down to history and hybrid cars is making a history.

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Increasing Demand for Hybrid Car

2008-05-06T03:10:00.000-07:00

Environment consciousness has been growing in the public and this is what a recent survey shows. PULS, a German-based trend and market researcher conducted an online survey so as to find out what the public?s preference in car is.

They have polled more than 3,500 people who have either recently bought a car or is planning to buy one in the near future. They have conducted the survey in the different countries - United States, Germany, France, Great Britain, India, and China. The result shows that a large number of their respondents would go for hybrid vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles over gasoline or diesel powered units.

The survey shows 42.7 percent of the respondents will opt for a hybrid car and further said that hybrid vehicles are the cars of the future. The hybrid car got the most votes from the US where the Toyota Prius is already making waves in the market and significantly increasing its buyer base. 50.9 percent of respondents from the United States said that they will go for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) over any other kind of vehicle. Meanwhile, 46.9 percent of French respondents also said that they would opt for a hybrid vehicle. The further improvement in the Toyota Prius and the development of Honda of their hybrid car will definitely increase the interest of the public in such vehicles.

Taking the second place in the online survey is vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell technology for 41.9 percent of the respondents chose it. This alternative form of fuel used in vehicles has received much of the votes from China where more than half of the respondents see a future where hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles will be the ones to rule the roads. India?s public also found these hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles the way to go in the future. The result of the survey on these Asian countries contradicts the common belief that they are satisfied by just using traditional fuel.

Other alternative fuel-powered vehicles that have received much attention are those that use plant derived fuels. 38.1 percent of the respondents think that plant-derived fuels will replace fossil fuel which we are so dependent on today. Great Britain motorists show their strong support to the use of plant derived fuels with 45.6 percent of them giving their nod to these kinds of vehicles. The positive acceptance of respondents in Great Britain may be in fact due to the availability of cars in the European market which are powered by plant derived fuel like bio-ethanol. Bio-ethanol after all can already be used to power vehicles like some models by Volvo with FlexiFuel technology onboard.

Of all the respondents polled by PULS, only 11.5 percent said that the world will still be dependent on gasoline or diesel for our fuel. Overall though, the result of the survey shows how huge the demand for vehicles that will run on alternative fuels or will depend on renewable sources of energy. Indeed, the demand has been growing sharply that if the trend is like a car, the momentum it has would be quite hard to stop and would take only a high performance brake to stop, like an EBC rotor coupled with a high performance caliper. Furthermore, the survey shows the way for car makers to see the direction their consumers would want them to take.

Car manufacturers need to step on the gas to give the public what they want and to sum it up, Dr. Konrad Wessner, owner and general manager of PULS said ?If potential buyers perceive a certain engine type to have a capacity for the future, they will in turn prefer manufacturers who are leaders in their respective field.?

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop. You can visit EBC rotor for more information.

Buying Hybrid Cars-What You Should Be Aware Of

2008-05-06T03:07:00.000-07:00

The hybrid car is an attempt to reduce our dependence on gasoline while at the same time protecting the environment from pollution. The hybrid car combines the use of gasoline with battery power in one car. The extent to which this has been achieved efficiently, is subject to serious debate presently.

There are some very vital things you should be aware of before deciding on purchasing a hybrid car. Having this information at your finger tips will help you make a well informed decision whenever, you finally take the plunge.

1. The price - the price of the hybrid car is the much talked about of all the other things of the hybrid car. With hybrid car prices ranging from $20000 to $40,000 and difference with pure gasoline car being $3,000 to $10,000 no wonder price is the issue with hybrid car. Generally, the decision to buy is predicated on whether it is worthwhile in savings considering the difference in price. In periods of high gas prices significant savings could be made.

2. The battery cost. Hybrid car batteries cost between $2000 and $4000 depending on the manufacturer. Even though the battery is made up of many cells you can't just replace individual cells. The whole battery has to be replaced. This is so because the weak battery cells will drain power from the good ones if individual bad cells are replaced. even though the price of the battery is high it has a longer lifespan than the conventional car battery.

3. The battery life - The life time of a hybrid car is something you should be aware of since the batteries cost a lot. On average the batteries last from up to 7 to 9 years. The Honda, for example, gives a 8 year per 80,000 mile warranty while Toyota gives 8 year per 100,00 mile warranty. so you are covered for some considerable time before you begin to think of renewal of battery. Also, don't forget that the battery could exceed the warranty period. Most manufacturers should cover cost in case of failure during warranty period.

7. Few specialists, parts price are available - There are few specialists presently on the hybrid cars. Parts may not be readily available and the prices of parts could be very high indeed. All this is as a result of the fact that it is a new technology. As more and more people buy hybrid cars there will be more parts available and more specialists would emerge.

8. Price of gas - You may not really see the expected savings if you are using a hybrid car when gasoline price is low. But if there is any cause for gasoline prices to go as high as $4 or $5 per liter you may begin to see some considerable amount of savings because then you should be using the battery powered side of your hybrid.

9. Credit on purchase - You can get tax credit on your federal tax return with the purchase of a hybrid car. This is an incentive by U.S. government to encourage people to patronize hybrid car manufacturers. The general logic is that with more purchase of these cars manufacturers are encouraged to intensify research on these cars as well as use of alternative energies. To know how much credit you can get on the various brands of cars go to the IRS site on hybrid cars

To conclude - If you are looking for prestige, savings on gas in periods of high gas prices and you have the money to buy it, please go ahead and you will be glad you did.

For more timely guide and reviews on the advantages of hybrid cars and vehicles in the market checkout http://www.hybrid-car-site.com

Hybrid Car's Poses Threat to Safety of Blind Persons

2008-05-05T01:06:00.000-07:00

In the recent American International Automobile Dealers Association newsletter, they pointed out the threats posed by hybrid cars to blind people. The report stated that crossing the street has become more challenging for those who are visually impaired. This is due to the fact that hybrid electric cars like the Toyota Prius switch to its electric motor during low-speed driving or idling. This feature has endeared the car to some of its users because not only it reduces noise pollution but also reduces the car?s fuel consumption. These cars are efficient on city driving where frequent accelerating and decelerating are required, and the city streets are where most blind persons roam.

In consonance with this, the Wall Street Journal reported that some blind people already had close calls with hybrid vehicles. It is a common knowledge that visually handicapped persons relies on their sense of hearing to navigate busy streets. And since hybrid cars produces almost no sound at all just as silent as an EBC brake rotor when engaged, on low speed driving, blind people will not know if there is a car within the vicinity. This heightened the risk faced by blind people in traversing a city?s walkways. The quietness that hybrid cars may be a strong selling point for the car manufacturer but it poses a constant threat to blind people and this fact should not be ignored.

In response to the increased risk that blind people is now facing with the growing number of hybrid vehicles on our streets, the National Federation of the Blind has been lobbying for car manufacturers to take action with regard to the thereat posed by hybrid cars. The advocacy group stressed out those quiet hybrid vehicles not only poses threat to those people who are blind but for other sighted pedestrians. Cyclists and elderly persons also rely on a car?s sound to determine the position and speed of a vehicle. They also pointed out that while there are still no fatalities or injuries caused by the relative quietness of a hybrid car, the increasing popularity of hybrid cars may soon have a negative impact on the safety of pedestrians.

The National Federation of the Blind proposes to car makers that hybrid cars should at least emit a sound audible to pedestrians who rely on car sounds in navigating a city?s thoroughfare. The Committee on Automobile and Pedestrian Safety under the NFB suggested that a device may be integrated to a hybrid car?s axle which will produce an audible sound as the wheels of a car rotate. They also recommended that a sensor be developed that will warn a blind person if a hybrid car is in the area. These suggestions though are still to be relayed formally to car manufacturers since a meeting between the NFB and representatives of the automotive industry has yet to take place.

The call for action of the NFB has yet to be addressed by the automotive industry. In connection with this, the spokesman for the Alliance of Automotive Manufacturers, Charles Territo said that they are willing to look into the problem. ?We?re interested in hearing about the concerns of the blind community, and we?ll work with them to ensure that they?re addressed?, Territo said. Meanwhile, Bill Kwong, spokesman for Toyota also said that he was not aware of the problem and further said that drivers and pedestrians share the responsibility of watching out for each other. But the NFB pointed out that the Toyota spokesman did overlook the fact that blind pedestrians cannot watch out for hybrid vehicles since they are after all, blind.

Hybrid-Electric Cars

2008-05-03T04:39:00.000-07:00

Hybrid-electric cars got their name because they run on two different power sources--often at the same time. Contrast that with an electric vehicle or a gasoline only vehicle, which run on only one source.

One dictionary definition of the word, "hybrid" is "something of a mixed origin or composition." This pretty much describes hybrid-electric cars, which come from the marriage of two entirely different technologies--electricity and internal combustion.

Hybrid Cars, otherwise known as HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles) or Gas Electric Hybrid Cars, are fast becoming the choice of more and more people. Many folks just want better gas mileage. And some folks not only want better gas mileage, but want to do their part to fight global warming along with fossil fuel dependency and depletion. Now, while that's a noble concern, are their efforts nothing but tree-hugging idealism?

Well, you don't have to be a tree-hugger to appreciate this: Many U.S. citizens are realizing that hybrids are one way to help the U.S. escape the choke-hold that the Middle East has on our economy. But it turns out that other hardcore 'non-tree-huggers' are starting to buy hybrids. Why? For better gas mileage? No, performance. That's right, you read that correctly--performance! Read on, you may be surprised.

1st Generation Hybrids were weak as a kitten and slow as molasses. They had small gasoline-powered engines--often 2-cycle like in lawn & garden equipment--that helped charge hundreds of pounds of lead-acid batteries. This sent power to the electric motor. The electric motor propelled the vehicle. These were called "series" hybrids. The little little gasoline engine's job was to charge the batteries, making the series hybrid more of a pure electric vehicle than not.

They were low on power, cramped, and had a short range. They weren't very practical and it would be unrealistic to think that these early designs would be accepted by the public--especially Americans who are used to going fast and far in their cars.

Now, however, most hybrids are made with a "parallel" setup; they can be propelled by the electric motor alone or the gasoline engine alone or by both working together. With much better battery technology, hybrids are now becoming very practical indeed.

The new hybrid electric cars have been designed to take advantage of the best features of the electric motor in combination with the best features of the gasoline engine. What am I talking about here?

Some of today's "muscle car hybrids" have large gasoline engines--not much smaller than non-hybrid cars. As a matter of fact, some have gas engines up to 200 hp or so. The 2007 Lexus GS Hybrid has a total of 350 hp, with 192 hp coming from the gasoline engine. Yet it gets 32 mpg on the highway and accelerates faster than their big V-8 gasoline-only Lexus!

So no longer do you have to settle for low power to enjoy the benefits of owning a hybrid car.

Charles Brown is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Hybrid-Electric-Car.net. You can find more information on hybrid electric cars and other hybrid car facts on his website.

Hybrid Vehicles Rise To The Top Of The Car Market

2008-05-01T03:10:00.000-07:00

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 collect your free book that will provide you with all the information you'll need to know about hybrid vehicles and electric cars visit: what are hybrid cars. To read more articles about hybrids then go now to: facts about electric and hybrid cars.

Hybrid Cars and the Basics of How They Work

2008-04-10T23:17:00.002-07:00

The auto industry has been abuzz about the developments and introduction of new technologies for as long as it?s been around. The big new of this decade is the introduction of the Hybrid car. It?s not quite the electric machine everyone thought we?d be driving by now, but it?s halfway there and it?s a good solid step in that direction. But what exactly goes on under that slick new hood that makes these cars so special?

The science is a bit stuffy, but the basics are simple enough. It?s not even new technology necessarily. Buses and trains have been running with the help of electricity for years, but now it?s a consumer product, something you and I can go out and pick up from the car lot and drive around town.

Electric cars have a lot of drawbacks. They?re hard to maintain, harder to charge up, and don?t go nearly as far as you?d like, and we all know the drawbacks of the gasoline powered machines we drive around now. The mixture of the two is an attempt to cut back on emissions and gas mileage while not falling victim to the pitfalls of electric cars.

Basically, with a hybrid you?re bypassing the negatives of both sides. You still run your car on gasoline, but now it takes half as much and instead of the gasoline powering your car directly, it powers the batteries and generator that do most of the actual work.

If you brake or release the accelerator, the generator takes and stores energy from the motion in the car?s motor, putting it back in the batteries and recycling it into the all powerful energy that will propel your car forward. It sounds complicated but it?s really a matter of inserting a middle man between gasoline and your car that doesn?t pollute or deplete as you use it.

The fact that you?re still using gasoline is a necessity at this point as it would take a 1000 pound battery to emit as much energy as 1 gallon of gasoline. Gasoline is still an amazing formula capable of storing vast amounts of energy. Until a suitable alternative can be found and refined to the degree needed to operate a motor vehicle in our high powered, quick moving world, the hybrid is the scientific equivalent of a godsend. Our only other alternative is walking, or to start breaking the laws of physics.

Anthony Chatfield writes for Go Hybrid, where you can find information on hybrid cars, hybrid car batteries, and more energy-saving alternatives.

The Advancing Reality of Hybrid Cars and American Automakers

2008-04-10T23:17:00.001-07:00

It?s been ten years since Toyota introduced their first hybrid car, the Prius, to the market for energy and pollution conscious consumers. The model has seen significant success and maintains a steady waiting list for this interested in owning one. The market is booming and yet where is the competition? Honda hopped on with hybrid models of their popular Civic and Accord models, and Nissan is looking to edge their way in as their market share grows world-wide, but the original developers of the automobile, the American Auto Manufacturers, with the exception of a product line equivalent to sticking their toe in the water, have remained rather silent on the issue.

It looks like 2007 will be a step in the right direction though as 10 new hybrid models will release this year alone, six of those from Detroit?s big three automakers. Ford, Mercury, and Saturn each have their single entry in the field. As it stands though the full support and development budgets that the technology really needs to take off have yet to appear.

So, as GM, Ford, and Daimler Chrysler rev up their sales and attempt to take on a Japanese market with a decade?s head start, what can we look forward to in our hybrid vehicles?

The answer is exciting when you stop to think about the amount of development money and time that could really go into the market if these companies realize that there?s money to be made. When the consumers react and a dozen or more different brands hit the market in competition, the need to step up and offer bigger, better models to stay ahead of the curve will breed the kind of technology race that the auto industry hasn?t seen since the 1970s.

Recent reports released by the UN and the global scientific community state that with CO2 output as it currently stands, worldwide temperatures will rise by nearly 6 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. There are still hold outs on the consensus that technologies such as the automobile are causing harm to our planet, but as more and more come to the realization that this is a reality, the corporations will react accordingly. And if the government takes the steps to curb emissions and raise CAFE standards, it?s entirely likely that the industry might start to shift much of their focus to the hybrid car market in an attempt to curb the inevitable downturn in their profits.

Anthony Chatfield writes for Go Hybrid, where you can find information on hybrid cars, hybrid car batteries, and more energy-saving alternatives.

Hybrid Car Buying Options

2008-04-10T23:16:00.000-07:00

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.

Anthony Chatfield writes for Go Hybrid, where you can find information on hybrid cars, hybrid car batteries, and more energy-saving alternatives.

Honda Hybrid Cars - Why So Popular?

2008-03-31T00:08:00.000-07:00

The contemporary car owners and buyers are indeed getting more and more smart as time goes by. That is since there's no shortage of machine models and car brands out in the market right now. Honda hybrid cars are among the most succesful right now.

Each car brand and type is trying to produce the level of backing up and patronage that would sustain for fruitful and lucrative revenues and sales not just right now but also in the future.

The machine buyers have proven more finicky recently. That is since they expect factories to battle the aspects and issues they raise against the current vehicles they own.

Motor vehicle consumers expect future and current motor vehicle models to eliminate the unattractive characteristics and reservations of the contemporary machine types.

Because of this hybrid cars have become the most attractive and craved cars of the new generation.

The mighty car industry Toyota, Ford, General Motors and Honda have all in unison got going in a tight and pressuring contest to become the top hybrid vehicle maker and marketer.

Hybrid cars

When the tight race for hybrid motor cars started years ago, Honda was among the initial few car builders to have genuinely gone up and take the matter seriously.

As time goes by, Honda has formed a patient, devoted and skilful team to bring up research and development efforts for the brands own hybrid cars lines.

The manoeuvre did not fall inadequate. Now, the most contemporary and most in demand hybrid car models are bearing the brand trade mark of Honda.

Honda cars

From nowhere, Japan's Honda has been successful in building its own niche in the worldwide machine industry. Two decades ago, Honda was naught. It was an little known Japanese vehicle brand that appeared to linger on its prototype cars.

But through the years, Honda eventually emerged to win the battle. Its commitment has paid hugely, and now, it is competing directly against fellow Japanese motorcar maker Toyota in the global top spot for car manufacturers.

In the Usa alone, sales of Honda vehicles have continuously been on the rise the past few years, and their brethren, particularly the local based Ford and General Motors, are beginning to conceive the crunch in their very own sales and profits.

Honda hybrid cars have developed to being a threat to rival factories. And it's no coincidence either.

The Honda Civic hybrid

Honda has recently come up with its 2006 Civic Hybrids. This Honda hybrid car can brag with a potential to considerably reduce on gasoline consumption while at the same time enjoying the same old, cherished technical specifications of the common Honda Civic motor cars.

It is understood that hybrid motor cars are somehow mediocre and fall a notch lower evaluated against their conventional competitors, mostly as a result of the reservations arising from the association of electricity and gas combustion inside its engine.

But the Civic hybrid report that it has gotten past that limitation. The Honda Civic hybrid is right now obtainable in the market place at not so reasonable prices.

The Accord hybrid

One of the most accepted Honda hybrid cars is the Accord hybrid vehicle that is nowadays out in the market place and enjoying a enormous and warm clientele from hybrid car fanatics.

Honda report that the hybrid car is zero-emission, but even so, the driver and vehicle buyer will get to experience once more the bliss and feel of driving a satisfactory high-performance motorcar.

This hybrid car prototype by Honda is tagged as the designer's most environmentally friendly. The prices are astronomical, however, only in the higher premium compared to the most luxurious traditional or conventional car model in the market these days.

But do not let this be a hindrance for you to own these hybrid cars. The options and upsides of owning and driving the Honda Civic hybrid for certain might very well outpace or be more substantial than the disadvantages.

Learn more about Honda hybrid cars as well as other information on other hybrid vehicles at Knowmoreabout.net

What is a Hybrid Car?

2008-03-29T01:26:00.000-07:00

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.

Hybrid Cars for Sale on Ebay- Strategies for Buying Low

2008-03-29T01:25:00.000-07:00

Hybrid cars are good for the environment, they save drivers money on ever increasing gasoline, and they are, in many cases, more efficient than full gas powered cars. Sometimes though, these cars just cost too much for the average tree hugger. To help them out, (and more likely themselves) people began placing hybrid electric cars on eBay.

EBay is a great source for cars. You are safe when you buy cars from EBay. You can buy a Porsche 911 2008 Porsche 997 Twin Turbo Cabriolet Wicked-7 GTR-700 for 66k. That may not be a cheap price, but for this amazing car, you will be willing to give up the cash. Also, you can find yourself a brand new Lexus GS GS450H. If you are a Lexus car person you know that this model is hard to find with low miles and other extra accessories. For 57k it is a really good deal. Since its eBay, I?m sure you can lower that price a bit.

Now, here are the really great deals for those who can?t afford the really expensive cars. The Lexus and Porsche were the best of the best. Now take a look at the cars that are just great buys. Since eBay allows you to bid on cars, you can get a car priced at $13,000 for half or less than that. For example, there is a Toyota Prius hybrid with low miles in excellent condition for $17,000 with a bid for only $1,000. Then again, that car still has a week left.

A real deal would be one that has a low bid and no time left. If you are an eBay buyer, you know that people will fight at the last second for things they want so even if there is a day left on an auction and the price is still low, chances are it would increase to much higher levels. What you have to do is research what a car would cost new and used. Then you have to see the ?buy now? prices on all the cars. Finally, check the price of the latest bid+ the number of bids. The more bids a car has the more chance it will have a ton of bids at the end. The perfect car would have half the cost, less than 24 hours left, and less than 5 bids. One such car is a Ford Escape Hybrid 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD. As you can see, there is only one such car like that at the moment. They are not often found but they do exist. Check every day for such cars.

George Christodoulou

Gas is costing you a small fortune annually! Learn how to run your car on water
visit http://run-my-car-on-water.com to learn more and stop being a slave to big oil.

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If you want more information about, Hybrid Cars for Sale on Ebay,
please visit http://electricvehiclesite.com for more information.

How You Can Save Money and Energy With the New Plug-in Electric Hybrid Car

2008-03-28T00:19:00.000-07:00

A new prototype hybrid car was revealed by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Not only does it save on gas, but it can be used to power homes and businesses during blackouts or during hot summer days when energy prices soar.

In addition to reducing energy cost, V2G technology will allow consumers to be able to sell back energy to the utility during the hot summer months when energy demand is the highest. Hybrid vehicle owners may sell energy at the price threshold they select. When the price reaches this point, the utility will automatically take energy from the vehicle. The owner will have enough energy left over for the drive home. Payment to the vehicle's owner can be made in the form of earned credits from the amount of energy used by the utility toward their monthly energy bill.

V2G technology can increase the availability of renewable energy used during peak energy hours. Plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) may charge their batteries at night when energy is inexpensive and is generated with a larger percentage of renewable resources. While electrical utilities usually have to buy power from expensive, less efficient, fossil fuel power generating sources during the day or times of maximum demand. But with PHEVs, utilities may purchase the renewable energy stored in the vehicle batteries.

PG&E demonstrated the first-ever utility Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology at Silicon Valley Leadership Group Alternative Energy Solutions Summit in California. The PHEV, a converted Toyota Prius, featured a 180 pound lithium battery that takes up the bottom of a back trunk where a tire would go. The vehicle produces about 9 kilowatts of electricity while the average house uses about 2.5 kilowatts of electricity on hour.

