What is a Hybrid Car?

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 Popularity on the Wane?

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

Why Hybrid Car Is Better Alternative In London City

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

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

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

Suzuki Twin Hybrid car Review

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.

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.

Toyota Prius Hybrid Car Review

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.

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

Is A Hybrid Car For You

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.

How To Choose The Best Tire For Your Hybrid Car

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/

How Cost Effective Are Hybrid Cars?

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.

10 reasons to buy a hybrid car

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