The Advancing Reality of Hybrid Cars and American Automakers

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.

5 Buying Tips For Hybrid Cars

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

Improved Fuel Economy Tips and Hybrid Cars

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

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 combina

Toyota Highlander Hybrid car Review

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.

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.

Hybrid Cars Save Money

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

I Hate Hybrid Cars!

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.

What Exactly Is A Hybrid Car?

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.