The PHEVs charge by plugging into a three-prong 110- to 120-volt outlet. Flipping a switch sends the charge to the home from the car, if the home needs energy during a blackout or high energy consumption days.

For the demonstration, the Prius ran several lights and appliances after reversing the flow of energy from the outlet to the vehicle.

The plug-ins, like the traditional hybrid, have both electric motors and batteries as well as a gasoline engine which turns on when the car runs about 20 to 25 miles per hour.

A plug-in hybrid vehicle with its larger battery, uses its gasoline engine less often and gets about 100 miles per gallon. In contrast, a 2007 Toyota Prius reaches about 55 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving.

PG&E officials did not release a timeline of when V2G hybrid cars would be available to the general public. Since the auto industry is not yet increasing production of electric vehicles which require larger batteries, the PHEVs are not likely to be produced before 2012.

What this means to you, is that you will have way to turn your vehicle into a power storage system that will conserve energy and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Nancy Val Verde writes about about hybrids among other topics. You can learn more about hybrids when you visit my blog, Hybrid Technology Reviewed at http://hybrid-technology-reviewed.blogspot.com

Hybrid Car Comparisons For 2007 - Buy A Hybrid Save The Planet?

2008-03-27T01:43:00.001-07:00

For the past couple -three years, there has been much buzz going on about Hybrid Cars and the many benefits they seem to offer. It seems that Hybrid Cars may be the solution to both major problems we face in the United States today when it comes to transportation...

What are those two problems facing the United States when it comes to transportation?

1. Surging Oil Prices

2. Concern about the environment

So, how do you know which hybrid car to buy?

Compare your options and the benefits.

Owning a Hybrid car will offer you many, many benefits.

To name a few hybrid benefits:

Tax breaks by many states and Federal Government
Fuel cost savings - Hybrids use less fuel
Hybrid Cars are better for the environment producing less emissions

For these reasons and the never ending surge of gas pump prices, hybrid cars have experienced a sharp increase in sales.
More and more car manufacturers are joining the hybrid vehicle arena with their own versions. Both the old stand by companies that have been around for ever as well as many new "green car" companies are popping up to enter into the Hybrid Car Revolution. This is wonderful for those of you who are planning to buy a hybrid car, you now have so many choices it's almost unbelievable, that?s why you really need to compare hybrid cars to see which one would fit perfectly with your needs.
In this article we will only compare two of the worlds leading hybrid car manufactures, the Japanese giant's Toyota and Honda.
Toyota and Honda are credited with producing many top innovations of hybrid technology and their hybrid cars are the most popular, most awarded hybrid vehicles on the hybrid market today.
Here, in this article we will compare the hybrid cars they are offering for 2007 year, these will include the Honda Accord Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus GS 450H, Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Toyota Prius.
Their fuel efficiency can be compared through their average consumption per mile in different situations, like; City Driving ? where the traffic is constantly stopping, Highway Driving ? where the engine can freely operate at maximum level and their combined average usage.
Miles Per Gallon and Average Used Per Gallon

Honda Accord Hybrid ? 28 MPG (city), 35 MPG (Highway) and 31 MPG (Combined Average)
Honda Civic - 49 MPG (city), 51 MPG (Highway) and 50 MPG (Combined Average)
Lexus GS 450H - 25 MPG (city), 28 MPG (Highway) and 26 MPG (Combined Average)
Toyota Camry Hybrid - 40 MPG (city), 38 MPG (Highway) and 39 MPG (Combined Average)
Toyota Prius - 60 MPG (city), 51 MPG (Highway) and 55 MPG (Combined Average)

Before you just go out and pick the one with the highest MPG average, you need to consider something else.

Fuel type.

All of these vehicles use regular gasoline except for the Lexus which uses Premium Gasoline that is much pricier per gallon.

You also need to compare the size class of each hybrid car as well as the engine size and liters of the engine.

Accord Hybrid is a midsize car with a 3 liter - 6 cylinder engine.
Civic Hybrid is a compact car with a 1.3 liter ? 4 cylinder engine.
Lexus GS 450H is another compact car with a 3.5 liter ? 6 cylinder engine.
Toyota Camry Hybrid is a midsize sedan equipped with a 2.4 liter ? 4 cylinder engine
Toyota Prius is a compact car with a 1.5 liter ? 4 cylinder engine.

The bigger the car and the more powerful the engine is, the more fuel will be consumed. Considering all these aspects and doing your homework can lead to a fantastic hybrid vehicle purchase.

You have to put all of the considerations on the table when searching for the best hybrid to buy.

So, before you rush right out an get that shiny new hybrid car, compare first and do your homework. Find the one that will suit your needs and fit your personality best and you will be on your way to helping save the environment as well as saving yourself some money on fuel.

Frederick Musser is the owner of e85 Tips. A site dedicated to informing the world about alternative fuels and energy and their many benefits.

For more information on e85 and alternative fuels please visit e85Tips.com

How To Get 100 MPG With Your Hybrid Car

2008-03-27T01:41:00.000-07:00

Getting 100mpg can seem like a pipe dream to many, but this is no longer one of those mythical numbers. It?s already being done, right now, in vehicles you see on the road today.

For some people, getting 100mpg is as simple as getting a Moped. Sure, there?s nothing really magical about a 50cc gasoline engine, but the very lightweight Moped can be great if you live in a city with heavy traffic and a lot of bike lanes (usually a Moped can drive in lanes for bicycles). I have a friend who lives in Boston, and he tells me that his little scooter is the best way to get around town since it can drive on the road like a regular car, and then take bike lanes to get through traffic backups quickly.

But for the rest of us who need an actual car to get somewhere, 100mpg is in a car that can drive on the highway is possible. While they aren?t rolling of production lines, a person with a little know-how and some ingenuity can achieve the mythical 100mpg by starting with a car you can get from your dealer right now ? a Toyota Prius.

For those who like to tinker, and if you live in an area with a lot of sunlight, you might consider installing a solar panels on your rooftop so that while your car is parked while you?re out and about, the electric battery is being recharged. While this isn?t the most efficient way to use solar panels (the roof of your house is a much better place for them), on some trips you may be able to hit 100mpg.

Then there?s what many would consider the more sensible conversion ? taking your current Prius Hybrid and converting it into a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The conversion will run you in the neighborhood of $5,000-$6,000 if you like to do things yourself or you can have a conversion company do it for you for about $10,000-$12,000.

Converting your Prius to a PHEV can help you hit the 100mpg mark when taking your daily commute since you?ll be relying mostly on the electric motors to do all the work. And if you?re taking short trips, the gasoline engine may not need to fire at all, which means you?ve used no gasoline for that trip.

And if you?re feeling flush with cash, you live in Southern California, and you want to say goodbye to gasoline forever, you can get yourself a Tesla Roadster ($95,000). This vehicle is 100% electric, requires no gasoline, can do 0-60mpg in 4 seconds (about what a Porsche 911 Turbo can do), and has a range of over 200 miles. This vehicle gets the equivalent of 135 miles per gallon and costs only 2 cents/mile to drive (even the most fuel efficient non hybrid cars cost at least 8 cents/mile to drive)

Gary Ruplinger is the owner of FuelSavingZone.com. Be sure to get his free report with 61 gas savers. Also, save 5% on all your gas purchases by getting the best gas card on the market.

Hybrid Cars Help Save The Planet

2008-03-25T02:50:00.000-07:00

Buying a new car is spending a considerable amount of money for most people, and with the ever rising oil price it is becoming a more and more expensive affair to own your own car too. With an oil price that works in a way so that a rain in north America raises the price people in Finland pays for gasoline from Russia, it is not strange that the market is eager to be offered more economical cars.

To further complicate matters, we are today well aware that the large scale use of fossil fuel like oil is very bad for the environment. Getting rid of all gasoline powered engines would be great for the environment.

All of the above has resulted in a new breed of cars being rapidly developed. These cars combine the best features of the electric cars with that of conventional, gasoline powered cars. These type of cars are called hybrid cars, and you are likely to hear a lot about them in the very near future.

The electric car revisited

The electric car first sounded like a great idea, since it has no emissions while it runs. However, this is only partially true as the total emissions depends on how the electricity for the electric car is produced - if it comes from a coal plant for example, it isn't very clean at all.

Furthermore, the storage of large amounts of electricity is problematic at best and in practise turns electric cars to pure bread city cars. Storing large ammounts of electricity is unfortunately a rather clumsy affair.

Hybrid cars combine an electric engine with a gasoline powered one, which means the use of gasoline isn't gotten rid of completely but it can be greatly reduced. The dual engines also allow for smaller engines to be used, and they take advantage of things like regenerative breaking.

Naturally the hybrid cars are also extremely lightweight and aerodynamically well designed, all to reduce the energy needed to run them. In slow city traffic the conventional engine is automatically shut of completely, producing no emissions whatsoever. When more speed and power is needed, the conventional engine is allowed to seamlessly kick in partially or fully.

You could own a hybrid car tomorrow

Like much of the car market today, it is the Japanese who have been fastest to develop attractive looking hybrid vehicles, such as the hybrid powered Honda Accord and Toyota Prius. Contrary to what one might believe, these cars have also gotten a warm reception on the market.

The idea of saving on gas is obviously appealing to a lot of people.

Most well established North American manufacturers are also expected to jump on the bandwagon of this lucrative market very soon. Many of them, including Ford, Chevrolet and Mercury have in fact already launched hybrid powered version of some of their models.

Since this is now a phenomenon that all big manufacturers are getting into, you can expect to see many of these cars appearing more commonly at local car dealers. As this is considered cutting edge technology, one can expect the initial prices to be rather high though. But then again, a hybrid car will mean considerable savings on buying gas. As the competition will no doubt be stiff, it will be interesting to see how the pricing of these cars develop during the next few years.

While the best thing for the environment would be to cease using any kinds of fossil fuels, hybrid cars represent one of the best alternatives one can right now - combining the cleanliness of the electric engine with the mileage of a conventional combustion engine. Hybrid cars are certainly not to be considered unorthodox or overly futuristic - they are here NOW.

The Know more about network (http://knowmoreabout.net), has more consumer information about hybrid cars at: http://www.knowmoreabout.net/automotive/hybrid-cars/

What Are The Benefits Of Owning A Hybrid Car ?

2008-03-24T01:14:00.000-07:00

One thing the hybrid cars promise users is the most, is their ability to save gas by consuming less, as well as reduction in atmospheric pollution. For that reason more people prefer to own hybrid vehicles these days. Hybrid cars run on both fuel and engines that are powered by battery. This means that, they consume less oil and emit less gas when compared to gasoline powered vehicles. Hybrid car, no doubt is a possible solution to the sporadic hike in fuel price in the oil market.

Because of the benefits or advantages accrued from using or owning hybrid cars, the US government had welcomed and supported the manufacturing of this model of car. It has also allowed importation as well as encouraging automobile company in the country like Ford and General Motors to manufacture hybrid cars.

Some of the advantages derived from hybrid cars include the following:

(a) Savings on low gas usage:

Hybrid car combines both electric power and gasoline powered engine. Hence each function all by itself, and combines together depending on which is weaker or stronger when running. The regenerative braking feature enables the engine to compliment each other

(b) Consistent performance:

Unlike the traditional gas powered engine, hybrid cars do not require transmissions to make their engines work at full capacity even at reduced speeds. Hybrid cars function normal and on a consistent basis at any motor speed.

(c) Environmentally friendly:

Hybrid cars, because of their combination of electric powered and gasoline ? powered engines, emit significantly less gas into the environment. The effect of this in the long-run will be a clean population free environment around the globe.

(d) Convenience:

Less amount is expended on gasoline for hybrid cars. This is because of the battery powered engine used by hybrid cars. This is in perfect contrast to owners of the convention gas powered cars who cannot help but feel the scourge of the soaring fuel pump price. Also, most hybrid cars are easy to maneuver on the road because of its light weight. The designs are also something to behold and they come in style.

Some are of the opinion that buying or owning a hybrid car is not ideal for now because of its expensive nature. Notwithstanding its cost, the advantages to be derived from owning this type of vehicle in the long run is worth it. It will be better if more people demand for hybrid cars because this will induce the manufacturers to manufacture more and the price will eventually fall in no time at all.

For an honest review and guide to hybrid car information, you have got to visit http://www.hybrid-car-site.com

Why a Hybrid Car ?

2008-03-21T01:54:00.001-07:00

For most of us these days there's so much publicity & news coverage over the Green House Effect that maybe you've been thinking about how much your car contributes to this and wish to help the environment. Or maybe you are sick and tired of paying high gas prices and want to buy a car that is better on gas. Whether you want to help the environment, or want to cut down on how much you spend on gas, the hybrid car is a great solution.

What is hybrid car?

Types of Hybrid cars

How does the hybrid car increase fuel efficiency?

Hybrid cars are made up of lightweight materials. Thus, the load on the hybrid car is greatly reduced. Because of the lightweight materials, the car doesn't require as much fuel to move. Also, the tires of hybrid cars are firmer than are those found on regular cars.

Toby Russell & his information website www.hybridcarlatest.com gives information, news and views for all those interested in the Hybrid Car Market

Hybrid Cars - Hottest Trend on Wheels

2008-03-21T01:53:00.001-07:00

The increasing popularity of Hybrid cars is a clear indication of increasing fuel prices and increased concern over air pollution levels. People are looking for safe fuel alternatives for running their cars. Hybrid cars are the perfect answer of both the problems. Let us understand what hybrid cars are and how efficient they are for helping solve the global environmental problem.

The term hybrid means a mixture of two things. As the name suggests, hybrid cars run on a combination fuel. The energy for hybrid cars comes from a combination of a gasoline/diesel engine backed by an electric motor. Batteries in turn power the electric motor. These batteries are recharged automatically by utilizing the energy that is lost during braking and slowing down of the vehicle. In hybrid cars, the electric motor acts as an electric generator by running backwards, when the car slows down thus recharging the batteries. Hybrid cars are more efficient in city traffic rather than long distance driving due to the increased use of the electric power source.

The engines in hybrid cars are smaller than those in a traditional gasoline powered car. Thus, they consume less gas and are more energy efficient. The extra power needed to accelerate the hybrid car, comes from electric motor and batteries. The gasoline engine of hybrid car runs at higher engine revolutions without using excessive fuel. In some hybrid cars, the engine shuts off when the car stops at a traffic signal, and starts on its own when the car is put in gear.

Today, the consumer is well aware of the environmental harm being done by gas/diesel engines. The ever-increasing price of gas can make you feel the pinch every time you go to refuel your car. The hybrid cars offer a combination of power and energy. The constraint before now with hybrid cars however, was that there was not much choice available. Now, increasing popularity of hybrid cars have resulted in availability of several different models of hybrid cars. Many leading car manufacturers such as Honda, Ford and Toyota have come up with their version of hybrid cars.

There is a wide choice of hybrid cars available to fit everybody?s style and need. The old limitations that seemed to exist for the buyers now seem to be fading into the past. High cost, low speed, limited choice, non-availability are all things of yesteryears. Now you can have a trendy looking hybrid car that is easy on your pocket not only when you purchase it but also when you run it.

Will is a retired Research Food Technologist who worked over forty years with a major Fortune 500 food company in the Midwest. Product and process development of various types of foods were Will?s expertise. Will?s interests include reading, cooking, fishing, travel and golf.

Will is also a contributing editor for http://www.best-free-help.com a FREE Informational Website Portal that is dedicated to giving people expert knowledge of real value, to help people them decide!

Importance of Electric Car Parts in Hybrid car

2008-03-20T01:43:00.000-07:00

Electric cars are getting commonplace day by day thanks to the fact that they have become very efficient to run and very cheap to maintain but just like any other vehicle, electric cars also suffer the wear and tear of time and the electric car parts need to be replaced and repaired. This means that people are on regular hunt for electric car parts needed for repair and replacement work. Most of the electric car manufacturers and electric car kit makers also sell high quality electric car parts which are easily available now in markets because of increasing demands and improving supply streams.

Electric car parts are generally of two types firstly those which are meant for electric conversion kits and secondly those meant for factory made electric car models. In fact battery is one of the most sought after electric car part. Both types of products are easily available provided you look for them in the right places. Generally the quality is very good but if someone sells you electric car parts like battery at prices too good to be true, it?s the best option to stay clear of these products as they may either be totally substandard or their quality must be subject to suspicion.

The electric car parts for factory made electric cars are generally available from the original equipment manufacturers. These products go through a number of hard quality checks and also certified by many quality assurance companies. If brought from an authorized dealer, the genuineness of the electric car part is almost every time guaranteed. These kinds of electric car parts may be made using proprietary technology and may not be available in open market from other manufacturers, thus if the original equipment manufacturer stops making the product, these kinds of electric car parts may be very hard to find.

The other kind of electric car parts are those meant for vehicles using an electric car kit. Unlike the electric car parts meant for factory made cars, these kind of electric car parts are generally available from a bunch of makers unless its a specific part of the car kit itself in which case this kind of a part may only be available from the car's electric kit maker. Being available in the open market from a number of manufacturers, these kind of electric car parts are generally easy to find but you must exercise caution and discretion while spending your money because the quality of the product is not something worth taking any risk.

It must be kept in mind that with proper market research and consultation of experts any one can buy an electric car part, what needs to be kept under consideration is that the quality of the product should not be compromised for a lower price and the buyer should always make every effort to make an informed decision.

Author is automobile engineer. Visit hybrid car information to get latest information on gas and electric hybrid car

Review On Hybrid Car Technology

2008-03-19T02:41:00.001-07:00

The biggest question popping these days is that, what sort of vehicles are we actually going to be driving in the future? This question has stirred many minds and brains as world oil reserves are dwindling to such a worrying degree that the tip is we could actually run out of that black gooey stuff in about 50 years time. So what is the alternative left with us considering that there will be no black gold after few years? The answer is Hybrid Cars which will run on alternative fuel i.e. solar battery without emission of toxic substances in nature. But are reliable, will they perform well in future? These kinds of questions are just common these days.

Car is now part of daily life and culture, so it's difficult to imagine getting from one place to another without it, irrespective of distance. The future of the car, as we know, is doomed because of emission of large chunk of our greenhouse emissions, and fossil fuels set to become more costly before eventually running out. Thus this has resulted car manufactures to give a deep thought and are serious about alternative ways to produce engine power.

In other words we can say that it is all about developing the car of the future, a vehicle that will be both greener and more efficient. This is when hybrid car makes its entry. Hybrid car these days is gaining popularity as it is not only cheap but also easily affordable. This means owing this car won?t create any environment hazards and also won?t burn hole in your pocket. But is hybrid car reliable and bankable option? The answer is somehow yes, considering current trend of auto industry

A car with Hybrid technology has two engines, side by side, under the bonnet. This means an electric engine here and a petrol engine there. Seeing today?s cars we come to know that majority cars driven by one or the other engine. This means not that cost effective. Thus, for better mileage and maximum performance, you get them both chiming in together, so you get more power. This can only be found in hybrid cars. That?s why people prefer them over others.

In hybrid car the electric engine also charges the batteries, and that neatly gets you around the old problem of electric cars of having to plug it into the mains overnight. This means no need to worry about recharging too. But one of the biggest disadvantages attached with hybrid cars is that they needed big, heavy battery packs which took up all of the back seat. But this is also now rectified as now you get a full four-seater capacity and enough room in the luggage space for two or three small dogs or maybe even one really big one.

Thus, we can now say that hybrid car is the best and safe option to go for. Visit Author's site to learn more on hybrid car technology.

Author is business analyst of Automobile industry. Visit hybrid car information to learn more on hybrid vehicle. Gas and Electric car is an excellent report on the latest hybrid car technology trends.

Power Packed Features of Latest Hybrid Car

2008-03-18T02:02:00.000-07:00

Gaze around and you will find cars which are not only attractive to look but also extremely powerful. Yes we are talking about hybrid car. A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses primarily three distinct source of power. Those are:

? An on-board rechargeable energy storage system or known as RESS and a fueled power source for vehicle propulsion

? A normal bicycle where rider can get extra power battery

? A sail boat with electric power

The term hybrid is basically used in relation with cars also has other uses. However, earlier the word hybrid was used in the United States to mean a vehicle of mixed national origin. If we travel few years back we come to know that it was a European car fitted with American mechanical components. But now this meaning has completely fallen out as now hybrid is often used to describe an engine swap. Few expert motor analysts have also referred to flexible-fuel vehicles as hybrids because they can use a mixture of different fuels, typically gasoline and ethanol alcohol fuel.

With people getting environment conscious, the one main consumer decision most people try to make which impacts the greatest on the environment is the choice of car or vehicle we drive. That?s why hybrid cars are gaining importance and popularity. Hybrid cars offer drivers a pioneering, competent, and reasonably priced option. After continuous running on roads, hybrid cars have become a practical choice for consumers.

At times people think are hybrid cars competent enough and provide same features and facilities. The answer is yes, a hybrid car features a small fuel-efficient gas engine which is combined with an electric motor that assists the engine when accelerating. Thus, the electric motor is motorized by batteries that recharge mechanically while you drive. Talking about its efficiency, hybrid cars are power packed with the following features:

1. Smaller and more efficient engines

2. Regenerative braking ? Herein the electric motor that drives the hybrid car can also slow the car. Thus, in this mode, the electric motor acts as a generator and charges the batteries while the car is slowing down

3. Periodic engine shut off ? This is the main highlight of hybrid cars. When a hybrid car is stopped in traffic, the engine is temporarily shut off. It restarts automatically when put back into gear

4. Advanced aerodynamics ? This has reduced the drag considerably

5. Low-rolling resistance (LLR) tires ? It is powered with narrow, stiffer tires have less drag

6. Lightweight materials ? It subsequently increases the efficiency of hybrid cars

Thus, owing a hybrid car will not only do wonders for you and your pocket but also to environment.

