Hybrid Cars
Posted on Friday, August 22, 2008 at 5:37 amWe 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.
So let’s take a look at what a hybrid is exactly. We all know they’re more fuel efficient, but why? Well, the hybrid has an electric motor (powered by a battery pack) that helps provide power needed with acceleration. The batteries are charging continuously while you drive.
Energy is conserved when you stop because the engine is shut off automatically. Then, when you apply gas, it automatically restarts which is a pretty nifty trick because it all happens so seamlessly
Hybrids also help save gas by frequently using tires that are less roll resistant and that are narrower to help reduce drag and rolling friction that the vehicle would normally experience while moving.
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 now manufacturers can’t keep up with the demand for these vehicles.
Recently, we’ve seen several new entries into the hybrid market. Honda and Toyota make by far the most hybrid models, but all American auto manufacturers now offer many hybrids in their vehicle lineups. Europe has been a little slower, opting for diesel instead.
Right now the top hybrid on the planet would be the Toyota Prius. There are currently over 1,000,000 Prius’ on the road right now.
Every year more and more hybrid models are introduced. 2010 is shaping up to be an especially good year with a slew of plug-in electric hybrid vehicles coming out. Gasoline’s days are numbered.
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.
