Hybrids seem to be the way of the future. I have seen so many of these things on the road lately it's crazy. People really are embarrassing the concept of better gas mileage and of course better for the environment.
In case you don't know what I'm referring to when I say hybrid. It is a car that is run off of both gas and electricity or batteries to get better gas mileage. It really is a novel idea. Put batteries in a car and during certain conditions only use the batteries to drive instead of the gas.
The idea has been around a while actually. I can remember hearing about it when I was a kid and thinking it sounded so cool. It has taken a while for them to become normal or main stream and they did not start out very pretty. Both the first Honda and the first Toyota hybrids were quite ugly. Both have since gone to putting out hybrid versions of their normal line of cars rather than having a
separate line of hybrids. However Toyota does still carry the name of their first Hybrid line, the Prius and frankly I think its still ugly. But it does get dang good gas mileage and it come with a nice feature set.
Some articles we found interesting about Hybrids
Why Buy A Hybrid Car?
By Ron King
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 hybridnext 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 hybridnot only gets better gas mileage,
it produces less pollution than other, non-hybridcars. 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 hybridwhen 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 hybridpick-up trucks. In the near
future, Saturn, Lexus, Honda, and Chevrolet will make hybridSUVs available to the public. Chevrolet has plans to offer its Malibu in
hybridform in 2007.
You can get a
hybridthat looks like a conventional car,
such as the Ford Escape. Or you can choose a hybridthat looks completely different from anything else on the road, such as the Toyota
Prius. With so many hybridcars 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
hybridcar 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 hybridcar 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
Hybrid Cars to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer,
and web developer, visit his website at
Website
Copyright 2005 Ron King.
This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
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