Author is automobile engineer. Currently he writes on environment friendly Hybrid Car at http://www.hybridcarinformation.info

The Benefits Of Hybrid Cars

2008-03-18T01:54:00.001-07:00

Hybrid cars: The vehicles of the future? With the price of gasoline hiking up to astronomic proportions, a lot of motorists are resorting to different ways to save on fuel. Some of them use alternative diesel. Others resort to using bikes, which can also contribute to the clean air program. Some who cannot do away with their rides, however, chose to buy hybrid vehicles. What exactly is a hybrid car? Primarily, a gasoline-electric hybrid car is a combination of an electric car and a gasoline-run vehicle. To make things clearer, it is first necessary to distinguish the characteristics of those two kinds. A gas-powered vehicle is equipped with fuel tanks, which gives gasoline to the engine. The engine operates the transmission, and the transmission operates the wheels. Meanwhile, an electric car is equipped with a set of batteries which gives electric power to a motor. The motor then operates the transmission and the wheels.

Now the hybrid car is a mix of the two. The reputation of hybrids is that they add to the car's mileage with fewer emissions usually coming from cars run by gasoline, while eliminating more or less the disadvantages that comes with electric cars. Motorists usually take three considerations in mind when judging the usability of a vehicle. These are: -it should run at three-hundred miles at least between fuel stops. -Should be easily refueled, in the minimum amount of time. -It should catch up with the other vehicles zooming on the road. The thing is, a gasoline-powered car has all these features, but it produces lots of emission plus the mileage is poor. On the other hand, an electric car gives off almost zero pollution, but the speed is relatively slow, and can only run 50-100 miles between battery charges.

What are the parts of hybrid cars?

1. Gasoline engine Compared to the engine of other cars, hybrids use smaller ones and is more technically advanced in order to maximize fuel and lessen emissions.

2. Fuel tank This serves as the device for hybrids to store energy for the gasoline engine.

3. Electric motor The motor present in hybrids is a study in sophistication. It can serve as both generator and motor.

4. Generator Much like an electric motor, but its only purpose is to provide electrical power.

5. Batteries Acts as the storage device of energy for electric motors. The advantage of hybrid car motors is that they can charge the batteries with energy as well as get energy supply from them.

6. Transmission Acts the same as conventional car transmissions.

There are two ways in combining the energy sources found in hybrid cars. The first one is the parallel hybrid, which is equipped with a fuel tank that provides gasoline to an engine, and a battery set that supplied energy to the electric motor. The second one is the series hybrid. In contrast, the generator is powered by the gasoline engine, and the generator is capable of either energizing the batteries or provide power to the electric motor that starts up the transmission.

Peter Basset runs his own home based marketing business but in his spare time writes articles about his passion.....cars! Why not visit one of his websites full of Hybrid Car Articles
http://www.car-fanatics.com/Hybrid-Cars.html

Hybrid Cars Popularity on the Wane?

2008-03-17T02:58:00.001-07:00

Hybrid cars enjoyed a huge boost in sales amid skyrocketing gas prices over the past few years of uncertain economic times and restless consumers. The fusion of electricity and gasoline to fuel a vehicle proved to be an irresistable offer to both the eco-conscious, as well as to thrifty realists who decided they'd had it with being price-gouged for gas.

Now, as the gas prices begin to stabilize and consumer's pocketbooks seem to be a little heavier because of it, are these hybrid vehicles still enjoying their increasing status, or are they now a passing fad? Well, apparently American consumers are still interested in helping to conserve natural resources as well as save on gasoline, because these hybrid cars are still selling like hotcakes.

Sure, the sales may not be as hot as they were just a few short months ago when many areas in the US were facing gas prices of $3 and over, but they are still enjoying successful and plentiful sales, and are also enjoying a more wide recognition as people become increasingly eco-aware.

More and more Americans are realizing after the great surge in gas prices that seemed to have no end in sight, that this type of energy crisis can very well happen again, at any time, and they are trying to make more energy efficient choices in their vehicles.

In fact, when most of the time the fickle American public is quick to forget a pricing or shortage crisis when it comes to energy or natural resource supplies, they are not so quick to forget the gas price increases that were digging so deep into our pockets for what seemed like an eternity, and they are willing to spend a little more on a car that may prevent them from "having" to pay those outrageous prices ever again.

This is a tremendous shift in typical American consumerism, since we usually do tend to think short term, and the continued popularity of hybrid vehicles seems to signal a turn to long term thinking in large purchases in the buying public.

So, who are the leaders in the hybrid car market? Well, the Toyota Prius seems to be the most popular, at least these are the hybrids that I have seen most out on the roads and freeways in my neck of the woods.

Toyota is known for it's high quality, long-lasting cars, and is a trusted consumer brand here in the US, so it is only fitting that they produce one of the best sellers in the hybrid market. Others that are up and coming in the hybrid car market are Daimler Chrysler and GM, but their models have not quite matched the success Toyota's Prius has had yet.

On the horizon for the hybrid car options are luxury SUV's and larger, "family size" vehicles, for families that are watching their gasoline budget, but who can also obviously afford a little more up front for the luxury that comes afterwards in less gas expenditure.

We can only hope that more advances are to come in the energy alternative market, especially since we've seen what a fuel crisis can do to our economy and our working class citizens (like you and me). I have a feeling the technology is right on the brink, we just need to learn to let go of the idea that gasoline is the most efficient answer.

Danna Schneider is the founder of Low Interest Credit Card Offers for information on low interest credit cards, special interest credit cards, and the best deals currently going in credit. She also manages an online financial and credit info blog Credit Card and Mortgage Loan Info

Future Hybrid Cars Look

2008-03-13T02:26:00.000-07:00

Rising fuel prices have caused people to take a second
look at hybrid cars. Hybrids were originally considered as
flimsy, underpowered toys. They were seen as cars for the
hippies, flower children and tree hugging environmentalists.
After all, why drive a battery-operated toy car when a powerful
gasoline car was easily and cheaply available?

That way of thinking has mostly come to an end. Excessive
fuel prices have consumers flocking to hybrid car dealerships.
In response, the major automobile manufacturers have
developed sleek, powerful, and affordable hybrid cars. Keep in
mind that hybrid cars are still in their infancy. What will future hybrid
cars look like?

Future hybrid cars might look as different from today's hybrids as
the Wright Brothers' first airplane looks from a modern stealth
bomber. Both are recognizable as planes, but nobody could have
predicted the bizarre shape of stealth aircraft. In the same manner,
future hybrid cars could take an entirely unforeseen direction.
However, it is possible to examine today's technology to make a
guess about future hybrid cars.

Today's cars are called hybrids because they combine the best
qualities of their parent cars, the gasoline car and the electric car.
Gasoline cars are expensive to fuel and create pollution. Electric
cars use no gasoline, but have limited range and require plug-in
recharging overnight. Future hybrid cars will likely improve on the
current combination of hybrids with both gas engines and electric
motors.

Internal combustion technology is very well developed. That is why
future hybrid cars will be improved by working on the electrical side
of the car. The first place to begin developing future hybrid cars is
the batteries. The traditional lead acid battery of gasoline cars works
well enough, but is bulky and heavy. Scaling up these batteries for
future hybrid cars would result in cars too large and heavy to move.
Future hybrid cars will have batteries that are lighter, stronger, and last
longer than today's battery technology.

Once more powerful batteries are developed for future hybrid cars,
expect improvements in the electric motor. More powerful batteries
mean that the electric motor will be used more often to propel the hybrid
vehicle. This will save more gas when driving future hybrid cars.

The logical conclusion to the advancement of batteries in future hybrid
cars is an all-electric car. Current battery technology may not be that
advanced yet. However, future hybrid cars may use an advanced battery
system called the fuel cell. Fuel cells on future hybrid cars will combine
hydrogen gas with oxygen from the air to create chemical energy. Of
course, future hybrid cars that run entirely on one source of fuel cannot
continue to be called a hybrid.

Adoz Lizzat is the webmaster of Hybrid cars. A great resource for Hybrid Cars. For More Information visit http://www.acarsz.com

5 Buying Tips For Hybrid Cars

2008-03-13T02:25:00.000-07:00

With the rising cost of gas, it is getting less and less affordable to own a car these days. As a result of this increase in cost, car manufacturers have lately been very aggressive in promoting their line of hybrid cars designed to save fuel.

While a hybrid car in general does saves you some money on gas, you may want to bear these points in mind when looking to buy a hybrid car.

1) Hybrid cars generally are more expensive than conventional gas powered cars. The price difference can be as much as $10,000. Hybrid cars are still new to consumers and may take a while before prices drop.

2) The batteries used in a hybrid car is different from a conventional car. The prices are much higher. They are about $2000 more expensive. However, hybrid car batteries have a longer life span as well.

3) The government has a tax deduction for hybrid cars owners. The hybrid car tax deduction varies from year to year but in general, you can save at least a couple of thousand dollars.

4) The cost of maintenance for a hybrid car is also higher. Also it has more complex systems and engine, a normal mechanic may not know how to repair it. In most cases, you need to send back to the hybrid car manufacturer for maintenance and repair and the cost is not cheap.

5) Hybrid cars use special tires that are wore out more easily than conventional cars. These hybrid car tires cost more and need to be replaced around 25,000 miles.

While the above points may seem that buying a hybrid car is more expensive, the fuel savings in itself is definitely worth it in the long run.

Ricky Lim operates a hybrid cars site. Visit his site for more information on hybrid car battery and hybrid car tax

The Benefits Of The Hybrid Car

2008-03-12T02:40:00.000-07:00

What are the parts of hybrid cars?

1. Gasoline engine Compared to the engine of other cars, hybrids use smaller ones and is more technically advanced in order to maximize fuel and lessen emissions.

2. Fuel tank This serves as the device for hybrids to store energy for the gasoline engine.

3. Electric motor The motor present in hybrids is a study in sophistication. It can serve as both generator and motor.

4. Generator Much like an electric motor, but its only purpose is to provide electrical power.

5. Batteries Acts as the storage device of energy for electric motors. The advantage of hybrid car motors is that they can charge the batteries with energy as well as get energy supply from them.

6. Transmission Acts the same as conventional car transmissions.

Why Hybrid Car Is Better Alternative In London City

2008-03-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

The idea of the electric vehicle has risen from the ashes because the search of alternate energy is gaining popularity in investor circle.

Most of today's vehicles will be powered by an internal combustion engine, which will run on either petrol or diesel fuel. Lately, lot of investment has been made by Car Company to build state of the art electric and hybrid engines.

Outside look of hybrid car is just like ?normal? vehicles, except for the lack of a tailpipe (and exhaust system). There is no petrol tank instead there is battery packs in the trunk.

5 simple points to know before you buy a Hybrid car

1- Hybrid cars are often referred to as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle or HEV. HEV have two engines as opposed to a traditional car. The engines that are found in hybrid car are combustion and electric. The two engines allow the car to switch from one engine to the other when power begins to run low.

2- However, if needed, combustion and electric engines will run simultaneously as well. This will happen if more power is needed for example of this type of situation would be accelerating on an expressway.

3- Do some study before even you meet the broker as hybrid car has some separate vocabulary? Hybrid cars are, on average, have a 90 percent lower emission rate than traditional cars and are therefore known as Ultra Low-Emission vehicles.

4- Fuel efficiency is the biggest advantage of hybrid car. If drive in an area where it requires frequent stopping and starting, you will be able to see significant fuel savings because in these types of driving conditions the vehicle is able to utilize the electrical engine, using lower RPM's than a traditional car does.

5- Do some on line research on engineering of hybrid cars, repair shops, vehicle maintenance requirements and other such information that is specific to Hybrid car. Do not forget to get some details from car insurance company also.

www.hybridcarinformation.info/hybrid_car_information.php provides useful tips to buyers on hybrid car. To get latest information on gas and electric car follow the link: www.hybridcarinformation.info/gas_and_electric_hybrid_car.php

Top 3 Picks For Hybrid Cars

2008-03-10T02:39:00.001-07:00

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 miles per gallon and 48 miles per gallon.

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 miles per gallon and 56 highway miles per gallon. 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 miles per gallon and 51 highway miles per gallon. 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.

Ricky Lim is an automobile editor who owns a toyota hybrid car. Visit his site to learn more on hybrid car technology and hybrid electric cars

The New Breed of Cars- Changing Driving Habits and Choices with Hybrid Cars

2008-03-07T23:12:00.000-08:00

Remember how futuristic movies of the past portrayed tomorrows car as fast air gliders. Cars that moved from one point to another in the air. Well the future is here but the car of the future is not the dream of yesterday. The cars of our future do not glide through the air. They are not lighting fast but they are fast enough not to leave you yawning at the wheel. It is a good idea to understand just what we are dealing with when hybrid cars are mentioned.

With the rise in energy costs worldwide fuel powered cars have the disadvantage of rising maintenance costs. These recent events have made the hybrid car a choice for vehicle owners. But more than the rising costs of maintaining fuel powered cars interest in hybrid cars rose because hybrid cars use more than one form of energy to power their motor engines.

Manufacturers are rising to the challenges posed by the questions raised about the possibilities of these cars in regards to speed, comfort, compatibility and longevity. Manufacturers are showing off a new brand of car that compares to it fuel powered brethren. Hybrid cars are manufactured with all the lushness, stylishness and slickness of these other cars. A shift is coming in what will be the future car of the road and it is represented by the new breed of car, the hybrid car.

Even though there is an increasing awareness for hybrid cars buying one is not yet a one, two process. This is because these cars are not yet as widespread as their fuel powered cousins, and have not yet been released into the general auto marketplace. To get a hybrid vehicle you will need a little know how of where they can be found. This will involve some form of personal search. A personal search might involve contacting the companies themselves or various car dealers.

The hybrid car is the wave of the future and you should definitely think about getting on the bandwagon. Explore it possibilities and you will not be disappointed. They are slick and getting better all the time. Have fun driving the wave of the future.

You can see an example of a hybrid vehicle and read more about the future hybrid car at www.autocentralebrugge.com

Hybrid Car Review: It's A Baby Nissan Hybrid!

2008-03-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

Nissan recently made public its first baby in the hybrid car industry with its 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid! Although it has not been priced yet at the moment, car enthusiast are looking out for its initial release into the hybrid auto market which will be in 2007. On the exterior, the new 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid will assume the similar look of the non-hybrid Altima and will also run on the same gas engine as its non-hybrid counterpart. But this newly-introduced 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid Car will be boasting of its added hybrid electric system that helps reduce gas emissions and maximize its gas mileage with an expected fuel economy of 36 mpg - miles per gallon - for highway driving and 41 mpg - miles per gallon - for city driving.

Emission-wise, the 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid has passed the standard of PZEV or the Partial Zero Emission Vehicle, classified as AT-PZEV, which means to say that this new baby will be ruling the roads of the eight states which has adopted the California standard for vehicle emission tests.

A peek under the hood will tell us that the new 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid Car will have 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine with a power of 158 horsepower and with a CVT powertrain . Together with the hybrid system, it will have a total of 198 horsepower, net! The 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid Car will run with a 40 horsepower permanent magnet synchronized AC motor. Its electric motor will have a 199 lb-ft, torque and a hybrid battery pack of 244.8 Volts.

Not a bad primi for Nissan. And if all goes well, we might expect more hybrid models from Nissan.

JB Anthony is the webmaster of http://www.hybridcars.hottestniches.com For more information on hybrid cars, latest hybrid car reviews and updates and links to hybrid cars, please visit http://www.hybridcars.hottestniches.com

The 2 Types Of Hybrid Cars

2008-03-06T00:59:00.000-08:00

Many automobile companies have spend millions of dollars each year in research and development of more efficient fuel consumption for cars. Each year more and more cars are rolled out the production plants and there is an urgent call by consumers and environmental groups to reduce the fuel consumption of automobiles.

With the increasing cost of fuel and the environmental concerns regarding harmful emissions of toxic gases into our atmosphere, automobile companies are forced to developed radically different types of cars. One of which is the hybrid car

A hybrid is powered by conventional fuel as well as uses electric energy. Hybrid cars have lower fuel consumption and are more environmentally friendly.

All hybrid cars are powered by two engines : a gasoline engine and a electric engine. Typically, they work in tandem with each other. The gasoline engine is used during starting and stopping the car. Once the car is travelling at a certain speed, the electric engine will take over automatically.

In the current market, there are 2 types of hybrid car. The first type is the series. Typically, the gasoline engine is used to start and stop the car. Once the hybrid car has attained a certain speed, the electric engine will take over. The gasoline engine is also used to charge the electric engine?s batteries. As you can see, both engines are used in tandem with each other but never together.

The second type is called the parallels. It has the same physical configuration of the series hybrid however the operation is quite different. Both the electric engine and the gasoline engine can be used to start and stop the car. The electric engine is used to boost the power of the car when required. Parallel hybrid cars are more suited for long distance travelling.

Usually, hybrid cars are built using very lightweight materials in order to reduce the load on the hybrid car when travelling. This help to save fuel by requiring less energy to move the vehicle. The tires are made more rigid than conventional vehicles with higher tire pressure to increase fuel efficiency.

In on whole, a hybrid car consumes 50 to 60 percent less fuel than a conventional car. The only obstacle is the high cost at the present moment but I am sure as consumers start to recognize the benefits of hybrid car, the prices will start falling and become more affordable.

Ricky Lim is a hybrid car owner who contributes hybrid car technology and hybrid car manufacturers articles regularly.

Hybrid cars are the Vehicles of Choice these days

2008-03-05T01:11:00.000-08:00

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 the community's air.

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!

Courtesy of http://www.activehybrid.com Hybrid Cars Articles

Improved Fuel Economy Tips and Hybrid Cars

2008-03-03T23:17:00.000-08:00

Americans have been suffering "sticker shock" every time they pull into the gas station lately. Fuel prices keep rising with no end in sight.

With high fuel prices on the minds of most Americans, finding ways to be more economical and fuel efficient are on the rise. So what can you do to save money? More and more automakers are developing new, easy to use tools to help drivers keep an eye on fuel efficiency.

* Make sure your tires are properly inflated. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, you can improve fuel economy by about three percent by making sure your tires are properly inflated, but not enough people do it. The U.S. Department of Energy says nearly four million gallons of gas are wasted each day nationwide for every one psi of tire under-inflation. That translates to more than $10 million per day, or $3.8 billion per year in wasted gas money.

* Test your vehicle's emissions systems to make sure the engine is working efficiently. Fixing an engine that has failed an emissions test may improve gas mileage by four percent, on average. That's the equivalent of 12 cents per gallon.

* Change your car's oil and filters regularly. Changing the oil regularly (as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer) will increase the life of the car's engine. Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and it removes harmful dirt and grit from the engine. The car's air filter keeps impurities in the air from damaging internal engine components. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter improve fuel economy, it will protect the engine. Clogged filters can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption.

Recognizing that not enough people find time to keep up with vehicle maintenance issues due to busy schedules and family commitments, more and more automakers are working on ways to help drivers worry less and pay less. GM is adding a new level of service to OnStar's popular monthly diagnostic e-mail that allows drivers to closely monitor conditions that can affect their car's fuel efficiency.

Enhancements to OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, which collects valuable maintenance information on the vehicle's four key operating systems and sends a personalized e-mail directly to the owner, are being updated throughout 2006. Soon, the system will notify drivers of select models of the actual psi reading for each tire so they can make adjustments to improve fuel efficiency. The e-mail's oil-life monitoring feature now predicts the mileage at which the next oil change will be needed based on current driving patterns.

Enhanced vehicle emissions data gives consumers additional peace of mind that their emissions systems are operating efficiently. And vehicles that can run on E85 ethanol have access to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition's (NEVC) handy E85 ethanol station on-line look-up tool through a hotlink in the OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics e-mail. And when driving, drivers can receive directions to the nearest E85 ethanol station by pressing the blue OnStar button in their vehicle.

The new hybrid cars are an excellent choice for anyone looking to save money at the gas pump and help the environment. Many car manufacturers are making hybrids because they are small and fuel-efficient. They are powered by a combination of an efficient gas engine and by electric motor that helps with accelerations. Batteries that recharge automatically power the electric motor. On this Hybrid Cars site you will find a large selection of topics covered with expert advice and tips for anyone considering the purchase of a hybrid car

EDITOR'S NOTE: Calculations based on an average gas price of $2.60 for 2006 from the DOE's Energy Information Administration. Estimates for fuel savings from vehicle maintenance are based on studies and literature reviews performed by Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc., Washington, DC.

Courtesy of http://www.activehybrid.com

Why Is A Hybrid Car Tax Deduction Worthwhile?

2008-03-03T00:15:00.000-08:00

Being environmentally conscience can be an advantage when it comes to saving you some money on your taxes with the fairly new hybrid car tax deduction. This is a new provision, since 2004, under the Working Families Tax Relief Act that allows for a hybrid automobile tax reduction. It can only be used once, but if you have recently bought one you could qualify for the tax reduction.

The way it can be taken advantage of is for those owners who bought them from the year 2004 and 2005 only. There is a limit when it comes to the car tax reduction, and that is $2,000, unfortunately that will decrease in 2006, when the car tax reduction limit will only be $500.

There are some improvements that are trying to be made in the hybrid car tax deduction. For one thing in August 2005 a revised energy bill was put into place to help increase incentives in buying a hybrid car. This bill helped exceed some of the limitations of the original hybrid automobile tax reduction by creating full dollar tax credits, which are an even greater advantage.

Going back to the car tax reduction that is in place right now, how much is dependent on the tax bracket you fall into. You can claim up to $2,000 but what comes off depends on where you fall in the tax brackets. The higher percentage tax bracket the more you will receive from the reduction and vice versa.

If you bought a hybrid car within three years of 2004 you can also apply for the car tax deduction. Of course this requires going back and modifying the original claim within three years of the return date or within two years of when any taxes were paid.

One good thing about claiming a tax reduction is you don't have to itemize. You can basically do your taxes as you normally would. The only thing is you must use a 1040 form and classified as 'clean fuel'. Other than that claiming this type of deduction is relatively simple and in the end can save you a good amount of money. As simple as it is, claiming a tax rebate is well worth it.

