Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

In the earlier times, centuries ago, societies and people were conveniently mobilized by carts, which are run by horses.

Only the affluent were privileged to have such transportation means, because owning one will be of great value, because one has to invest in the cart, buy a horse and provide for its maintenance and hire a driver, who will navigate and run the car.

Speed was an issue then, because although horses can run at tremendous accelerations, the carts would not be able to endure too much pressure and shaking from the process of running.

The designs of carts were also limited and somehow immodest. Not to mention, the cause of delays because of problems with horses and loose wheels of carts. Traveling greater distances was also another setback.

The gas-powered cars

But in the 1880s, the automobile or the gas-powered cars were introduced to the market. The cars excited and roused interest among people because for the first time, they would run free from the company of the horse.

Running the car personally without horses greatly stunned people that in years after the initial release of the first cars in the 1880s, the popularity of the vehicle widely spread worldwide, years later.

Gas-powered cars were the next in thing, and its dominance in the transportation market has been prevailing for quite some time now. Through the whole 1900s, gasoline cars were more popularized, more widely used and had wider array of models to choose from.

Modern car manufacturers have been developing newer and trendier car models that always succeed in to make the predecessor and preceding models look inferior and not comparative.

The electric vehicles

The traditional gas powered cars may have vindictively surpassed the once anticipated threat posed by the development of electric-powered vehicles.

Electric powered vehicles were the first attempt to improvise and modify the traditional and conventional gas-powered vehicles. That is because the electric vehicles were designed and created to respond to the concerns posed over gas powered cars’ gasoline consumption and environmental degradation contribution.

Electric vehicles for one do not need gasoline for combustion in engines in order to run and mobilize. All it needed was a supply of electricity, which can be provided by built in batteries that are specifically created and installed for the purpose.

In such a way, pollution is also significantly lessened. The setback is, the mileage and speed capacity of the electric vehicle is very inferior compared to the tradition cars.

For the traditional cars, for instance, it would take about 300 to 350 miles before the car runs out of fuel and require another gasoline refill.

For the case of the electric vehicle, it would run only about a hundred miles on the average before the batteries drain out and recharging is required. For most people, the difference would set a big, big challenge to the electric vehicle user.

The hybrid vehicles

And so the cycle turns, just like how car wheels turn for the car to be able to mobilize and travel. Because the electric vehicles were such failures, car makers did not hesitate to firmly focus to develop a car breed that would rise.

The hybrid car was that car. The hybrid vehicle is an integration or combination of the striking features of the traditional and the electric cars.

The hybrid vehicles still run on gasoline, but not entirely. There are instances and times when the car will have to be moved or run by electricity.

That concept of alternate energy use make up for a great reduction to the overall use or consumption of the gasoline. The greenhouse emission, consequently, is also reduced and trimmed down.

But, like the electric cars, hybrid vehicles also have their own setbacks. For its part, hybrid vehicles are not as affordable as the traditional counterparts, probably because the technology is still raw and the materials used to assemble the cars are still costlier.

But buying one will be of great advantage to you, the car user.

By: Shavennah

It is understood though that on this note, we have a basic understanding regarding the nature of hybrid cars, or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). HEV has two energy sources for its engines: electric and combustion. On ordinary situation, like careening down the highway, this car generally runs on one or the other of the source, until the driver needs more power such as faster acceleration.

When this happened, the two engines will operate in unison. HEV cars are low emission, fuel efficient, some of the characteristics worth considering when people are considering buying hybrid cars.

In addition, hybrid cars recharge their batteries while being driven. This removes the necessity of plugging the car for electricity. This is unlike pure electric cars, which needed to be plugged in wall sockets, like an ordinary appliance unit.

There are also other considerations before the actual buying is considered.

1. Prospective buyers should have some level of understanding with terms or lingo related in buying hybrid cars. According to the California Air Resources Board, Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle is a car with 50 percent cleaner emission, compared with a new 2001 model car.

A Super Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle emits 90 % cleaner than average new 2002 model car. There are zero-emission cars. However, are purely electric vehicles, not hybrid cars. However, pure electric cars are, at this moment, impractical to produce.