Now that you know what exactly qualifies you for this type of deduction you can see the benefits far outweigh any effort on your part it may take. Being environmentally conscience can not only help us all in keeping our planet clean, but can also help you personally by saving you money. So why not buy a hybrid and save with the hybrid car tax deduction?

Check out http://www.easy-tax-deductions.com/ for more articles on hybrid car tax deduction and tax deductions for business

Buying a Hybrid Luxury Car

2008-03-01T01:05:00.000-08:00

A Hybrid luxury car is a great alternative to other high-end vehicles. A luxury vehicle like a BMW is a great way to show off your sense of style. But with a Hybrid automobile you will also be contributing to the environment as well as showing off your sense of style.

Why a Hybrid?

Hybrids are an economic way to customize your monthly spending. Instead of paying a huge car payment you will enjoy a small payment and even smaller gas bill. Toyota, Honda, and many other automotive brands are now offering hybrid vehicles to meet all their customer needs.

The customer's specifications can be matched exactly and there are just as many personalized aspects to a hybrid vehicle. Vehicle customizing can be as simple as a certain kind of leather on the seats, or as complex as a video monitoring system.

Women and Hybrids

More and more women are interest in acquiring a luxury car. These women enjoy a motor vehicle that they can show off in. They may not want the vehicle for its customized engine performance. Instead, they are looking for the overall appeal of the vehicle. Hybrids often make the perfect choice for a woman. These cars are still aesthetically appealing and they also are environmentally friendly.

Some Custom Luxury Car Problems

Many people who are getting a customized luxury car or van may find it difficult to wait so long for their vehicle. This is often a big deterrent for people who are trying to decide to customize their vehicle or not. It is hard to say you will wait 8-weeks for a customized vehicle when you can get a regular one right away.

Another problem that many people have with a customized vehicle is the pricing. Although most people who want to have a vehicle customized are not too worried about the price, the fact is that customization can run in the thousands of dollars.

Making Your Luxury Vehicle Purchase

A regular person off the street is not likely to ask for customization on a vehicle. The expense is very large and often very similar to the regular stock upgrades that the person can get.

Hybrid vehicles as well as luxury vehicles are a great way to show off your personal sense of style. When you own one of these types of vehicles then you will always take pride in your car. You will show off all the custom features you had incorporated to make it feel more like your own vehicle.

A hybrid car is an economical choice with today's rising gas prices. Even the luxury models will end up being a great choice when you start seeing all the saving you will have just on gas every month. Remember to compare prices when you are purchasing a luxury car. Not all dealerships are created equally, so you will have to find a dealership that can offer you the level of support you need throughout your vehicle purchase.

A custom luxury car is the dream of almost everyone, but even if you know which car you want -- what is the best way to get it? For numerous articles and resources designed to get you in your dream car NOW visit us at: http://www.customluxurycar.com/

Take a Ride to the Future In A Hybrid Car

2008-03-01T01:04:00.001-08:00

Utilizing the latest in advanced technology, hybrid cars might just provide a glimpse into the future of automobiles. Hybrid cars sport sleek and futuristic looks, but these cars aren't just for show. These scientific marvels make use of both electric and gas power to make for a cleaner, more cost efficient, and environmentally friendlier car.

As the world's supply of oil inevitably runs out and the prices of gasoline continue to skyrocket to staggering new heights, more and more people have begun to look for an alternative way to power their cars, as well as to save some money. Thankfully, the rise of hybrid cars are providing a much needed solution to these problems and more. The popularity of hybrid cars continue to grow as more people begin to realize the many advantages that hybrid cars hold over conventional ones.

So, what is a hybrid car and how does it work?

As the name suggests, hybrid cars utilizes a combination of different technologies. Hybrid cars use an electric propulsion system together with of a gas propulsion system to great effect.

Hybrids cars consist mostly of the same basic parts as normal gas cars. They contain a gasoline engine, a fuel tank, batteries, and a transmission. The difference is that hybrid cars also contain an electric motor and in some cases a generator, that work in conjunction with the gasoline engine to run the transmission.

A hybrid car can work in different ways.

In a parallel hybrid system, both the gasoline engine and the electric motor are connected to the transmission. The car alternates between the two and sometime uses them together. It typically works by using the electric motor to power the car at lower speeds and once the car reaches a certain speed, the car will automatically switch to the gasoline engine to give it extra power.

Other cars use what is called a series hybrid system. In this method, the gasoline engine is used to power a generator. The generator is responsible for charging the batteries that power the electric motor, which in turn, turns the transmission causing the car to move. The gasoline engine in a series hybrid never actually runs the car directly.

Some of the later hybrid models have a feature that stores up the kinetic energy that is built up when braking and uses it to further charge the car's batteries.

The biggest advantage of a hybrid is that it uses a lot less fuel than normal cars. Hybrid owners will be very happy with the mileage that these cars are capable of.

It also helps that hybrid cars tend to be built with lighter materials like aluminum and plastic. The engine is also typically smaller and specially designed to consume less fuel.

Environmentalist will also be very pleased with hybrids seeing as how they emit far less air pollution. Using a hybrid car helps makes our world a cleaner and more beautiful place to live in.

The government is also very fond of hybrid cars. So much so that they're offering buyers tax incentives and other benefits. In some states, hybrid car owners can drive their hybrids in the high occupancy lane, even if they're all alone in their cars.

The earlier hybrid car models tended to have unique and special designs, but as more and more manufacturers are catching on to the hybrid craze, they have begun to create hybrid versions of their normal cars. The Honda Civic Hybrid for example, looks more or less exactly like a regular Civic.

Buying a hybrid car will inevitably cost more than a regular one. However, the money that is saved from the lower fuel consumption, along with the tax deductions will eventually make up for the extra cost of a hybrid. Those who drive frequently will be the ones that benefit most from this.

With all the of the benefits that hybrid cars give, it's no wonder that they're so quickly gaining in popularity. Hybrid owners figure that it's an excellent way to save money on gas and it gives them a good feeling, knowing that they're making a difference in the environment.

So those who are in interested should go seriously consider owning one and join the ever growing number of people who are stepping into the future with hybrid cars.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://hybridcars.unique-articles.com where you can get more news and information on hybrid cars.

A Hybrid Car: The Best Of Two Worlds

2008-02-28T22:28:00.001-08:00

If you have followed along with the news lately, you have no doubt noticed the growing interest towards hybrid cars. What is this all about?

After nearly 100 years on the road the combustion engine is slowly becoming an old-timer. The environmental pollution and its unlimited thirst for fuel cause problems from smog to global warming. Furthermore, conventional engines actually become increasingly inefficient as they grow in size. Most cars use at the most one third of the energy present in the fuel, the remainder is lost in the form of heat and sound.

But only if gasoline starts costing way over 3 dollars per gallon, traditional cars will be considered as too thirsty - apart from the fact that they get the environment dirty. But the cleaner electrical technology, as in electrical vehicles, is not the ideal solution either. And hydrogen or gas cells are not fully developed yet. Here the hybrid car has its window of opportunity - a new automobile technology, which unites the best of two worlds: a gasoline and an electric motor.

The results?

The most pollution free motorised vehicle on offer thus far.

The hybrid technology manage to do this by connecting a small petrol engine with a torque-strong electric motor and a battery. And can in this way lower the fuel consumption and have a lower pollution factor.

In fact, some hybrid vehicles produce 50% less emissions than your conventional car. Although this is very good indeed, one has to admit that two power sources under the hood is more complicated, more susceptible to errors and may sound a bit wasteful even.

But if this will allow almost any driver to have 50% of gasoline savings and reduces the emissions by a third, it certainly can't be all wrong. And the best of everything is that these hybrid cars - in the short time the have been on the market - have proven to be very road worthy vehicles as well.

Especially in the USA, where the environment is quickly becoming more and more polluted, hybrid vehicles play an increasingly important role - not least in California, where "Governator" Arnold Schwarzenegger have opted for strict environmental protection guidelines.

For this reason no doubt, we can also see somewhat of a Hybrid car craze in Hollywood right now. During the Academy awards of 2005, the most prestigious way to travel was not the long black limousine, but a hybrid car , which supposedly showed the environmental awareness of the celebrities.

On the other hand, one can also assume that the above phenomenon was a way to show ones status, as hybrid cars where rather rare and expensive at the time. Among the celebrities that where seen arriving in various hybrid cars were Cameron Diaz, Robin Williams Harrison Ford and (surprise, surprise) Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon.

Charles Hawkins is the editor of Knowmoreabout.net, where you can now get a gold of a thoroughly researched guide to hybrid cars that will teach you everything about the technology as well as make up your mind about buying one.

What Are The Benefits Of Hybrid Cars?

2008-02-28T22:27:00.001-08:00

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 CAF? for short. Currently, the CAF? 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 CAF?.

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.

Jackson Porter is a staff writer at Environmental Central and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Automobile Enthusiast

Honda Accord Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-27T00:22:00.001-08:00

Honda has been one of the most successful companies when it comes to hybrids and their infusion to the United States car market. The main reason for their success seems to be the fact that they do not sacrifice the power and style when they build the hybrid cars that are rolling off the lines. Unlike the other companies in the game that report less horsepower and reduced speeds with their models, the Honda company was actually able to produce hybrids that had increased horsepower and speeds thanks to their boosts in technology. This helped the company bring the hybrids to the over powering market of the states, where other companies were having to compete only in the foreign markets where speed and power is much less of an issue. Then you must consider the fact that the Honda company did not roll out with a whole line of new models. Instead of messing with the success they had with current models, they simply turned them into hybrids and left the formula alone.

One of the newer additions to the Honda hybrids line up has been the Accord. For many years the Honda Accord has been one of the most popular cars in the world, behind only the Honda Civic. The Accord and Civic are the most stolen cars in the world since they have become fashionable in the street racing world. This is not an issue with the hybrids as they are not set up for the street racing rigors. The Accord was launched and quickly flew to the top of the model line for hybrid vehicles. Thankfully for the company the sales have been very brisk on this line and they are now considering a new generation of the Accord for the 2008 model year. The endearing fact of the Accord is the fact that it is the same trim level as its gas powered cousin. There is nothing, with the exception of the power sun roof, that has been left out or moved when it comes to the trim level.

The high quality that people have come to expect from the Honda and their line of vehicles is not compromised with the hybrid versions. There is no lose of power or speed capabilities, in all truth the newer Honda Accord generation is boasting the fact that the speed is greatly increased as is the horsepower that is backing the vehicle.

SouthEastDealers.com provides Automotive Information, Car Dealers and leasing contact information with around 40,000 listings from United States and Tips on dealing with Car Dealers, Saving Money with Insurance Premiums. Please visit http://www.southeastdealers.com for more information.

Honda Civic Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-26T01:08:00.001-08:00

For as long as most can remember Honda has been the company with some of the most fuel efficient vehicles. They were the company that started bringing the smaller and more efficient cars to the market in the time when America was overcome with the fuel shortage and in need of something that would get them more miles for the gas they were getting. So started the legacy of Honda and to this day they are known to be one of the finest in all auto makers when it comes to fuel ratings and car performance. This is seen well with the number of young people who have taken a liking to the Hondas and turned them into the street racers of this day. With each new generation of vehicles that is produced by Honda there is a whole host of upgrades that seem to be making the grade. This is seen easily with the Honda Civic hybrid that is taking the world by storm.

The Honda Civic is one of the most popular cars that has ever been made by Honda and the new hybrid version is set to break all the rules of the game. Using the same body design and such of the standard models, Honda has created a hybrid vehicle that appeals to the more conservative crowd who want something that is not only practical but also very efficient in that manner as well. The Honda Civic uses the new cylinder cut off system that has become so popular. During deceleration up to three of the cylinders will be cut off from power, which means that less is wasted in the time when the car is slowing down. This means that the Honda Civic hybrid is not only fuel efficient but also very safe in most respects. The cylinder cut off has virtually eliminated the problem of the car jumping forward during the stopping when one of the gears gets caught.

The other most popular feature is the electric motor assist that is high in the help for the fuel rating. At certain times during the acceleration process an electric motor that is attached to the crankshaft will take over for the internal combustion engine. This powers the motor to ensure that it does not need to work as hard as it would under normal conditions. With this method there is a lot of fuel saved that would not normally be possible as the motor would continue to burn the fuel and turn the motor.

Lexus RX 400h Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-26T01:07:00.000-08:00

Another gathering of two auto makers has created brand confusion for a good many people who have a hard time telling one from the other. In this case we are speaking of the Lexus company. For many years most have believed that Lexus is an independent company making cars for the higher class of people, but anything but that is true. Lexus is nothing more then a subsidiary of the Toyota company who makes the Toyota cars under the brand name of Lexus, which has come to be known as high class and even higher price tag models. This sort of confusion is very much common in the auto world today. Many of the companies that we know and trust are actually owned by the larger auto making companies like Ford and GM here in the United States. Some of them are in partnership due to mutual agreement. This happens most often when a large company sees a smaller company making a big splash in the market and decides to flex their muscles a little bit to take care of the competition.

Toyota launched the RX 400h under the Lexus brand name last year and has seen the sales steadily rising ever since. This SUV in the smaller class of vehicles is one of the most fuel efficient to be found anywhere. Using the technology that Toyota has claimed as its own, the RX 400h is a dual drive hybrid. There are two additional electric motors attached to the car besides the normal unit that would reside inside the motor compartment. The first is designed to power the front wheels and the second is there for the rear wheels. These electric motors will kick in when the time is right and take some of the stress off of the gasoline engine. The original electric motor is housed beside the gasoline engine and will take over for the gas engine in times of acceleration and so on. This helps to drop the amount of gas that is injected into the cylinders and the amount of force that is needed to drive the cylinders themselves.

Thanks to the efforts of Toyota the RX 400h has been a top seller in their new line of hybrid vehicles. The name Lexus appeals to the high class crowd more so then the Toyota brand. All of the normal options and features appear on this model and there is three different trim levels that you can choose from depending on how much you wish to spend.

Suzuki Twin Hybrid car Review

2008-02-14T02:51:00.000-08:00

There are some cars that were never meant to make it, that is simply the way of the world when it comes to car companies. Try as they might, some of the models that they produce will not make it in the market because the public is just not ready for them yet. This is the case of the Suzuki Twin and its hybrid style that was thought to be the next big thing. Sadly enough this was not the case and the car found its self in the scrap pile long before most would have ever thought. This is more common then people would like to believe. Car makers the world over are constantly producing new models, many of which will never see the road. These cars are built and then test marketed, through a long series of trade shows and such. Once the shows are complete, the car makers will look at the data that they collected to make a determination on whether or not the car should be produced. Less then one percent of all new models that are created for testing will ever be produced.

The Suzuki Twin was a bit ahead of its time, or at least that is what the experts believe is the case any way. The Twin was one of the first hybrids that hit the market, but the technology was still new and not well liked in the early days. The price of gas was driving all of the car makers to the design rooms in hopes of creating something that would sell well to the now angry consumer base. When Suzuki introduced the Twin it was thought to help ease the burden on the consumer by being highly fuel efficient but it fell short in many other areas. For one thing the three cylinder engine did not appeal to most of the car buyers of the time. While they wanted better gas mileage they did not want to trade off the amount of power they were used to. The three cylinder engine, similar to the one put in the Geo Metro, was not popular because it lacked the over all power that people were used to having. It topped out at around sixty miles an hour and was not meant for highway driving.

While the Twin was equipped with an electric assist motor it made very little difference. The three cylinder gas motor was already high in the efficiency, pulling in some forty miles or more per gallon, so it was not necessary to have the electric motor installed. The Twin was actually created to give consumers, like those in Japan, a tax credit for fuel efficient and low emissions vehicles, a practice that has been in place since the end of world war two.

Toyota Kluger Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-13T02:45:00.001-08:00

In past years Toyota has been making some impressive steps towards building the brand that is the hybrid automobile. They have constantly added new models to their line up making certain that there are choices for just about any taste. This is easily seen when one looks at the Kluger. This model, closely related to the Camry station wagon is currently available in the Japanese market and has been selling well for their dollars to yen that is so competitive. The Kluger is made solely in the Japanese factories with very few parts being made in other parts of the world. This has meant that the company has more control over the price of the Kluger then they have in the past with other cars that have rolled off the lines. People have said that the Kluger is very much like the RX 400h put out under the Lexus brand name and they may very well be correct in that assessment.

Drawing from the success of their Avalon line, the Toyota company is finding a dream in the hybrid SUV line of vehicles they are now producing. For years there was nothing more than small cars being produced that would qualify as a hybrid and the public was hungry for new technology that would give them the comfort and space that an SUV provided without all the problems that come with poor gas mileage. The answer has been in the mixing of more than one electric assist motor into the SUV and that is where Toyota has excelled in recent years. They knew that it would take more then one of the electric motors to make any kind difference in the mileage of the large SUV. The original worry was that the addition of the motors would increase the weight too much, but the advent of the new brushless motors has made all of those worries dissolve.

The Kluger is very popular in the Japanese markets. It has managed to be rather large in size but still small enough to allow for the residents to receive the tax credit for fuel efficient vehicles. Not only that, but there is the matter that this SUV is high in style and is a joy to drive for most people. There is only one matter that one should take into consideration. The Kluger is not meant to be taken for the serious off road trips. In truth it is meant for regular driving and has the all wheel drive only for increased traction control.

Toyota Camry Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-13T02:44:00.000-08:00

In an effort to boost the lagging sales that have been in force since the gas prices went through the roof most of the auto makers in the world are looking for ways to improve gas mileage. This is the main reason why so many of the largest car makers are rolling out models that are hybrid versions of their existing models. This is directly targeted at the consumers who are having a hard time dealing with the stress and strain of the increased gas price and are thereby buying fewer cars. In the past three years car sales have dropped an amazing forty percent which is a testament to the effect that the gas prices have had on the sales and the total industry. Toyota has been in the lead with the hybrid vehicles thus far. Using the technology that they claimed to have created, they are turning the entire line of models they offer into hybrids and this tactic has helped them to boost sales by about thirty percent world wide.

The Toyota Camry is one of the more popular models that this company has produced in its class. The Camry has always been a bit more sporty then the rest of the line and that has appealed to a much broader market then the other models which were aimed at the aging baby boomers and their children. Still the Camry has also been an important family car in most cases, and the four door style has seen a definite jump in sales since the hybrid version was released. It is important to note that companies like Toyota did not see the brunt of the sales down fall since they have always produced fuel efficient vehicles since they were invented. They did however see enough of a drop that they saw fit to bring about the hybrid technology which has revolutionized the entire auto making industry.

The Toyota Camry hybrid is nothing short of amazing. Using the multiple electric motors that has been so useful they have brought in a new day in driving. The main accessories, like power steering and air conditioning, are all run from the electric motors, which means the car can run as all electric rather than having to run the car on gas. One of the nicer perks is the self charging batteries. The batteries start to become recharged every time the car decelerates and can maintain enough power to travel over three hundred miles without stopping for recharging.

Toyota Estima Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-11T03:55:00.002-08:00

The call too arms by many of the largest auto makers came in the form of reduced mile per gallon ratings. This was seen when the government changed or corrected the formula that was used to calculate this rating and it meant that a lot of cars with high ratings were now dropped down to nothing. To answer this call many of the largest auto makers began work on the hybrid vehicles that are so popular today. Hybrid vehicles are nothing that the world had ever seen before and Toyota was at the forefront of this technology as they have been with a good many things that refer to cars in general. Toyota was able to answer the call of the families who were in need of a fuel efficient car that was big enough to house the entire family. This was in stark contrast to the cars like the Honda Insight which are small and meant for two people only. With that Toyota released the Estima minivan and they have been popular to this day.

The Toyota Estima is like no other in the world. This minivan is a diesel based motor with electric assistance on board. Of course this means that a person would need to find a place to buy cheap diesel fuel which is not always easy. To curb that need the Toyota Estima can be run on vegetable oil. This is the basis for this hybrid as it can be run on different fuels and has the on board electric motor to assist the internal combustion engine in the times of acceleration and braking as well. This is coupled with the fact that the Estima is a large vehicle. It can comfortably seat five people with the standard equipment. Toyota offers upgrades to seven and eight seat capacities as well. This vehicle is also stocked with a good many features that most are looking for when it comes to the minivans that they are purchasing.

There have been three generations of the Estima to be released this far. Each one has been improved a little or a lot once it is released. Many of the newest vans are equipped with a third electric motor that helps the rear wheels in times of acceleration and such. This is one of the many ways in which the Toyota Estima is helping the people realize that gas mileage can once again be high and not have to spend a fortune to get it.

Toyota Prius Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-11T03:55:00.001-08:00

Toyota has long been a front runner in the technology of cars. Powered by their Japanese business sense, this car company has introduced some of the largest and most important innovations that the world has ever seen when it comes to the cars of the world and the public has always treated this company well. Toyota is one of the few car companies that has never really been in trouble from the financial stand point, and the lines of cars that they have produced has been light on the disappointments. Some of the first Toyotas that were ever created are still on the road, which is an impressive testament to this companies commitment to quality in the cars they produce. This is why the Toyota company was the first to introduce a mass produced and marketed hybrid automobile, the Toyota Prius. They used the existing technology that was still years in the making and turned it into a car that the masses have been impressed with enough to make it one of the fastest and best selling hybrids on the market.

Using the normal styling Toyota has become known for, the Prius uses the very best in hybrid technology to bring about one of the most fuel efficient cars on the market today. This is all coupled with the fact that they are also very appealing to the eye and there is no loss of power on any level, which is something that many car companies struggled with over the years. Everything on the Prius has been integrated into one smooth motion. There is no need to tell the car that you want the electric assist motor to kick in as it will do it automatically when the time is right. Then you will find that a lot of the features that you have come to know and love, such as power steering, have become integrated in the system as well. Rather then using the less efficient hydraulic based power steering system, the Prius uses the electric version, which takes less energy and fuel to push.

Thanks to the new advancements in this hybrid technology people now can switch between the two motors at their leisure. If the time comes when you do not need as much power you can simply turn off the gas engine and run on total electric. If you find that the batteries are getting a little bit low, then you can turn off the electric portion and run on gas alone.

Mercury Mariner Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-09T01:48:00.000-08:00

It is no secret that the Mercury brand of cars is part of the Ford Motor company. Mercury, like its cousin Lincoln, started out as independent companies but were bought out by the Ford company under the direction of the founder on his quest for domination in the world of automobiles. Since that time the name of all three makers has been with every dealership in the world. What most people fail to realize is the fact that Mercury is less of a work horse maker then Ford. For many years Mercury has released the higher trim levels of all their models, which are similar, but just a lot nicer then most of the Ford models that are released. This is the exact reason why so many of the Mercury models, while they seem to be duplicates of the Ford models, are so much more expensive. They are shall we say the higher class of Ford and the people who drive them expect something a bit more.

This can be seen easily in the Mercury Mariner. This hybrid SUV is closely related to the Ford Escape. Most often the models of the same type that are released by Ford and Mercury together are very similar, but there are many differences that are on going. Strangely enough most people cannot see the differences in the two models but they still lean towards the more expensive Mercury Mariner, whose sales have been far more brisk then that of the Ford Escape. In many respects from the mechanical stand point the two SUVs are identical. They both use the same motor and the same electric assist motor, but that is where the similarities stop. The interior of the Mariner is far more appealing to the higher class. Leather seats come standard with this model, as does on board tracking and a high end stereo system. The seating arrangements are even more complicated. The rear seats of the Mariner are automatic and can be folded down at the split to make room for cargo.

The Mercury Mariner has long been held as the best SUV hybrid on the market. The price difference between the two models of Ford and Mercury is great. There is little that one would not love about this model. You are getting all the fuel efficiency of the Escape with the high class styling that most have become accustomed too.

Renault Kangoo Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-08T00:07:00.001-08:00

Renault is a car company that has been around the block and back again since their creation. Not all of the history of this company is great. In the early 1980's the Renault company produced some fairly disappointing models, most of which were built in conjunction with other car companies like was the practice of the time. This proved to be one of the largest down turns in the entire world for some of these car companies. Most of the merging was on the part of Dodge, who was seeking a way to cut costs. These cost cutting measures included a partnership with Renault which ended up nearly bankrupting both companies in the end. The cars that were produced at this time of the world were nothing short of terrible. The engines were second rate and most people found that they would not be happy with them because of the major problems that most would find. The problems were then solved as the companies ended the partnerships and today Renault is a highly respected car company all over the world.

The Renault Kangoo is a rather interesting hybrid version. It has been produced constantly since 1997 and has always been pushed as a standard activity vehicle and not one for the every day driving. This has not stopped the sales of this rather strange looking cross between a car and a minivan, just the opposite actually. Viewing this vehicle makes one think of the older style cars from the UK and the other European nations. The box type cargo area is strange looking but it is also very impressive in the amount of room it offers. There is also the matter that most of these vehicles that are produced come standard with four wheel drive. This has made this one of the more popular hybrids in the foreign markets around the world where four wheel drive is much more important. The Kangoo has the electric assist hybrid system that has become standard with most of the vehicles in its class.

The Kangoo is popular with the crowd of mobility impaired persons because there is more then enough room in the vehicle to add a lift and store for wheel chairs and other such devices. This is coupled with the fact that the ride height on this vehicle has been increased, making the extra weight from the lift not even a factor as it has been in other cars.

Mazda Demio Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-06T22:53:00.000-08:00

Trying to sort out which car belongs to what company can be very confusing to say the least. In many cases there are cases when one car maker has tapped another smaller car maker to produce a vehicle which they will then brand as their own in a sort of trade off for the sake of profit. This is very common in the industry as the cost of having another company that is better equipped to deal with the new line is cheaper then revamping the entire factory to make room for another car. This is the case when it comes to the Mazda Demio. This car was created by Ford, but they never laid a finger on the car itself as it was completely built by Mazda, which is partly owned by the Ford Motor Company. Ford hit Mazda with the task of creating a small car for the market that would then be branded as their own. The answer came in the form of the Mazda Demio, also known as the Ford Fiesta.

The Mazda Demio is a strange hybrid. The hybrid part of this car has nothing to do with the fuel economy of the vehicle, but instead is meant to aid in traction control. An electric motor is added to the rear of the car and is meant to power the back wheels when needed since the car is actually a front wheel drive. This is the idea that Ford had in answer to the problems with the front wheel drive cars of the time being too light in the rear end and fish tailing all over the place on slippery roads. The concept worked well and the fuel economy of the vehicle suffered very little since it was nothing more then an electric motor housed in the rear. This was a great improvement over the standard rear wheel drive vehicles which were deemed to be far safer on the roads then the front wheel drives were.

Ford eventually ended the production of this vehicle when it announced that it would be creating its own version of the Mazda Demio. This did not stop Mazda in the slightest. They simply announced that the new Mazda 2 would be released with nearly the same design and a lot more features then its close cousin the Demio. Mazda made a smart move as they have created a far greater car and taken the time to listen to their customers. Ford's version fell flat on its face and they had to go back to the drawing board but the next generations of the Mazda model are still available and highly popular.

Dodge Durango Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-05T23:09:00.001-08:00

The history of Dodge is one of strange disappointments and then some major come backs that have launched the company into the top lines of the industry. During the 1980's Dodge rolled out a line of seemingly well built yet inexpensive automobiles and the public began snapping them up. Well it was not long before the bottom started falling out this whole time period. The cars were anything but well made and the problems started happening. The auto maker had went with a cost cutting measure that turned them upside down and nearly drove them bankrupt. They had decided to run a deal where all the new Dodge company models would feature foreign made motors because there was a large price break. Well the motors turned out to be nothing more then junk and they ended up having a huge down turn in sales as nothing was selling amid these disappointments. Beginning in the early 1990's Dodge decided to get back to their grass roots. They introduced the highly popular Ram truck with a new design. Today they are back where they should be and making waves by once again offering the Hemi motor in many of their vehicles.

The Dodge Durango is one such vehicle. The five liter Hemi V8 has been added to the new Dodge Durango and this has made the public very happy. There has been a definite problem though. Thanks to the ever increasing price of gas, the V8 is no longer a popular motor and Hemi does not offer anything less. To answer that issue the Dodge company has decided to roll out the hybrid version of the Dodge Durango, complete with the Hemi V8 motor for the 2008 model year. This has the entire industry in fits as this will be one of the biggest things since the invention of the hybrid. In most cases the hybrids that are created require all new motors. With the new Durango the same Hemi V8 that is now available will have the new electric assist motors attached to improve the gas mileage and the emissions of this widely popular model.

The Durango will feature the new Advanced Hybrid System 2, which is a shared system that was devised in partnership with GM. This system will make the Durango one of the first full hybrid full size SUVs in the entire world. The Dodge company has stated that they expect the new system to increase the Durango's mpg rating to at least thirty miles per gallon in the city, which is practically unheard of for a vehicle that size.

Daihatsu Hijet Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-04T23:25:00.001-08:00

Some car maker names do not ring a bell with the people of the United States and that is normal because there are so many and they do not always actively market their cars in the US as a matter of slow sales and export taxes that found their way into the world of today. This is the case with Daihatsu and their models like the Hijet. Unlike the other car companies from Japan, the Daihatsu company is completely independent of anyone else other then in their sales range. The cars that they produce are made solely by their factories since the early 1960's. This would stand until the early 1990's when the company merged with super giant Toyota to create one of the largest foreign born car companies in the entire world. This has served both of these companies well as they work towards building the best there is in cars for the people in need of a better mpg rating.

The Hijet has been in existence since the early days of Daihatsu and was actually their first model to hit the market. The models include pick up trucks, cargo vans and mini cars, all of which are highly popular in Japan as they meet all of the requirements for the tax credits on small, fuel efficient vehicles in the country. For this reason the company decided to make the Hijet into a hybrid vehicle to perhaps gain some world wide appeal to the models. This has served them well and the company is now reaching a much wider market with the Hijet since it became the first pick up truck to be listed as a mild hybrid and receive the highest mile per gallon rating of any model in its class. The style and design of the hybrid version of the Hijet is very similar to the gas only version. They made very few changes in the manner of how the vehicle looks as opposed to how it performs when on the road.

The Hijet unit is very different then a lot of the hybrids that are currently on the road. The electric motor and the gas motor are built as one unit rather then two separate ones which is the norm for these kinds of vehicles. The electric motor resides behind the gas motor and attaches to the transmission, which is the concept that was created by Toyota for their line of hybrids, like the Prius.

Ford Escape Hybrid Car Review

2008-02-04T00:35:00.001-08:00

The long troubled car maker that is Ford has been trying to bust into the hybrid game for quite a long time. The main problem they were having is the changing of the designs rather then sticking with the formula that has worked with the cars and trucks that have been selling for so long. They finally caught on to this concept when they launched the Ford Escape. This vehicle is a cousin to the Bronco II that was so popular as a smaller version of the SUV that was made popular by OJ Simpson and the like. Of course the design was not completely Ford. Using their shares in Mazda, they venture into a joint development deal where Mazda would help defray the costs of developing a hybrid SUV for the ever growing market. This was a smart move for Ford as they were getting nailed in the market for not having a mid sized SUV available since they discontinued the Bronco II.

The Ford Escape is very similar in design to the Jeep Cherokee, and many of the Cherokee drivers have taken a liking to the hybrid version of the Escape. Thanks to the hybrid technology being employed, the Escape is about seventy-five percent more efficient then the gas version. This is something that has really put Ford on the hybrid map. The world was hungry for a SUV that was efficient and thanks to the Escape they now have that option. Using electric assist motor technology the Escape is capable of being either total electric, electric and gas together, or just gas depending on the desire of the driver. There is only a slight loss of horsepower with the total electric running and that is due to the fact that the batteries must constantly be recharging themselves as the car is decelerating or braking. Most often the driver will not even notice the loss of power.

The Ford Escape under went a major over haul for the 2007 model year. Knowing that it look a bit too much like other SUVs, they decided that the Escape needed a completely new design. This new design has become very popular. The curves are much more soft and the front end is completely new, taking nothing from the original. This hybrid is also available in Europe as the Maverick, not to be confused with the car from the late 1970s that was made by Ford.

AC Propulsion tzero Hybrid car Review

2008-02-01T23:17:00.000-08:00

Some things were never meant to be and that can be sad when it comes to some of the highly styled and very important cars of our time. This is the reason why so many car makers are interested in the ability to raise the mpg rating on their cars but they are still struggling to understand how they will be able to accomplish this. There is a high cost that comes with creating some cars and this is one of the reasons why so many of the new hybrids were long in the waiting to hit the market. The technology for these cars has been around for a long time but to make it affordable the companies had to wait until the price of production would drop to a new level. It has taken more then ten years for this kind of thing to occur, and the first hybrid cars are now becoming popular on the market. Sadly they are anything but sporty and are more akin to those that a family man would drive when he knows that money must be saved to keep the family going.

This is exactly what happened with the AC Propulsion tzero hybrid. The tzero was the first of its kind. A hybrid like the world has never seen and may never see again. Using a kit car design this company created the very first hybrid sports car and the world has never been the same. This car is a fiberglass body with the sleek styling that gives it the appearance of being from Italy, like a Ferrari or the like. Completely aerodynamic, the tzero works with the best of all the features, including double wish bone suspension and a beautiful gear ratio that would make any car guy quiver in his boots. Powered by more then six thousand lithium batteries, this car is amazing in the way that it can move. There is nothing in the hybrid market that can even come close to it.

The tzero is capable of doing zero to sixty in just over three seconds. The batteries have a three hundred mile range which is impressive considering the power source is very similar to that of a laptop or a cellular telephone. But there is more to this car that meets the eye. There is the backtracking trailer which is an impressive option. The trailer contains a gasoline engine that acts in conjunction with the electric motor for the car. It is said to get about thirty miles to the gallon on the highway and can run at speeds of sixty to eighty miles per hour with ease.

Sadly only three of these cars have ever been produced due to their high cost of production. Those who love them are hoping that someone will pick it up and perhaps run with the concept to make the hybrids a bit more sporty.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid car Review

2008-01-31T00:50:00.002-08:00

Since the United States is so obsessed about things needing to be larger there is the thought process by many car makers that the new hybrids need to be large. The world has never seen a new brand of car like the SUV that made such a splash in the industry and when they were introduced they brought about the best in the consumer and buying public. It was not long though before the SUV began to fall out of favor. This came on the tails of the rising gas prices and the fact that people could no longer afford gas and insurance on the large vehicles that they had come to love. For this reason people began to sell off the SUVs they owned and got back to the old adage that smaller is better when it comes to fuel mileage and so on. Thankfully companies like Toyota sought to change all of that. This is the reason why the Toyota company released the Toyota Highlander hybrid SUV and the hungry public has been all too happy to receive it.

The Highlander hybrid is being built and updated on the same level as the Toyota Avalon, the most popular foreign truck model in the entire world. Since releasing the hybrid version of the Highlander, Toyota has seen a definite up swing in sales as people are now realizing that they no longer have to give up the size and safety of the SUV because of the horrible price of gas. Using the multiple electric motor concept that has made the Toyota hybrids famous, the Highlander reaches mpg ratings in the middle to high thirties which is very impressive for the size of the vehicle to say the least. There are very few all gas models on the road that can boast such an impressive rating and few people have anything bad to say about the Highlander.

The Highlander is impressive in not only the mpg rating area, but also in the style area. The design of the SUV is aimed at the new younger generation that seeks to have the best of the best when it comes to style. This new hybrid model has been raved about in the media and the Hollywood stars that have come forward with their models have made it all that much better. Thanks to this success the Toyota company plans to release a completely updated model for the 2008 year of sales.

Hybrid Cars

2008-01-31T00:50:00.001-08:00

A regular car uses an internal combustion engine with a fuel-air mixture powering it. A hybrid car on the other hand powers itself not only using the conventional means but it also uses a variety of alternate means like fuel-cells and solar-energy to turn the wheels. That makes it more environment friendly and increases its mileage.

Some people think that hybrid cars are the cars of the future. They say it is what we will be driving in a ten years time. It is true that hybrid cars have many advantages. But we must not forget the shortcomings of the hybrid car.

Gas and oil are non renewable sources of energy. They also cause much damage to the environment. There is a danger they might soon also be depleted from the earth. On the other hand, hybrid cars are environment friendly. They source of energy they use is renewable and therefore they pose much less threat to the world. Hybrid cars are efficient and save money on fueling.

Performance wise, hybrid cars are rubbish. At the stage they currently are, they are more than likely to break down after traveling every few miles. If you buy a hybrid car, leave for office an hour earlier than you used to before, because hybrid cars are much slower than normal cars. Because they have very less energy to run with, they are made with as light bodies as possible. We want to protect the environment to protect our children. But if you're planning to buy them a hybrid car to do so, the chances of them being flattened by some bigger car are far more. So if you want to keep your children safe, why not buy them a Land Rover instead? And then there's the matter of power again. With the amount of power a hybrid can provide, imagine the trouble and time it would take for you to reach a high altitude point with a fairly steep road, that is, if you would ever manage to get up there on that car.

Whether hybrid cars will be the future of the car industry, one cannot say for sure. But one thing is certain, where it stands today is quite for from a point where it will replace the petrol or gas powered cars.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Shopping, and Sports

What Are The Two Different Forms Of Hybrid Cars?

2008-01-29T01:23:00.000-08:00

Currently, there is a lot of interest in hybrid cars due to the gas prices of recent years. There are two forms of hybrid cars. The first is a parallel hybrid, where there is both a gas and electric supply attached to the transmission of the car and the car is able to use both sources when running. The second is a series hybrid, where the gas portion powers a generator and the generator supplies electricity for the motor to run. These both improve the efficiency of the car, which is why hybrids are favored today. The only drawback for some consumers is the size.

The reason for this is that smaller cars help maintain the efficiency of the car. With a big car the engine is heavier and so when speeding or traveling up an incline, more energy is needed. Further more, because of the size, the hybrid car has an engine that requires less energy to perform its tasks. Then there is the cylinder displacement, which in a large vehicle takes more power. And in terms of cylinders, the smaller hybrid car doesn?t need as many to perform.

The Honda Insight is one of the smallest hybrid cars on the market. It was designed to carry two people. There is hardly any space for cargo or luggage. This design improves the fuel efficiency considerably, but the lack of space is a drawback.

The Toyota Prius has more space than the Insight. It can fit more than four people and the hatchback trunk can carry more cargo or luggage. This design has won Toyota awards and honors but for a family car, today?s consumers are used to having much more room.

Then there is the Honda Civic Hybrid. This car is the same size as a regular Honda Civic. The compartment spaces are maximized as much as possible in this model. Again, for the consumer who is used to driving an SUV or a minivan, this may still be not enough.

And for those consumers, there are some SUV and minivan hybrids available, however they don?t perform well. The efficiency has been compromised by the size. The price tag of these cars is a couple of thousands of dollars more than the regular models so in the end it may not be worth it in terms of gas mileage. So if you are buying a hybrid, it is best to go for the smaller cars and if you are looking for something larger, a hybrid may not be worth it.

Jackson Porter is a staff writer at Automobile Enthusiast and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Environmental Central.

Hybrid Cars Could Help In Conserving Energy And Reducing Pollution

2008-01-28T01:12:00.001-08:00

With the gas prices being so high, more and more people are becoming aware of how valuable energy is in our daily lives. Hybrid cars show how energy can be conserved and pollution reduced. The cleanest non hybrid car can put about 90 percent smog pollution in the air versus the hybrid.

The Honda insight was the first hybrid on the US market in 1999. It is electrically powered and can go 61 mpg on city roads and 70mpg on the highway. Then in 2000, Toyota brought the Prius to the market, it goes 52 mpg in the city and around 45 mpg on the highway. The Honda Civic hybrid came out in 2002 with 46mpg on city roads and about 51mpg on the highway. Since then there have been other hybrid models such as, the Chevy Silverado, the Dodge Ram pickup and the Ford Escape SUV.

Hybrids are more efficient for a number of reasons. For one, the battery of a hybrid lasts longer. It is equipped with two energy supplies- the gas and electricity. The car is made of lighter materials, that means less energy is used. The engine in a non-hybrid is heavier so it requires more power to accelerate and to go up an incline. And with a hybrid there are fewer cylinders.

Hybrids have less internal machinery. The energy and time needed to move a cylinder up and down in a non hybrid is greater. To start the car, the non hybrid engine needs more power because it has more cylinders. In addition, each cylinder uses more fuel for cylindrical displacement.

There are some tips to keep in mind when driving a hybrid to maximize energy and mileage productivity.

Drive slowly-Aerodynamic drag increases if you drive fast. If you slow down you will save energy.

Drive at a constant speed- Increasing your spend and then slowing down wastes fuel.

Try not to break suddenly-The motor in a hybrid is like a generator. Energy is lost if you stop abruptly. Try to give you car some recovery time.

Jackson Porter is a staff writer at Environmental Central and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Automobile Enthusiast.

What Do I Need to Know Before Buying a Hybrid Car?

2008-01-24T23:19:00.000-08:00

The days of 50 cent gas prices have vanished along with sock hops and soda shops. Now day's gas is closer to $2.50 a gallon and kids go to raves. What can be done? Are we destined to spend more on gas for a week than we do on groceries? Enter the hybrid car. Every year, more hybrid cars hit the market, and for good reason, consumers today are beginning to demand more fuel efficiency from their cars. If you are interested in purchasing a hybrid car, you are not alone, but you may not know what to look for while car shopping. The following tips will help you plan what you want in a car and how to find it on a lot.

Hybrid car dealers also have their own language, you should know how to speak "hybrid" before you decide to go shopping for one of these vehicles. You will need to know that these cars are, on average, have a 90 percent lower emission rate than traditional cars and are therefore known as Ultra Low-Emission vehicles.

Research is so important when contemplating the purchase of a hybrid car. Thankfully, most people have access to the internet and therefore have access to information such as manufacturers' websites. These websites may be some of the most valuable information that you will find. They will contain information that will lead you to repair shops, vehicle maintenance requirements and other such information that is specific to hybrid cars.

However, if needed, the engines will run simultaneously as well. This will happen if more power is needed than either the electric or combustion engine alone can produce. An example of this type of situation would be accelerating on an expressway.

Before you decide to tackle the hybrid car market, there are some general points of knowledge that you need to be aware of. For example, this type of car is often referred to as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle or HEV. It will have two engines as opposed to a traditional vehicle, which has one. The engines that are found in an HEV are combustion and electric, having the two engines allows the car to switch from one engine to the other when power begins to run low.

Visit http://find-hybrid-cars.info or http://hybrid-cars-central.info to learn more about all hybrid cars and honda hybrid car.

Get Hybrid Gas Mileage in Your Regular Car

2008-01-24T23:18:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that hybrid cars get better fuel economy than their "regular fuel" counterparts. Unfortunately, chances are you probably don't own a hybrid car. Thankfully, that doesn't have to stop you from getting great gas mileage.

Below are several things you can do to help your vehicle get hybrid like fuel economy without having to shell out the extra money for an actual hybrid car:

Remove all excess weight from your vehicle. The rule of thumb is for every extra 100 pounds you carry in your car, you reduce its fuel economy by 2%. A good place to start is in the trunk of your car. Do you really need to carry your golf clubs around all the time?
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Again, the rule of thumb is driving with under inflated tires will reduce your fuel economy by 2%, on average. You should try and check your tire pressure at least once per month.
Watch your speed. According to FuelEconomy.gov, for every 5 miles per hour you drive above 60 mph, you reduce your fuel economy by 6%. That's a pretty big incentive to just hang out in the right lane.
Reduce the amount of time you are in idle. Again, according to FuelEconomy.gov, your car wastes up to 17% of its fuel by simply being in idle. Whether you turn the car off when you're sitting at a long stop light, or park the car when you pick up something from a friend's house, you need to find ways to reduce the amount of time your car sits in idle.
Use moderate acceleration. Rapid acceleration, coupled with accelerating in to stops (as opposed to coasting) can decrease your fuel economy by as much as 33%! So, the next time the light turns green, don't gun it.