2. Before buying hybrid cars, consumers should also consider their work areas, and home location. Hybrid cars are for urban or suburban area. Short distance trips are superb from fuel savings, when hybrid cars are using electric engines at low RPMs. According to experts, driving on a highway or interstate travel won’t see much of the expected fuel reduction.

3. The other consideration for consumer before finally buying hybrid cars is the cost. Hybrid cars, are admittedly, priced higher than gas-powered counterparts. This is due because of the low production numbers, and the considerably complex mechanical process. But these concerns are readily compensated in the long run, by fuel saving.

Buying hybrid cars at present is encouraged by the Federal State, due to the long term benefits of limiting fuel usage. There several tax deductions for new buyers of hybrid cars. Several cities are offering free parking as an additional incentive for low-emissions vehicles.

The historical road traveled by hybrid cars.

There are also other beliefs behind these types of vehicles, which make buying hybrid cars for some a serious consideration.

One is the idea that hybrid car is a new phenomenon. In the earl 1900′s, American car manufacturers are producing electric, steam, and gasoline cars in equal numbers. By then, buying the hybrid vehicle is as normal as buying an ordinary car.

Eventually, some engineers figured out that a vehicle with multiple sources of power is possible. In 1905, a certain American engineer named H. Piper filed for the first patent for a vehicle, with engines for gas and electric.

By: Shavennah

So before you rush to your dealer, try researching on the different hybrid cars available in the market today. At the very least, compare hybrid cars using several factors.

We can start with some of the hybrid cars models currently available and are worth comparing. There is the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight, the Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Honda Accord Hybrid. These are the four major hybrid cars available at dealers in your place today.

Your choice is also much improved with the availability of the Ford Escape Hybrid. This was the first hybrid SUV available. But you also have a choice with Lexus RX 400h, Toyota Highlander and the Mariner Hybrid.

First consideration is the mileage

Vehicles sold in the United States to day, on the average, gets a combined highway and city EPA fuel usage estimate of some 20.4 miles per gallon (mpg). All hybrid cars, hard as you compare, have EPA number well above than what specified earlier.

Honda Insight was particularly manufactured to obtain the best mileage, making it the undisputed leader in terms of gas mileage. The traditional manual transmission hybrids have EPA estimates of 60 mpg in the city and 66 mpg on the highway. The automatic version on the other hand has transmission rated slightly lower at 57 city/56 highway.

The second best choice is the newest version of the Prius at 60 city/51 highway. It can be seen that the city estimate is higher than the highway estimate due to this hybrid car’s capacity to operate on battery power alone at low speeds.

The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid was available with a manual transmission that was rated at 46 city/51 highway; the automatic at 48 city/47 highway. Hybrid sedan is rated at 25 city/28 highway.

Compared with other hybrid cars, SUV’s, like GS450h, get the lowest gas mileage of the hybrid vehicles. The Ford Escape on he other hand is rated at 36 city/31 highway. This is much better than a non-hybrid Escape that is only rated at 22 city/25 highway.

Size does matter

Another point to consider if must compare hybrid cars is the size. With earlier models, hybrid cars only came in two sizes. First is the small sized vehicle. The second is the much smaller one. But hybrid manufacturers are learning to respond with the consumer’s specific needs. And because these manufacturers somehow know that the consumers had learned how to compare hybrid cars, all of them are putting some improvements.

But let’s go back to the size consideration.  When considering size of a particular hybrid car number of passengers and typical loads you may be transporting.

The Honda Civic Hybrid is a compact sedan. It has five seats and has a general is outside look comparable to that of non-hybrid Civic. The interior is the same size, although the trunk of this hybrid is slightly smaller to accommodate the battery. For 2006 edition, it was redesigned, and now has a more slender and sporty overall look.

The Prius 2000-2003 models have 5 passenger compact capacity, and was redesigned in 2004 and evolved into a mid-size category car. This comparatively larger edition includes a versatile hatch back.

The Price

For price, below is a means to compare currently available hybrid cars. It’s not a clear-cut pricing table, but at least you have an idea.

> 2006 Toyota Prius, $21,2745

> 2006 Honda Insight, $19,330 manual transmission; $21,530 for automatic

> 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, $21,850

> 2007 Lexus GS 450h, $54,900

> 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid, $25,900

> 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid, $30,140

For SUV:

> 2006 Ford Escape hybrid begins at $27,515 for the two-wheel drive version and $28,595 for four-wheel drive.

> Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid SUV (summer 2006) $23,995.

> 2006 Lexus RX400h $49,060.

> 2006 Mariner Hybrid $29,840

> 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid $33,030 for the two-wheel drive; $34,430 for four-wheel drive.

The Look

The last consideration is the appearance. You can choose a hybrid car that looks like the other available models, or you may want to be totally different. Anyway, this one of the few reasons why hybrids are hot today and was able to penetrate the American market successfully within a short period of time.

By: Shavennah

There are a few types of hybrid cars, so you are indeed spoilt for choices. Japanese, American and European Hybrid cars flood the market. But more importantly, you need to understand at least from a functional perspective how these few types of hybrid cars work. Essentially, a Hybrid Car is one which uses two or more forms of power sources to drive the engine.

The Full hybrid is one which can propel forward regardless of whether the hybrid car is at low speed or high speed. Essentially a full hybrid car, is capable of driving using only the electric motor as power source.

The Parallel Hybrid Car does use gasoline fuel at times. The fuel tank gives gasoline to the engine and electric batteries give power to a motor. In parallel, as the name implies, the two motors gives energy to propel the car forward.

The Series Hybrid Car has a generator turned on by a fuel engine which either work as a battery charger for the motor or charge batteries. In turn, these batteries work to give energy to the electric motor that propels the transmission, meaning that the series hybrid car most often do not need to use the fuel engine to get power.

The Plug-in Hybrid Car has certain similar characteristics of hybrid cars. They are also are very similar to electric vehicles. In essence they are a cross between both. Plug-in hybrid cars must be recharged externally by connecting a plug to a power source. The combustion engine in plug-in hybrid vehicles is used only as a back up. The Plug-in hybrids can run solely on batteries if you so choose to. The only inconvenience is that the Plug-in hybrid needs to be plugged in daily for recharging.

Most Hybrid Cars nowadays are parallel hybrid cars. Let us take for example the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight the Lexus GS450, Ford Escape are all fueled hybrids, meaning that they do consume fuel, albeit a fraction of the amount compared to conventional cars.
With such a wide range of hybrid cars available in the market, they hybrid car is indeed a trend here to stay.

By Shavennah

Hybrid cars were not created equal. Some produce more power. Some are designed for maximum fuel efficiency. Some are built for city driving; others are made to turn heads. Most have unique features that further improve the quality of driving and fuel economy. When you are shopping for one, take note of the following features.

Regenerative braking system. In conventional gasoline-powered cars, all the kinetic energy (energy in motion) is lost and wasted during braking. Hybrid cars recapture this kinetic energy through the regenerative braking system back to the battery for future use. The regenerative braking system increases fuel economy and reduces wear to the brakes.

Low-rolling resistance tires. Tires are often not seen as a major factor in increasing the fuel economy. But in hybrid cars, they use low-rolling resistance tires to improve gas mileage. These stiffer, narrower, and inflated tires reduce the drag against the ground.

Fuel economy. Not all hybrids are fuel efficient. Some are made to perform. And even if the hybrids are made to get the longest miles out of every gallon of gas, some are still better than others. For example, the Ford Escape Hybrid runs 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on highway. Toyota Prius runs 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highway. The Honda Civic Hybrid runs 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highway. When choosing what hybrid car to buy, take note of these differences.

Periodic engine shut off. Idling consumes fuel too. So, most hybrid cars automatically turn off its combustion engine temporarily during stops. A hybrid car with this feature is most ideal if you drive in stop-and-go traffic most of the time.

Smaller and more efficient engine. Logically, the car does not actually need a V6 or a V8 in order to run because most of the time, your car only requires 20 hp to move. The extra horsepower is only needed during acceleration. This is the reason why hybrid cars are so efficient. They use smaller engines.

Safety, Comfort, and Space. These are 3 issues that are questionable to hybrid cars. In general, hybrid cars are as safe, as comfortable, and as spacious as their non-hybrid counterpart. But if you are more concerned about not getting these 3 in a hybrid car, you should not have a problem. There are several hybrid cars on the market today that focus on these 3 areas.