It may seem unrealistic, using the above tips should help you increase your fuel economy by between 10 and 20%. You may not be able to get the same fuel economy as an actual hybrid car, but following these items should get you pretty close.

Please visit Daily Fuel Economy Tip for more tips like this. The better driver you are, the more gas and money you'll save. It's a win/win situation!

Hybrid Cars Save Money

2008-01-23T01:56:00.000-08:00

Hybrid Cars Save Money If you have been sitting on the fence about deciding to purchase a Hybrid car, you no longer have any excuse to be squeamish. Consumer Reports just released a study this August that confirms that Hybrid cars will in fact save you money over the long run.

The combination of generous tax credits along with the fuel saving nature of these vehicles is what makes them a good long term value. The difference in up front cost between a hybrid and its traditional counterpart is often between $1200 and $7000. Thats a wide gap, and can be enough to leave you wondering if its worth it.

The good news is that if you act fast and purchase your new Hybrid car before the tax credits phase out in 2007, alot of that upfront additional cost will come back to you in the form of a tax credit. Meanwhile, you will enjoy long term savings on fuel costs.

Did you know that as of 2006, Hybrids account for only 1% of new car sales in the US? As gas prices rise, the ratio will likely change as people seek to cut costs out of rising fuel prices. Unfortunately, if you wait too long you will no longer be able to take advantage of the tax credits that are being phased out. If you are considering purchasing a Hybrid car, you are better to do it now.

The study, conducted by Consumer Reports assumes that you keep your Hybrid car for several years, long enough to notice the difference in cost of filling up. Of course, the more you drive to work, school, or on vacation, the faster and greater your savings will add up.

If you are researching Hybrid cars, be sure to check out http://www.hybridrevolution.org This site lists updated information on all makes and models of Hybrids available and soon to be available.
Amber Lowery is an author and webmaster. You can read more about Hybrid cars by visiting her site: Hybrid Cars or by visiting: Hybrid Cars

Is A Hybrid Car For You

2008-01-19T00:27:00.002-08:00

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.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Outdoors, and Recreation.

Saving Big With Hybrid Cars

2008-01-19T00:27:00.001-08:00

In America, a standard automobile gets an average of 20.4 miles per gallon. With the innovative hybrid technology, consumers can expect to get a lot more mileage for their dollar. According to researchers, the Honda Insight was designed specifically for the purpose of getting the best gas mileage and is said to be the current industry leader in this type of hybrid savings.

Just how much of a difference will consumers see with the Honda Insight hybrid cars? Studies have shown that hybrid cars featuring a manual transmission will get approximately 60 miles per gallon in the city and 66 miles per gallon on the highway. Hybrid cars with an automatic transmission generally provide slightly less than 57 miles per gallon in the city and 56 miles per gallon on the highway.

The brand new 2006 Honda Civic hybrid cars are only manufactured with an automatic transmission and provide an approximate 50 miles per gallon on the highway and/or the city.

As expected, hybrid cars will get better mileage per gallon than that of a hybrid SUVs. The Ford Escape, for example, provides 36 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway. Even with these numbers, the hybrid Escape is rated to provide better gas mileage than the non-hybrid Escape, which is only said to provide 22 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

The most popular reason for consumers to purchase hybrid cars is because they are economical. With the recent rise in gasoline prices, consumers were left searching for an automobile that could provide better gas mileage and found just that in hybrid cars. In addition to their fuel friendly design, hybrid cars are no longer confined to one or two cookie cutter designs. In fact, today's hybrid cars are available in a variety of sizes, colors and are manufactured by a several automobile makers.

With all of the aforementioned benefits, many wonder just how much the convenience of saving money will cost. Surprisingly, hybrid cars are not drastically priced above other non-hybrid automobiles. In fact, hybrid cars & SUVs can be found in prices ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for standard models, but may cost more depending on chosen upgrades. The new hybrid cars are available in the look of typical highway automobiles or those designed with a unique flair. Either way, the manufacturers of hybrid cars believe that while appearance is important, the most important thing about these new technologically advanced autos is the fact that they are both environmentally and wallet friendly.

Find more about auto buying guides and how to find the cars price and many other automotive news and resources on http://www.autonews24h.com/

How To Choose The Best Tire For Your Hybrid Car

2008-01-18T01:16:00.000-08:00

Those who are unfamiliar with hybrid cars may not know that most come with new innovative tire designs. When replacing your tires on your hybrid car, you should stick with the low-rolling resistance tires. Those who own hybrid cars however know that these special low-rolling resistance tires are the best thing since the hybrid design itself. Consumers are definitely not the only ones with their eyes on the new low-rolling resistance tires however. Every major tire maker is getting in on the trend with new tires coming out frequently.

You may wonder what low-rolling resistance actually means. The name is a measurement of how tires roll on the road. If the tire rolls easily, then it is considered a low-rolling resistant tire. One benefit of these innovative tires is that they minimize the energy used by the tire. Tires use energy as heat in three different locations. First, there is heat between the tire and the road. Secondly, there is heat between the tire and the sidewall. Lastly, there is heat between the tire and the rim. The great thing about the low-rolling resistance tires is that they maintain traction, handling, and durability. When used with special suspension and brakes, they reduce resistance even more. The tires go through all of the approval standards of normal tires, so you can be sure they are safe to use.

Now that you know more about tires, you may wonder how they can make tires that reduce the energy usage. The answer is that tire manufacturers are using several different elements to create low-rolling resistance tires. First, they focus on the design of the tread. Different companies are using different designs, so you may seem many different designs coming to the consumer soon. After choosing a great design, they also choose lighter and stronger materials and reduce the sidewall to reduce flexing of the tire. The tires are made to run without air pressure. Most of them can still be used for up to 50 miles with no air pressure whatsoever. This is an amazing trait of these tires. With tires that can run without air pressure, you really have no need to carry around a jack or other tools for changing tires. You would have plenty of time to get to the mechanic shop or home before your tire would be useless.

Studies have shown that using low-rolling resistant tires on your vehicle can save on your gas budget. These efficient tires are fitted for each vehicle, which in turn will make your vehicle run smoother and more efficiently. It is estimated that you can save up to 6% on gas usage when using low-rolling resistance tires on your car. When considering these tires, which tend to cost about $40 more than regular tires for a complete set, think about what you could save at the pump. You may be spending a little more when purchasing the tire set, but you will save more than you are spending in the long run.

Although these great tires can save you bundles, low-rolling resistance tires have had a few complaints. Some drivers don't like the way they handle on the road. But most low-rolling resistance tires have great tread, if you are a wild driver, they may not be as great for handling. However, slow or cautious drivers have seen no negative change. It is more of a personal preference when it comes to how they handle.

Consumers are taking the benefits of the new low-rolling resistance tires very seriously. California has even passed legislation that requires all replacement tires sold in the state to be as efficient as tires on new vehicles, which are mostly low-rolling resistance tires. This is a huge step toward the low-rolling resistance trend. More states are considering legislation as well.

When looking for new tires for your hybrid, be sure to check out the low-rolling resistance options. It is likely that your old tires were low-rolling resistance tires, so you will be used to the features they offer, whether or not you knew about their benefits before. You may be spending a little more in the beginning, but you will make up the upfront cost in gas savings almost immediately.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Get auto parts at http://www.car-parts-plus.com/

Hybrid Cars for a Greener Wallet and Environment

2008-01-17T02:14:00.001-08:00

Hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs are a great alternative to regular cars. Although they are usually more expensive than the standard model, by $2,000 - $3,000, depending on the make and model, the savings that you can get with a hybrid over the course of the life of the car more than make up for that. Furthermore, by buying and driving a hybrid car, you reduce our nation's dependency on foreign oil and you show marketers and car-manufacturing companies that there is, in fact, a demand for hybrid vehicles.

It is true that hybrid cars are more expensive than the models with a standard engine. However, there are many benefits that you get with the hybrid that offset that cost over the lifetime oh hybrid cars. For example, a Honda Civic hybrid may yield between 10 and 15 miles more per gallon than a standard Honda Civic, depending on your driving habits. With gas at $3.00 a gallon and going up fast, this can translate into huge savings for you at the pump. Furthermore, many states as well as the federal government offer tax incentives for buying hybrid cars, which can translate to even more savings for you come tax time.

Reducing our country's dependency is at the top of most people's list of political goals, irrespective of your political leanings. Not only do hybrid cars represent a fantastic opportunity to save money, they also use less gas which translates to less dependency on foreign oil. This is important not just for the safety of the country and it's citizens, but it allows our government officials to do the right things and make the moral choices in troubled areas of the world without worrying about how our economy will survive without the foreign oil.

Finally, by buying and driving a hybrid car you are showing car manufacturers that there is, in fact, a demand for cars that leave a smaller environmental footprint. Some companies have been skeptical of transitioning their models to hybrid engines because they think that the market for the technology is too small to be profitable. Toyota has proven the U. S. automakers wrong with record demand for the Prius and waiting lists as long as six months.

By buying a hybrid car, you are ensuring the availability of a wide selection of hybrid cars in a variety of price ranges for yourself and for others in the future. Furthermore, if we are to lessen the environmental impact of driving, we need to support those companies that invest in being green to show other companies that they can make a profit and be good to the environment at the same time.

Green cars today, blue skies tomorrow.

Lance Freeman writes about hybrid cars and other technology within the automotive and environmental fields.

Hybrid Cars - The Cars Of The Times!

2008-01-13T22:59:00.001-08:00

Hybrid cars are a fusion of technologies. Unlike standard cars moving on a single propulsion system, hybrid cars are driven by the power of multiple propulsion systems. Most common among these hybrid vehicles are those cars that use gasoline and electrical energy as their source of power. Serious experimentations with ethanol or plant based oils are also being conducted.

History The history of hybrid cars runs back to the time when inventors were strongly battling to switch over from steam-powered automobiles to electrically driven carriages. At best, these could be termed as trials and were limited to working with just one, two or few models. Success on a mass-scale came about the beginning of the twentieth century; however, it was not until 1999 (on the verge of the 21st century) that America saw the launching of the hybrid car on a commercial-scale, to be bought and used by the mass.

Components

The hybrid car driving mechanism consists batteries, an electric motor, a fuel tank, a gasoline engine, a generator and a mode of transmission. Each part has its definitive role and keeps a hybrid car running.

How Do They Work?

As said, the dual mechanisms employed in these hybrid vehicles make use of both gasoline and electric energy to set the vehicles into motion - while gas cause the internal combustion engines (ICEs) to function, the electric batteries supply power to the car's electric motors. The recent car models are even converting kinetic energy (produced by the engine) into electric energy to charge the batteries.

Conclusion Hybrid cars with their comparatively smaller gasoline engines contribute to the pollution-free, greener environment cause. Moreover, with their sleek, aerodynamic designing and ultra light materials joining hands to give these vehicles driving force of about 60-90 horsepower, you can be sure that the hybrid cars will rule the automobile industry until the arrival of new eco-friendly, efficient cars.

David Maillie holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight repair, cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: MDwholesale.com

5 Things to Know Before You Buy a Hybrid Car

2008-01-13T22:58:00.001-08:00

With gas prices rising with every tank of gas, the popularity of hybrid cars is rising almost as quickly. The profile of the buyer of hybrid cars is changing as well, no longer are they seen as fringe environmentalists, they are the average American citizen who is tired of paying outrageous prices for a tank of gas and then not being able to afford to drive anywhere but back and forth to work. So, if you want to purchase a hybrid car, where do you start? What should you look for? The following information will help you navigate your way through the growing market of fuel-efficient automobiles that are on the market today.

1- Before you decide to tackle the hybrid car market, there are some general points of knowledge that you need to be aware of. For example, this type of car is often referred to as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle or HEV. It will have two engines as opposed to a traditional vehicle, which has one. The engines that are found in an HEV are combustion and electric, having the two engines allows the car to switch from one engine to the other when power begins to run low.

2- However, if needed, the engines will run simultaneously as well. This will happen if more power is needed than either the electric or combustion engine alone can produce. An example of this type of situation would be accelerating on an expressway.

3- Hybrid car dealers also have their own language, you should know how to speak "hybrid" before you decide to go shopping for one of these vehicles. You will need to know that these cars are, on average, have a 90 percent lower emission rate than traditional cars and are therefore known as Ultra Low-Emission vehicles.

4- Before you buy a hybrid car, it is imperative that you take into account your current driving patterns. If you do a lot of highway driving, you will not likely see much in the way of fuel savings. However, if you are the type of driver that mostly stays in traffic that requires frequent stopping and starting, you will be able to see significant fuel savings. This is because in these types of driving conditions the vehicle is able to utilize the electrical engine, using lower RPM's than a traditional car does.

5- Research is so important when contemplating the purchase of a hybrid car. Thankfully, most people have access to the internet and therefore have access to information such as manufacturers' websites. These websites may be some of the most valuable information that you will find. They will contain information that will lead you to repair shops, vehicle maintenance requirements and other such information that is specific to hybrid cars.

Visit http://hybrid-cars-central.info or http://best-hybrid-cars.net to learn more about ford hybrid car and hybrid car toyota.

How Cost Effective Are Hybrid Cars?

2008-01-10T23:15:00.002-08:00

There seems to be no stopping the oil companies, as the price at the pumps continues to rise to astronomical heights for a myriad of reasons, valid or not. Civil wars in Nigeria, international conflicts in Iraq, hurricanes and other storms at home and abroad are all reasons gas companies posit to defend their outrageous gouging.

In the face of rising gas costs, many consumers are beginning to consider the option of a hybrid vehicle- one which operates on both gas and electricity. All of the models of hybrid car will save money in terms of gas expenditures, but are they really effective when all of the costs of maintenance and other considerations are factored in?

Right off the bat, consider the cost of buying a hybrid vehicle. Depending on the model, hybrid vehicles can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 more than the equivalent non-hybrid model. These prices need to be stacked up against the savings that a hybrid car owner would gain in gas, factoring in the mileage needed. One report by Edmunds, for example, shows that huge price increases in the cost of gas would need to take place, or the vehicle owner would need to put on some serious mileage, in order for the hybrid models to gain a sufficient price saving advantage when stacked up against initial purchases. The one exception in the study was the Toyota Prius, which compared very effectively in terms of initial cost with the Camry model. The consumer watchdog points out, however, that as the hybrid cars become increasingly more available as a reflection of demand the prices can be expected to drop, making them more cost effective when it comes to an initial investment.

Also important to keep in mind is the fact that the hybrid cars have a much more specialized system than the standard vehicle, and will therefore require a more specialized mechanic when it comes time for any repairs. Most consumer report features consider hybrid cars to require an investment of at least five years in order to break even as far as initial costs go, and do not take into account the possibilities of damage that requires fixing to the power train of the vehicles.

It seems as though, at least for the time being, the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for the average consumer may not be the best option when it comes to saving money. It is important to keep several things in mind, however, when considering purchasing a hybrid model. Many consumers are choosing to purchase these cars because they represent a significant development in terms of environmental concerns over standard models. They also mean that as a whole, Western nations will become less dependent on oil as the sole means of power.

Finally, it is imperative to keep in mind that the hybrid car is a very new technology. Developed only within the last few years, the technology is still in the infant stages, where costs will continue to be high. Hybrid cars also have only a small percentage of the market right now as well. As time passes, the development of the hybrid technology will begin to push prices down to the point where hybrids are more than competitive with the traditionally fueled models of the past.

Frank Little is a hybrid car enthusiast and maintains a website with hybrid car forums.

How Hybrid Cars Work

2008-01-10T23:15:00.001-08:00

From the first moment you step into a hybrid car, you will notice that a multitude of things are vastly different than your conventional vehicle. Turn the ignition key, and you will notice just how quiet these things are. For example, if you happen to be sitting in a Toyata Prius the car's electric generator will quietly fire up the conventional internal combustion engine, or "ICE". As the ICE comes up to operating temperature it will automatically be shut off, which brings the car's electric motor completely online. The gasoline engine will remain in a dormant state until it is further needed. The Toyata Prius will remain completely in electric mode as long as speeds fall under the 15 M.P.H. limit. As long as you don't exceed that speed, you are driving an entirely electric powered vehicle which is using absolutely no gasoline, nor releasing any harmful emissions from its exhaust system. Obviously, if you drive a bit more aggressively, or exceed 15 M.P.H. the ICE will again come online to produce the necessary, additional power required. A computer is constantly calculating the power requirements and sending this data to a device called a power split, which connects the electric and gasoline engines through a series of gears.

Things work slightly differently if you happen to be in a Honda Insight. The gasoline engines in these vehicles remain online from first start until they reach operating temperature, and come to a first stop. The ICE will become completely dormant at that point. As soon as you remove your foot from the brake pedal, shift into gear, or depress the accelerator the combustion will again come online to provide additional power as required. The variety of available transmissions in the Honda line of vehicles has made it necessary to utilize a bit more elaborate system of engaging and disengaging the electric motors. The dash panel will keep you constantly informed of the amount of electrical assist that is being provided. All the while a computer is in the background calculating how much power is required, and allowing the electrical assist to occur. This type of system allows for near conventional car performance, while achieving much greater fuel economy.

The nickel metal hybrid battery systems in these vehicles are quite fascinating. Again, a computer is constantly making calculations, sending power from the batteries to the electric motors when required. When the vehicle is in braking mode the electric motor begins to act as a generator, supplying the batteries with their needed charge. The computer is constantly monitoring the amount of charge in the batteries and maintaining a 30% - 80% charge at all times. These minimum and maximum levels are what allow these batteries to last in excess of 200,000 miles. That's a quite impressive lifecycle for battery technology, and a great thing as hybrid car batteries are quite expensive.

While this is a very simplistic overview of a very complex system, it does give you a basic understanding of the inner workings of the hybrid cars of today, and will hopefully be of assistance as you continue your quest of buying a hybrid car.

Thomas Manning is a highly experienced automotive technician and author, who frequently contributes to the hybrid cars information website http://www.hybrid-rides.com

Six Easy Steps to Buying a Hybrid Car

2008-01-08T23:19:00.001-08:00

Buying a hybrid car is a big decision, even more so nowadays because there are many more hybrid cars and hybrid trucks to chooes from. Having a larger choice is both a good and bad thing. Not only do you have to decide which company to buy from but you also have to decide between getting a hybrid car or a hybrid truck or even a hybrid SUV. The decision can be simplified by knowing why you're buying the hybrid; the issue of saving gas mileage versus just getting a hybrid vehicle in order to say you are driving a hybrid.

Hybrid cars combine two or more sources of power, usually consisting of an electric motor that regenerates energy through braking power and a standard gasoline engine, Because of the regenerated electric power, you are able to use much less gasoline to get where you want to go, which is how a hybrid vehicle saves you money. A hybrid is not an electric vehicle, and does not have to be recharged at night or anything like that. A hybrid is simply a gas powered car with electrical motor assistance.

Many forms of hybrid cars, hybrid trucks, and hybrid SUV's are currently on the market or coming to market. These include but are not limited to the Toyota Prius, the Lexus GS 450h Hybrid, the Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid, the Toyota Highlander and 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid, and the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV.

Because of the large influx of hybrid cars, the cost premium of buying one has started to go down. President Bush even said that to cure our addiction to oil, we must invest in hybrid cars and other energy technology, so now is the time to consider buying one, especially with the world's oil fields being so unstable and gasoline rising almost daily.

Which leads us to the key question, how do you best go about buying a hybrid car? Of course the start of that answer lies in 6 simple steps, which I have titled HYBRID. * H - How to know if buying a hybrid is right for you. * Y--Your personal driving habits might determine your choice * B--Before you even think about buying, be aware of your options * R--Research thoroughly the manufacturer and dealer to get the best price * I--Investigate other dealers, and also check online, it may be cheaper to buy in another state and have the hybrid car shipped to you * D--Don't ever go by sticker price. A MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) is just that, a Suggestion, so if you have done all the previous steps you will be armed sometimes with even more information than the salesman, thus allowing you to have the upper hand in the negotiation.

What is a Hybrid vehicle? This article has the most current hybrid car information and benefits such as gas, tax, and more...

2008-01-08T23:17:00.000-08:00

Hybrid systems are engineered to increase performance, reduce emissions and maximize fuel efficiency with a mix of gasoline and electrical power. A hybrid does not need to be plugged into a power source to recharge, the electrical power is stored in batteries that are charged partly by the gas motor but also, ingeniously, by the energy released when you apply the brakes on your car.

Different amounts of electrical power are used at different speeds. At higher speeds, for example, the electric motor is just chipping in, while at lower ones it may take over entirely. To conserve fuel, all hybrids shut down the gasoline-powered engine during stops. Called an idle-stop feature, this not only saves fuel and reduces emissions, but cuts electrical consumption as well. A dashboard display will tell you how much power is coming from each source as you go faster and slower, which savvy drivers use to see which speeds get you the best fuel efficiency.

Think your hybrid only helps you save money at the pump? If you act now and buy a new hybrid, your vehicle can give you another break, a tax break. Here's what you need to know about the IRS's new-for-2006 "Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit."

The hybrid clean fuel tax deduction allows owners to combine two different types of credits ranging from $250 to $3400 deducted from the final tax bill and only the first 60,000 hybrid models sold are eligible for the full credit. The exact amount of a specific credit is based on a complex formula determined by vehicle weight, technology, fuel economy, and emissions data. The bottom line is you get more money for buying a more fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle.

With all their advanced technology, exceptional fuel economy and low emissions, hybrid vehicles are often referred to as the cars of the future. Due to the high demand, buying a hybrid may take a little more work than with a traditional vehicle. If you are thinking to get one, it's a good idea to get on a waiting list at your local dealership. For those who are flexible on colors and options, you will increase your odds of getting a hybrid much sooner.

*ref link: http://www.autosbargain.com/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=114&Itemid=76

Everyone tries to negotiate the best new car deal in town, but we simply don't know what the lowest price is.

AutosBargain.com is dedicated to find the lowest new car prices online. We receive hundreds of "vehicle purchased price" and update the best new car bargain daily. New car buyers will no longer have to negotiate blindly and save thousands of dollars on any new car.

I Hate Hybrid Cars!

2008-01-04T23:22:00.000-08:00

Drivers in the U.S. are buying hybrid vehicles, not because they want them, but because they can't afford to drive any other type of car. With gas prices setting all-time records and heading toward $4 per gallon, consumers are forced to drive a car that gets the most miles per dollar spent. That's an overpriced hybrid car.

The truth is that hybrids may get better mileage than a traditional car, but it's nothing to write home about. First, hybrids cost more. The slightly better mileage means that if you keep your hybrid car for from 3 to 5 years you may make up for the higher cost. That doesn't seem like such a good deal, does it? But it's all we have and that's why folks are buying the darn things.

The good news is that big improvements are on the way. AFS Trinity Power Corp. has been awarded a patent for a new flywheel technology that is expected to be used in second-generation flywheel/diesel hybrid trucks and buses.

This new flywheel within a flywheel technology is expected to make possible two key functions in both automobile and stationary power systems that utilize fuel cells and/or micro turbines. The problem is that these gadgets are constant power output devices, which means they can't speed up fast enough for acceptable acceleration and passing. The new flywheel gizmo may correct that.

Is this the huge breakthrough in automotive propulsion that we've been waiting for? Probably not, but it's an indication that a bunch of really smart people are working on the problem of developing a car that gets a million miles per gallon... or something like that.

President Bush recently signed a federal energy bill that encourages the use of fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles and offers substantial tax breaks. The bill proclaims that high-efficiency vehicles, either hybrid or diesel, will receive credits on a sliding scale based on efficiency. Let me translate - "credits" mean MONEY! The maximum credit for light-duty vehicles is expected to be about $3,400.

When Uncle Sam starts handing out cash, two exciting things begin happening. Number One: Lobbyist begin shoveling it into their pockets. Number two: Lights go on in garages all across the country as inventors strive to solve the problem. You might say they are burning the midnight oil - one of the few fuels that is not necessarily in short supply.

Some point out that there is already a system to make biodiesel from vegetable oils for as little as 70 cents a gallon. This fuel does not contribute to global warming, has no obnoxious odor and is overall pollutant-free. Did you know that years ago Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel engine to run on peanut oil? Nutty, huh?

Another alternative mentioned from time to time is alcohol fuel, or ethanol. It is usually made from fermented corn; it blends as much as 85 percent alcohol and 15 percent gasoline and runs gasoline engines very nicely. Oh, it has a minor drawback, if you consider being highly explosive a drawback. That stuff could turn a Morris Mini into a rocket ship!

Yes, I hate the hybrids... of today, but I just can't wait to see what's coming tomorrow.

Mark Walters writes about hybrid vehicles at http://www.hybridvehiclestar.com and offers a free course titled Car Buying Tips.

Why To Wait a Year for a Hybrid Car

2008-01-03T00:37:00.001-08:00

Hybrid cars are very popular vehicles in today's society. Hybrid cars combine the power of a gasoline engine with the environmental benefits of an electric engine to create what most consider being a better car. There are essentially two different types of hybrid cars on today's market. One type uses the gasoline engine to charge a battery. The battery then runs the electric motor in the car. The gasoline engine is reserved for situations where power is required. Another type never fully runs on the electric motor, but reserves that for situations where the car requires more power. Hybrid cars offer thirty to fifty miles per gallon of gasoline, and a host of special features that make them quite competitive with regular cars. They also, though, a price tag of three to five thousand dollars more than a typical car and waiting lists of six months to two years. There are, though, three good reasons to purchase a hybrid, despite the waiting list.

One excellent reason to purchase a hybrid car is to save money. Gas prices have been skyrocketing for the past two years. It hasn't been unusual over the course of the last several months to pay between two and three dollars per gallon of gasoline. If you live in a city or do an extensive amount of city driving, a hybrid is the car for you. Because some hybrids function on electric power only at low speeds, no gas is used during city driving. That means you could get up to fifty miles per gallon of gasoline just by driving to work each day. Since most traditionally built cars get less than twenty miles to a gallon of gasoline, you could be saving some serious cash. Some hybrids can go more than six hundred miles in between fill-ups, and that could save you more than six hundred and fifty dollars at the gas pump each year.

Another strong reason to purchase a hybrid car is to reduce pollution. City style driving is hard on a vehicle. As a result, cars produce more pollution while sitting in city traffic. Hybrid vehicles were built for this kind of a situation. Most hybrids produce ninety percent less harmful emissions than traditional vehicles do. Moreover, because many states are cracking down on emissions laws, this can save you in the long run. The government, both state and federal, offers tax incentives to purchase a hybrid vehicle. The internal revenue service alone offers up to one thousand dollars in the Clean Fuel Vehicle Tax Deduction program. Other local and state agencies offer similar deductions just to purchase a car that will help reduce pollution in our cities and neighborhoods. Additionally, it will help you feel good to know that you, personally, are doing something that will help our nation clear the air and eliminate the toxins we have spent so long adding to the atmosphere.

One final reason to purchase a hybrid car is to end dependency on oil as a power source. Oil powers everything from our homes to our cars. As a result, the United States is one of the leading countries in the demand for oil. This places us in a seriously problematic situation, as we cannot completely provide the oil we need for ourselves. Auto makers have continually pushed for more oil dependent cars like sport utility vehicles, large trucks, and minivans. Americans have bought into the bigger is better auto craze. The demand for oil goes up every day. Purchasing a hybrid, though, helps to tell the people around you as well as the government and the auto makers that you personally want fuel efficient technology that will stop robbing our natural resources and those of other countries as well as a fuel source that is not dependent on the help of other countries. Oil costs billions of dollars not only to purchase, but also to secure in trade agreements, to deal with the politics of other nations, and to find peaceful solutions to terrorist issues that change the oil supply. Those billions of dollars could find homes for other programs in our nation if we did not require as much oil.

Hybrid cars are one step to changing the way we think about driving. There are a number of excellent reasons to purchase a hybrid.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get quality car care products from http://www.stopwaxing.com

What Exactly Is A Hybrid Car?

2007-12-30T22:37:00.001-08:00

We are all concerned about the environment and doing our part to take care of it. Of all the purchases we make, the purchase that will have the greatest impact on the environment will be the car we decide to buy. Hybrid cars are an affordable and innovative way to help protect our environment and benefit from the increased fuel mileage.

Only a few years ago talk of hybrid cars had consumers stepping back unsure; but today hybrids offer a practical choice for consumers, and more and more consumers are jumping on board.

A hybrid car has a small engine that is fuel efficient, which is combined with an electric motor that aids the engine when additional power is needed during acceleration. The electric motor gets its power from battery banks which continuously charge while you are driving.

Energy is conserved when you stop because the engine is shut off automatically. Then, when you apply gas, it automatically restarts.

The hybrid car also uses a more advanced aerodynamic lightweight body, and combines it with low roll resistant tires that are stiffer and narrower to help reduce drag.

In 2004, out of the 17 million vehicles sold there were around 80,000 hybrid vehicles sold. By 2005 that number had increased by 1.2% to 200,000, and it?s estimated that by 2007 more than 400,000 hybrids will be sold.

There are several hybrids currently available in North America. They include the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, and the Mercury Mariner. There are also Hybrid SUVs available - the Ford Escape, the Lexas 400H and the Toyota Highlander.

The Toyota Prius holds 52% of the hybrid market with just under 108,000 vehicles. The Honda Civic is the next most popular with 25,000 vehicles.

Now that consumer support for the hybrids has arrived, auto manufacturers are increasing the pace at which they introduce hybrid models. In 2006, the Honda CR V SUV, Saturn Vue, Hyundai Accent, and Kia Rio are being introduced as hybrid models. In 2007 we will see the Toyota Camry, Honda Fit, Mazda Tribute, Chevrolet Malibu, and Nissan Altima; and 2008 will see the Ford Fusion and Mercury Millan available as hybrids.

And as an added bonus in the United States, consumers that purchase a hybrid will get a tax break. Those purchasing fuel-cell vehicles will get up to $8000 in tax breaks, and those purchasing alternative fuel vehicles that weigh less than 8,500 pounds get a $2500 tax break. It?s a nice pleasant surprise!

If we had a crystal ball that could see into the future, there?s a good chance that what we?d see 20 years down the road would be freeways, highways, and streets that were full of hybrid vehicles. In fact, it?s likely that our gas guzzling vehicles of today are about to go the way of the dinosaur as more hybrid cars make it to market.

We are all concerned about the environment and doing our part to take care of it. Of all the purchases we make, the purchase that will have the greatest impact on the environment will be the car we decide to buy. Hybrid cars are an affordable and innovative way to help protect our environment and benefit from the increased fuel mileage.

Only a few years ago talk of hybrid cars had consumers stepping back unsure; but today hybrids offer a practical choice for consumers, and more and more consumers are jumping on board.

A hybrid car has a small engine that is fuel efficient, which is combined with an electric motor that aids the engine when additional power is needed during acceleration. The electric motor gets its power from battery banks which continuously charge while you are driving.

Energy is conserved when you stop because the engine is shut off automatically. Then, when you apply gas, it automatically restarts.

The hybrid car also uses a more advanced aerodynamic lightweight body, and combines it with low roll resistant tires that are stiffer and narrower to help reduce drag.

In 2004, out of the 17 million vehicles sold there were around 80,000 hybrid vehicles sold. By 2005 that number had increased by 1.2% to 200,000, and it?s estimated that by 2007 more than 400,000 hybrids will be sold.

There are several hybrids currently available in North America. They include the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, and the Mercury Mariner. There are also Hybrid SUVs available - the Ford Escape, the Lexas 400H and the Toyota Highlander.

The Toyota Prius holds 52% of the hybrid market with just under 108,000 vehicles. The Honda Civic is the next most popular with 25,000 vehicles.

Now that consumer support for the hybrids has arrived, auto manufacturers are increasing the pace at which they introduce hybrid models. In 2006, the Honda CR V SUV, Saturn Vue, Hyundai Accent, and Kia Rio are being introduced as hybrid models. In 2007 we will see the Toyota Camry, Honda Fit, Mazda Tribute, Chevrolet Malibu, and Nissan Altima; and 2008 will see the Ford Fusion and Mercury Millan available as hybrids.

And as an added bonus in the United States, consumers that purchase a hybrid will get a tax break. Those purchasing fuel-cell vehicles will get up to $8000 in tax breaks, and those purchasing alternative fuel vehicles that weigh less than 8,500 pounds get a $2500 tax break. It?s a nice pleasant surprise!

If we had a crystal ball that could see into the future, there?s a good chance that what we?d see 20 years down the road would be freeways, highways, and streets that were full of hybrid vehicles. In fact, it?s likely that our gas guzzling vehicles of today are about to go the way of the dinosaur as more hybrid cars make it to market.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for NewHybridAutos.com. To learn more about hybrid cars and other hybrid vehicles, visit us.

Are Hybrid Cars The Hottest Trend?

2007-12-27T23:23:00.001-08:00

Hybrid technology is not new to the world of automobiles. Ferdinand Porsche first introduced hybrid technology in 1899. However, with current pressures regarding pollution and environment concerns setting in, and fuel prices touching a new Honda and Toyota launched their Hybrid car models in 1990. Before we discuss the latest offerings in hybrid cars, let us have an overview of what is the technology behind the hybrid cars.

In simple terms, a vehicle that uses a combination of two or more sources of energy to move itself is called a Hybrid vehicle. It can be diesel-electric, nuclear-electric or gasoline-electric. A hybrid car, in present terms, means any car that has a combination of an electric motor and a gasoline (or diesel) engine. The main components of a hybrid vehicle are a gasoline engine, an electric motor, a generator (mostly on series hybrids), fuel storage container, batteries and a transmission.

There are two kinds of engines for hybrid cars. The first is a parallel hybrid. It has both a gasoline and electric motor and both work separately to move the car further. The second variant of a hybrid car is known as a series hybrid. In a series hybrid, the gas or diesel powered engine does not truly run the car by itself. It powers a generator, which in turn powers the batteries or electric motor that connects to the transmission and run the car.

The new hybrid car is very much in tune with the latest style and the liking of modern day car users. While still maintaining its purpose of saving fuel without compromising on speed or power, latest hybrid cars are very sleek. Their lightweight structure gives them an extra power and better fuel efficiency. In some models, cameras and map-reading equipment have taken place of mirrors and wheel covers to save energy. In some cars, sensors prompt the engine to shut down, when the car stops and restart when you shift gear. However, this is possible only when the car running on electric power.

The leading car manufacturers are boasting of innovations in hybrid vehicles, each day. These new models of hybrid cars are said to be even better than the conventional gas powered cars with respect to design and power.

The plus points of a Hybrid car are innumerable. It is eco-friendly, saves fuel and conserves our precious natural resources. The hybrid cars are small, efficient and available in a variety of styles.

The Hybrid car is no doubt, the future of automobile industry. By adapting it in our lives, we will definitely be doing our bit towards protecting the environment. You just need to know, what kind of vehicle to pick according to your need and lifestyle.

Facts You Need to Know About Hybrid Cars

2007-12-26T22:28:00.001-08:00

Hybrid car has become immensely popular after Honda Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation introduced these cars in the US market in 2000. The US Government offers incentives to those willing to buy hybrid car and many corporations are willing to provide free parking. Why have these hybrid cars become so popular?

You need to know some facts about the hybrid car as to why it has become so popular. However one must understand the meaning of hybrid. Hybrid means that something additional has been mixed with the original. A hybrid car has a gas engine as well as an electric motor which runs on batteries. These batteries get automatically charged when the vehicle is running. There is thus no extra effort required to charge the batteries separately.

Almost all the hybrids primarily use gas engine, but is also fitted with an electric motor, which is activated when more power is needed. Anyone of them or both of them can be used to run the car. When the car stops the gasoline engine also stops automatically. As soon as the gas pedal is pressed again the engine comes back to life immediately. During the off condition of the engine, essentials such as lights, radio, etc are kept on with the help of battery. The off state being extremely silent can deceive the driver as well as the parking attendant. Fortunately, lighting indication is provided to show the idle condition of the engine.

There are numerous direct and indirect advantages of hybrid cars. The most talked about advantage of hybrid cars is its fuel economy and a higher mileage. Secondly, the hybrid cars use less fuel and are environmental friendly because there are less pollutants being emitted into the atmosphere. Hybrid cars are lightweight because they are made of aluminum and plastic.

The manufacturers have taken care of the safety measures of the hybrid cars by providing specialized shaped panels to the body of the car, which provides strength to withstand impact of any kind. The main advantage of the hybrid car is that it reduces the overall cost of running a car and keeps the atmosphere clean and healthy for everyone of us.

You will be wiser about the hybrid car provided you knew the facts you needed to know about the Hybrid Car. These are the reasons sufficient for you to decide in favor of hybrid cars and discharge your responsibility of being a responsible citizen besides saving substantially on your monthly fuel bill.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get patented car care products at http://www.stopwaxing.com

All You Wanted To Know About Hybrid Cars

2007-12-21T22:18:00.000-08:00

The rising oil prices will have anybody fretting and praying for a miracle so that they did not have to spend that kind of money on fuel. If at all, anybody can answer those prayers, it is our own automobile industry. The only viable solution to this impending crisis could be in the form of manufacturing more fuel efficient Hybrid Cars. Many automobile manufacturers have taken an initiative by launching fuel-efficient hybrid cars that are environment friendly as well.

Hybrid would clearly mean a combination of two technologies, using best features of the two to deliver momentum directly or indirectly. Hybrid technology has existed for a long time in the form of mopeds that unite the energy of a gasoline engine and the pedal power; locomotives that are diesel-electric hybrids; mining trucks and diesel-electric buses in Seattle and other cities which run alternately on diesel and electricity; Submarines which are nuclear-electric combination and a lot more. The latest offering in the hybrid technology is the hybrid car that is combination of gasoline engine with electric motors.

The normal gasoline car runs on gasoline engines that run the car. These car gives us speed, easy refuel facility and long running between the refills. However, did anybody think about the harm these cars causes to our environment and to our wallets? The electric car can be an answer to those concerns. In an electric car, batteries supply electricity to an electric motor, which in turn runs the car. However, the electric cars have some limitations. They do not offer speed as the normal gasoline cars and these cars are not good for long drives because they would require recharging after 80-100 miles.

The hybrid car is a combination of the advantages of the two and takes care of their limitations. All hybrid cars contain a gasoline engine, an electric engine, a generator (mostly on series hybrids), fuel storage container, batteries and a transmission. It covers up the limitations of speed of an electric car while using its fuel efficiency and quality of discharge of less harmful substances.

All the major automobile companies are offering hybrid cars. This clearly indicates its future. Major examples are; Silverado Pick-up and Sierra Pick-up from GM, SUV mini-Escape car from Ford; Malibu, Yukon and Tahoe also from GM; Saturn Vue or Chevy Equinox and several models from Honda. French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen has two diesel-electric hybrid cars in the making.

Hybrid is not a fashion statement or a trail product. With so many makers jumping into the market, we are coming across never-before models in Hybrid cars. Latest statistics indicate a steep rise in sale as well as demand for of these cars. So, are you still thinking?

Why Hybrid Car Drivers Need Thick Skin

2007-12-19T23:20:00.001-08:00

Buying a hybrid car is more than a calculated decision to save fuel. It is a statement about "saving the planet".

Even if the chances are pretty slim that hybrid technology will actually make much difference, it gives hybrid owners the right to feel superior. After all, they care about the planet. And the rest of the world obviously doesn't.

But if you're one of those hybrid owners you'd better be ready to lose some friends. Here's why...

1. You're Driving Way Too Slow

In theory at least, hybrid owners are the antithesis of those guys who just ache to get in that passing lane and leave the rest of us behind. You know the type...you're minding your own business coming out onto the expressway and the otherwise ordinary guy in the vehicle behind you swings out and passes even before you've hit the highway.

Hybrid owners seem to do just the opposite. You've known for years that driving slow saves fuel. So you're likely to be driving under the speed limit rather than over like the rest of the world.

The fact that you're driving a hybrid just makes it worse, since you know that all the potential savings are squandered if you try to go fast.

Especially when you're accelerating. That guy in the high powered vehicle who pulls out and passes... the thought of saving gas has never crossed his mind. But hydrid owners know better. For you it's a moral duty to save fuel. The fate of the planet depends on it. So there's no way you're going to try any of that fast acceleration stuff.

2. What's with the Pulse and Glide Stuff

You've been told that "pulse and glide" can make a serious difference to your gas milage. That's where you accelerate (conservatively) to the speed limit, and then let the car "glide" to 10 or more miles per hour below the speed limit. Repeat this procedure. Repeat this procedure. Repeat this procedure...

I once had a friend who drove like this. I thought he was dozing off between pulses, but now I know differently. He was actually doing the environmentally responsible thing.

My friend's driving habits aside, this practice is not going to endear you to all the rest of the drivers who can't figure out why you keep slowing down. It's probably smart to speed up just a little when you find yourself in anything other than the "slow" lane.

All bets are off when they let you use the carpool lane.

3. You Just Won't Inch Forward Will You!

Everybody else in the world knows that you must "inch" forward during stop and go traffic. How else are you going to keep up with the driver in front. Besides, if you leave more than about a 15' gap between you and the guy ahead somebody's going to jump into the gap and slow you down even more.

Hybrid drivers have been told this "inching forward" stuff is pointless and wastes fuel. And the way they build hybrids these days they've got a point. When you take your foot off the brake pedal the auto-stop turns off and the gasoline engine restarts -- like one of those gasoline engine golf carts. And there goes most of your gas savings. All those stops and starts just eat up the gas.

But don't expect your mono-drive cousins to understand. They've only got one thing in mind: to get wherever they're going just as fast as possible. And everybody knows that racing up behind the guy in front is the only way to make that happen.

4. Do you really think you should be drafting me like that?

The responsible hybrid owner will make use of every advantage to save gas. And drafting larger vehicles is one technique that the more aggressive will try. That's where you pull right up behind a semi, a van, or an SUV and try to stay in the pocket of air they are pulling along behind them.

I remember doing this with an old '65 Beetle a few years back. We were travelling along the New York Thruway drafting semis. We were making great time and saving lots of gas... until we blew a rod.

Of course, sticking on someone?s bumper will not endear you to too many of your fellow drivers. And as I discovered, it's a bit dangerous too. You'll find yourself going quite a bit faster than you otherwise would go. And whipping along in that back-draft does not do a lot for your stability.

Just try to remember, when you're out there on the highway trying to save the planet, the rest of the world could care less about your morally superiour driving habits. All they want to do is get where they're going as fast as they can.

Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet News | Advertise to Targeted Buyers - More than 1,100 specialized websites and 46 million imp/month | California Traffic School

10 reasons to buy a hybrid car

2007-12-14T22:47:00.000-08:00

Care for the environment? Want to save the planet? Then you must think in terms of fuel efficiency, non-polluting, and eco-friendly transport. The answer lies in purchasing and using a hybrid car. They not just make a statement that I care but are compact and fuel efficient.

Here are some insights that may just tempt you to buy a hybrid.

1. Made of lightweight materials hybrids are small in size. The engine is designed to be fuel efficient. When the car halts at a signal, the engine will automatically shut down and restart when the car shifts into gear.

2. These cars have the advantage of being powered by a gasoline engine and an electric motor that takes care of acceleration.

3. The batteries of the electric motor recharge automatically by harnessing the kinetic energy produced during braking.

4. Hybrid car engines produce less emission, give better mileage, idle less, and are fuel efficient.

5. The aerodynamic design reduces drag and the tires are made of a special rubber that reduces friction.

6. The battery has high capacity and is made of nickel-metal-hydride. The battery can run the hybrid when called for.

7. The power-train technology enables using two power sources and enhances fuel efficacy.

8. There are many choices. You can have a hybrid from Honda, Ford, Toyota, GMC, and Chevrolet.

9. If your transportation of choice is a hybrid then the US Government will applaud your choice by giving you significant tax breaks.

10. Using a hybrid means you are active in ensuring the air is clean and that you are a concerned citizen who wishes to save fuel which is precious.

Maximize usage by "pulse and glide." This means finding the ideal point where electric and gas energy are equally utilized. Generally this ideal lies between 30-40 miles per hour. Stabilization of energy is learnt by practice it really cannot be taught. Another important aspect is that you benefit if you don't rush around and drive at the prescribed speed limit. If you glide, instead of accelerate then you can make a saving of as much as 10 cents a gallon. Lastly check and maintain tire pressures. This will help lengthen the life of the tires and help you save fuel. Reduced tire pressure studies indicate reduces gas mileage by as much as 10%.

Before you say "yes" to buying a hybrid car, you must do in depth research on hybrids, the pros and cons. Talk to manufacturers and owners. Test drive the different makes and check which one would suit your life-style. Some hybrids are ideal for city driving while others are more efficient on open roads.

Even if the buying price is steep the fuel that you save along with incentives like tax breaks make a hybrid a good and sensible choice.Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888CarInsurance.com , the premier website to find Car Insurance Quotes including auto insurance quote, online auto insurance quote, free car insurance quote, cheap car insurance quote, on line car insurance quote and more. He also freelances for the premier Insurance Quotes site http://www.1888Insurancequote.com

The Hybrid Battery Car Plugs In

2007-12-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

The future of the hybrid battery car is so bright you have to wear shades. Some would say the interest in the plug in hybrid is down right electrifying.

The hybrid battery car got a huge boost when President Bush featured it in a speech on his energy policy. It's part of the plan to replace over three-quarters of Mideast oil imports by the year 2025.

The location the President chose to give the speech is also significant. He spoke at Johnson Controls, a Milwaukee auto parts company that is making lithium-ion battery cells for the next generation of the hybrid battery car.

The race for hybrid technologies continues as the U.S. Energy Department pushes for hydrogen fuel cells to replace gasoline in cars. The department has targeted the year 2024 as a time when those fuel cells will be widely used in hybrid vehicles of all kinds.

There are really two forces driving the development of hybrid technologies. Number one is the uncertain Mideast sources of fossil fuels. The other is the cost per barrel of oil. As the cost of oil increases the race for information on hybrid cars becomes even more important.

Because hydrogen fuel is very expensive to transport some predict that the hybrid battery and ethanol technologies will precede any hybrid fuel based on hydrogen.

Government support means that plug in hybrid cars are on the horizon. These vehicles would get a battery charge from an ordinary electric outlet. Lithium-ion batteries will make this possible. These batteries will be large versions of the lithium-ion battery you use in your cell phone. You could be driving a plug-in hybrid by the year 2010.

The energy density of lithium-ion is typically twice that of the standard nickel-cadmium battery. There is even a growing potential for higher energy densities with these power source.

Lithium-ion is a low maintenance battery, an advantage that most other battery types can't match. Self-discharge is less than half compared to nickel-cadmium, making lithium-ion well suited for modern fuel gauge applications. They pose no threat to the environment for lithium-ion cells cause little harm when discarded.

Like most hybrid technologies, this one has its draw backs. Chief among them is that the lithium-ion batteries are fragile and require a protection circuit to maintain safe operation. All short comings are expected to be overcome as research and development continue.

To be successful hybrid fuel technologies must include petroleum alternatives. Right now ethanol would lessen the need for oil if mixed with gasoline. Here in the U.S we already make nearly 4 billion gallons of ethanol from corn. The irony is that a great deal of energy is needed to manufacture ethanol and that energy often comes from fossil fuel and natural gas.

Ethanol is an alcohol-based alternative fuel that is produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Feed stocks for this fuel include corn, barley, and wheat.

Ethanol has a better chance of surviving as an important hybrid fuel when it is made from "cellulosic biomass" such as trees and grasses. These produce a hybrid fuel called bioethanol. Ethanol is used to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline.

Ethanol is blended with gasoline to create E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. E85 and blends with even higher concentrations of ethanol qualify as alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act. Vehicles that run on E85 are called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and can currently be purchased from several vehicle manufacturers.

There will be one surviving hybrid fuel in the future. What is your guess on which it will be? Or are there some surprise hybrid technologies in our future?

Mark Walters follows hybrid technologies and recommends that you learn more about the Hybrid Battery Car Here.

Hybrid Cars How They Operate

2007-12-09T23:27:00.001-08:00

There are two main types of hybrid cars: series hybrid cars and parallel hybrid cars.

Parallel hybrid cars work by using a combination of a traditional gas engine and a high output electric motor. The different elements of the engine start working at higher or lower levels of output are required. If the car is being driven carefully and accelerating at a reasonable level the electric motor will work on its own until a greater output is needed at a higher speed. Then the small high performances, in terms of fuel economy that is, gas engine takes over. This is a seamless almost unnoticeable process with a smooth transition of control from electric to gas power. Hot Car Forum

As the acceleration is powered by the electric motor the gas engine can be much smaller and more economical. There is no need for a great deal of energy, merely enough to keep the car at a steady speed, or to move the car from a mid range, around 40 mph to a higher speed. This requires a lot less energy than the initial movement from a standstill and consequently can be achieved with a lower level of power.

The parallel system of using both the gas engine and electric motor for hybrid cars means that there is less loss of power as when the car is traveling at higher speeds. As the energy is not required to go through the batteries and electric motor before providing power to the car. When traveling in this mode there is no need for the electric motor to operate and this also allows it to be recharged by the gas engine as the vehicle is traveling along. All ready for when the hybrid car slows and switches back to the electric motor.

Series Hybrid Cars: a series design works by powering the vehicle through an electric motor. The batteries supply the power to the motor. As the power arrives at the motor through the battery, series hybrid cars need a substantially larger reserve of power and consequentially a greater amount of batteries need to be carried in the car.

The motor only uses the exact amount of power required for the task in hand. If you spend hours in a traffic jam, you may get a little hot under the collar but your car will not be overheating. An electric motor does not need to tick over or idle when sitting in a jam; it will simply start turning when you start moving. When driving hybrid cars there will be no power (although maybe a little hair) lost even in the most extreme of gridlocks. As the motor will not be working when the vehicle is still, there is no need for the batteries to be recharged until power is again being lost when the car starts to move forward.

The large battery supply that is required for series hybrid cars is kept supplied with energy by a generator that runs from the main gas power unit. This only needs to operate when the batteries are in need of extra power so for much of urban driving there is no need for the motor to operate as only low levels of power are required. This allows the hybrid cars engine to run without emissions for city driving, especially if some higher powered driving, as for highways or main routes is done, and the consequent loss of power means that the hybrid cars batteries are brought upon to their full power supply by the gas motor when out of the urban environment.

There are advantages to both systems, but overall the parallel system is the most flexible for hybrid cars as it allows for the option of either power source to be transferred directly to drive the car without going through another separate means of transmission to the wheels.

Visit the Hot Car Forum Today http://www.ehotcars.com to find more Information!

Hybrid Sports Cars Coming Soon

2007-12-06T23:26:00.000-08:00

When one thinks of hybrid automobiles, the image of subcompact economy cars--high on gas mileage and low on top-end performance--undoubtedly comes to mind. However, with gas prices consistently increasing over time, occasionally in sudden spikes, and environmental awareness growing in all quarters, there is a movement afoot to bring hybrid technology into the realm of high-performance sports cars.

Japanese automakers, in particular, seem to be expending a great deal of effort in fusing hybrid technology with sports car appearance and performance. The Subaru Scrambler, the Mazda Ibuki and Mitsubishi's hybrid in its Eclipse line are all progressing in development.

Most of the hybrid research and development currently focuses on adopting the most common hybrid production methods. Lithium batteries and electric motors join forces with top-notch engineering. Preliminary reports indicate that at least one 470 horsepower sports car is under design by a leading Japanese manufacturer.

In addition to hybrid sports car working from the same general principles of their better-known economy car brethren, hydrogen-burning sports cars are also under investigation. Many years ago, Mazda discovered their rotary engine performed exceptionally well while using lean-burning hydrogen as a fuel source. Since that time, Mazda has continued to tinker with this revolutionary methodology in hopes of eventually producing an environmentally friendly sports car that maintains high performance standards.

The most visible hybrid sports car, however, is the Toyota Priapus. A conventional gas/electric hybrid, the Priapus lists at over $70,000. It will be hard for owners of this hybrid sports car to recoup the additional cost in fuel savings, but the automobile is increasing in popularity. Experts predict the limited-production hybrid sports car will perform well in auctions, with car enthusiasts likely to be willing to spend into six figures to procure the low-to-the ground, futuristic Toyota offering--and with good reason. The Priapus boasts zero to sixty mile per hour acceleration in just under four seconds while maintaining an impressive 30 miles per gallon in terms of fuel efficiency.

The Japanese are not the only automakers to spend time and resources plumbing the realm of hybrid sports cars. Two former Jaguar designers are making headlines in England with the development of a V10 hybrid that has recently been awarded significant capital in the form of government grants to bring the concept car into the general marketplace.

With many nations' fuel efficiency standards demanding better fuel economy in the future, gas prices spiking again and again, and a general consensus developing that hybrid technology can reduce pollution and perhaps stem global warming trends, there is no doubt that hybrid automobile research and production will continue to accelerate.

Those who were worried the automotive icon that is the sports car would vanish somewhere along the way as the green movement gathered force can take heart in recent developments. All indicators point toward a greener, more fuel-efficient future featuring jaw-dropping high-performance cars sure to please even the most discriminating sports automotive enthusiasts. As long as there are cars, it seems there will be those who demand impressively speedy, sporty automobiles and manufacturers are not willing to let go of that purchasing base as they explore hybrid alternatives to traditional internal combustion autos.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Be sure to take car of your car's finish with the patented car care productsfrom http://www.shineyourcar.com

Hybrid Car Reviews Information

2007-12-05T23:10:00.002-08:00

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 "ordinary" 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 wouldn't 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. 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

Hybrid Cars - Technology Of The Future Or Passing Fad?

2007-12-05T23:10:00.001-08:00

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. Rick Hendershot can give you 100 Links a Month | California Traffic School | Freesms in deutsche handynetze versenden

What You Need To Know About Hybrid Cars

2007-12-03T01:17:00.001-08:00

Hybrid cars definitely help fight the pollution problem by reducing emissions.

Hybrid cars combine a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor. The electric motor kicks in at certain because of this hybrid engine gets significantly better gas mileage than a conventional gas engine.

Hybrids consume less gas and produce less pollution per mile than conventional gasoline engines. Hybrid cars have been on the market in the United States since 1999, but more and more are being developed and introduced each year.

The hybrid engine currently sold in the Honda Civic Hybrid gets 10 to 15 miles more per gallon than a regular gas engine in the same car. The hybrid engine of the Prius, made by Toyota, produces 90 percent fewer harmful emissions than a comparable gasoline engine. No doubt about it, these cars are good for the environment!

Hybrids are more expensive. Just like with any new technology, you will pay for the privilege of being a pioneer. The hybrid cars on the market today cost as much as $6000 more per car than comparable cars with conventional gas engines.

This means that the amount of money you save, or don't save, by buying a hybrid is very much dependent on gasoline prices and also depends upon how long you intend to keep the vehicle.

If you are the type person who trades every two years you may very well not benefit from the savings. If gas is priced at $1.80 per gallon (we wish), it could take the average driver (15,000 miles per year) between 10 and 15 years to amortize the $3500 increase in the initial price.

If gas prices stay the way they are at the time of this writing in October, 2005 you will realize savings much more quickly.

The Federal government is still offering tax breaks to buyers of hybrid cars through 2006. The amount of the tax break you are able to claim depends on the year in which you file and the tax bracket you're in. Some individual states also offer tax breaks for hybrid buyers. So maybe being an environmentalist has its tax advantages.

Gregg Hall has been in the automotive industry for over 20 years including owning and managing several dealerships. Ge the auto parts you need

Top 5 reasons to buy a hybrid car

2007-12-01T00:43:00.000-08:00

1. - Gas Savings - Hybrid cars can get up to 60 mpg (miles per gallon), due to their advanced aerodynamics, engine efficiency, tire technology (which is so different to the standard cars) just to mention some of its characteristics.

2. - Environmental Issues - Reduced gas emissions equals less air pollution because a hybrid car has an electric motor and batteries to rely on when the gasoline engine is not in use. They can reduce smog up to 90%.

3. - Better engine efficiency - Reducing the overall weight of the hybrid car is a way to increase its efficiency, smaller engines equals better efficiency. Another way is how the hybrid cars recharge they batteries, the hybrid's battery pack never needs to be charged from an external source, every time you hit the brake, the brake system stores some of the energy to the batteries (this is known as regenerative braking). Also the batteries get recharged by the gasoline engine when necessary.

4. - Low Maintenance costs - The electrical motor and the batteries don't require any maintenance; they have the same life span as the car itself. The gas engine doesn't require any more maintenance than any other normal car.

5. - Government Incentives - There's a federal tax deduction for hybrid cars; the new hybrid car tax credit is divided into two parts with tax credits ranging from $400 to $3400. The great news is that a credit is much better than a deduction since the credit does reduce the taxes that are owed. The deduction simply reduces the amount of taxable income.Rick Tames is a researcher and a webmaster; you can find much more information on hybrid cars at www.hybridcars.theknowledgesite.com

Facts You Need To Know About The Hybrid Car

2007-11-28T03:22:00.000-08:00

The term "hybrid" means that something is mixed with its original form. The hybrid is a car that has both an electric and a gas motor to run it. But, unlike electric cars of yesteryear, the hybrid will recharge itself, hence no need to plug it into an outlet.

The gasoline engines in these cars are smaller than in standard vehicles and where they leave off the electric engine takes over. The hybrid can work on just one of these engines, but hybrid owners will use both to conserve on fuel.

What's Under The Hood?

Most hybrids use the gasoline engine primarily. But when more power is needed, the electric motor kicks in.

In the gasoline motor, there is energy conservation, for example, it instantly shuts off when the vehicle stops. When you hit the pedal again, the engine smoothly turns back on. Meanwhile, the battery keeps all of your appliances on -- lights, radio and other needed features.

Because the gasoline engine cuts off and on, it is usually virtually silent. This can confuse the driver and parking attendants, who may think the car is off, but it is actually on. Fortunately, an indicator light has been added, showing the status of the engine.

Benefits

One huge benefit of the hybrid is the fuel savings -- it offers up to 60 miles per gallon. Because of the high cost of gasoline, this makes the hybrid a very popular choice.

Not only do they use less gas, though, they also emit fewer pollutants into the air. In fact, they are up to 90% cleaner than other vehicles. Because the engines are small and efficient, they reduce their total exhaust emissions. This makes them environmentally friendly.

There are many corporations offering incentives such as free parking to those who drive hybrids.

Plus, the US government in offering attractive tax incentives to lure new buyers who are on the fence.

Construction

There are many differences between the hybrid and conventional cars. One is the construction of hybrids. Made of aluminum and plastic, they are lightweight in their design, which in turn makes them able to be powered by smaller, lighter engines.

Many would fear that this offers less protection than other cars, but the fact is they are just as safe. Additional strength is created by manufacturers using panels in specialized shapes to reinforce the strength of the material to resist impact.

Who Makes Them?

The 2 major manufacturers are Honda Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation. They brought hybrid vehicles to the US in 2000. The first were the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius. Both had great success.

There are now plans for a sport utility vehicle to be made as well as full size trucks through hybrid mechanics. This will be quite popular to many drivers. The hybrids that are on the market are well liked. With all of the environmental issues today as well as the high cost of gas, there is no wonder why this is so.

The bottom line is that hybrid cars are effectively lowering the cost of powering a vehicle and keeping the Earth clean. Hybrid technology offers a highly effective way of moving from place to place.

Visit Hybrid Cars to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer, visit his website at Website

Why Buy A Hybrid Car?

2007-11-28T03:21:00.002-08:00

for anyone interested in saving money at the gas pump and helping the environment, the new hybrid cars are an excellent choice. Small and fuel-efficient, hybrids are now being made by more manufacturers than ever.

Although hybrids cost more, and can be hard to find due to high demand, it still pays to choose a hybrid. Consider the following reasons to buy a hybrid next time you are in the market for a new car.

Smaller, More Efficient Engines

The hybrid's fuel efficiency is increased by its small size and the use of lightweight materials. Periodic engine shut-off is another fuel saving feature of the hybrid. When it is stopped in traffic, the hybrid's engine temporarily shuts off. The engine restarts automatically when the car is put back in gear.

Hybrids are powered by the combination of an efficient gasoline engine backed by an electric motor for acceleration. The electric motor is powered by batteries that are recharged automatically by recapturing the kinetic energy usually lost during braking, known as regenerative braking. When the car is slowing down, the electric motor runs backwards, acting as a generator to charge the battery.

With this collection of advanced fuel efficiency features, hybrids can outperform conventional cars in several arenas.

Environmental Friendliness

Another reason hybrids are more environmentally friendly than conventional gas engines is that they idle less and use fuel more efficiently. The hybrid not only gets better gas mileage, it produces less pollution than other, non-hybrid cars. Some hybrids are getting 10 to 20 miles per gallon more than a regular gas engine. They are also capable of reducing harmful emissions by 90%.

Many hybrids use aerodynamic design to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. Low rolling tires made of special resistant rubber reduce friction on the road. The high capacity, nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is reliable and available to power the hybrid when needed. Hybrids also use the latest in power-train technology, for integrated power management that contributes to fuel efficiency.

Popularity Enhances Styles And Choices

More makes and models are now being offered as the popularity of hybrid cars continues to escalate. Buyers can now purchase the Honda Civic and Accord, Ford Escape, and Toyota Camry in hybrids. GMC and Chevrolet are currently making 2 hybrid pick-up trucks. In the near future, Saturn, Lexus, Honda, and Chevrolet will make hybrid SUVs available to the public. Chevrolet has plans to offer its Malibu in hybrid form in 2007.

You can get a hybrid that looks like a conventional car, such as the Ford Escape. Or you can choose a hybrid that looks completely different from anything else on the road, such as the Toyota Prius. With so many hybrid cars on the market, there is a style to suit almost everyone.

Tax Incentives Available

People who buy hybrids can get significant tax breaks from the US Federal government through 2006. The amount of your tax break is determined by your tax bracket and when you file. Some states are also starting to offer hybrid car tax breaks as well. Tax breaks backed up over the long run by lower fuel costs make hybrid cars a good buy.

Fuel Efficiency Becomes A Reality

Although most people have been aware of hybrids only in recent years, the technology has actually been around for a long time. Ferdinand Porsche built the first successful hybrid car in 1899. But hybrids first began to catch on in the 1990s when Honda introduced the Insight and Toyota introduced the Prius.

It's been a long wait, but fuel-efficient transportation is finally becoming a reality with the hybrid. As more of these cars take to the road, our air will become cleaner, and our country will be less dependent on foreign sources of oil.Visit http://www.eco-car4u.com to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer, visit his website at http://www.ronxking.com

Hybrid cars with 250 mpg fuel mileage

2007-11-28T03:21:00.001-08:00

Is it possible to have 250-mpg mileage with hybrid cars? Yes, Bellevue auto visionaries thinks so. The people owning Toyota Prius and Honda hybrid cars are eyeing for an mpg of 40 to 50 then how a automaker claims to have technology that can give this high mileage. What technology they are using? Let us try to look at answers of these questions.

20 member team at AFS Trinity Power Corp claims to make this possible with their plug in hybrid car. On technology front, they are going to use flywheel to create and store power. Conventional cars use gasoline engine to power the vehicle whereas hybrid cars use gasoline engine with battery support. However, the claimed car will use gasoline engine, battery source with flywheel or a capacitor. The power load is shifted among these sources according to the requirement.

The flywheel will help the car in two ways i.e firstly it will help the car in the time of acceleration and secondly it will absorb the power which is being wasted while braking. It will also help the car to use lesser number and lighter batteries. This will collectively help to reduce the overall weight of the car. Flywheel or capacitor is said to absorb power efficiently and quickly.

In future, the gasoline engine could also be replaced with more fuel-efficient hydrogen fuel cells. It is estimated that these cars would cost $3 to $7 for gas and $4 for electricity per week, which is much lower, then $14 for hybrid cars and $36 for conventional cars.

As the environment is degrading each day and fuel is depleting even faster, these types of technology could help stabilize the situation largely. Let us see if dreams of Bellevue auto visionaries come live. Think of a situation if oil imports from Middle East stops due to some reason.

Ansh a car enthusiast could be reached at New car updates

All about the Hybrid Car

2007-11-28T03:20:00.001-08:00

Efficient Hybrid cars have engines that run off of rechargeable batteries and gasoline opposed to just gasoline or diesel. Hybrid cars can reduce smog up to 90% and can get much better fuel economy then a normal engine. If it could be possible for everyone to use this fuel efficient transportation they would hardly be worry about rising gas prices and rising concern for pollution related climatic changes.

Hybrid car engines run an electric motor when accelerating during this time the gasoline side of the engine is shut down. When the batteries need to be charged again the gasoline engine wills start again. When the hybrid car brakes it usually will return to the electric motor side because of the lower amount of power needed when braking for an extended amount of time.

Hybrid cars are wonderful for the environment; they can get 55-60 miles per gallon in city driving. That is more than three times better then many SUVs! Hybrid cars are much better than electric cars because there is no need to recharge them. Electric cars need to be recharged anywhere from 50-100 miles. The hybrid engine can recharge itself with the gas side of it. So long distance travel is never a problem for the auto enthusiasts with todays hybrid motors. Also another disadvantage of pure electric cars is most of them can only do about 60 miles per hour when the hybrid engine is not limited to lower highway speeds.

If you are looking for more information on these cutting edge cars I would start your research on the internet. On the net you can not only find some of the best information around you can also find some of the best prices on hybrid cars in your neighborhood. With net you browse hundreds of merchants with just a few key strokes.