You might be wondering if a hybrid falls in the category of alternative fuel powered vehicles.
It's sort of like the fruit and vegetable identity crisis that tomatoes get.
No, they aren't exactly a new fuel, but yes, it is certainly an alternative to your gas guzzler of a car!
Hybrid vehicles are generally powered by two separate power sources such as an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. They are also known as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV's)
Hybrids from different manufacturers differ in the design of their power train. Your options as a consumer are:
- Parallel/Mild Parallel Hybrids - An electric motor and internal combustion engine can individually or together power the vehicle. The electric motor puts out extra power on acceleration and generates power for future use on deceleration. Thus, fuel savings are achieved through the use of a smaller internal combustion engine because of the electric motor's support. Electric power also runs the traditionally belt-driven applications such as a/c, power steering,and other auxiliary systems to reduce mechanical loss and fuel consumption.
The first mass production parallel hybrid is the Honda Insight starting at
(2010 model) $18,500 with 60 mpg!
(2010 model) $18,500 with 60 mpg!
- Powersplit Hybrid - Toyota, Lexus and Ford all have their designs based on a template of two electric motors and one internal combustion engine. One motor acts as a generator primarily while the other is either a motor or generator at times. When more power is needed, the electric motor can supplement the engine for additional power short-term.
The most popular powersplit hybrid:
The Toyota Prius with 2010 models starting at
$22,000 with 51/48 mpg.
Hybrid vehicles have a definite place in the 21st century to wean the world and especially Americans off their furious consumption of petroleum.
More than the miles per gallon saved (which is immense), the commonplace appearence of a Toyota Prius at the streetlight or on the highway as stirred up a general acceptance and thriving awareness of our consequences as consumers of automobile technology and products.
To have the paradigm shift to say, "Maybe I don't need that V-8 tank," is an incredible achievement, especially for a nation of three hundred million citizens that consumes the bulk of the total available resources while the 1 billion people live on less than $1 dollar a day.
As the title of this posting suggets, the hybrid vehicle is a transition stage to go from 100% petroleum dependence to eventually virtually nil.
Thankfully, one doesn't have to be a martyr to be a hybrid. You shall be financially rewarded in your fuel savings. But most importantly, it is certainly progress!
The Toyota Prius with 2010 models starting at
$22,000 with 51/48 mpg.
- Series Hybrid - The single-speed internal combustion engine is the source of power. The engine (at its most efficient speed) powers a generator rather than applying power to the actual wheels. The engine serves to either charge the battery, charge a capacitor or directly power the electric motor. When more power is needed, power can be drawn from the batteries, capacitors, and generator. Unique in the series hybrid design is that it does not require a battery, but a capacitor to store energy instead.
Though none are in production yet, Chevrolet is the closest
to mass-producing their concept car, the Volt, in about 2-3 years.
Potential sticker price at $35,000 with 100++ mpg!
While hybrid cars consume far less petroleum, there is still the problem of the hybrid car battery. Though they are far less toxic to the enviornment and ourselves than lead-based batteries, hybrid car batteries made of either nickel metal hydride or lithium ions are still known carcinogens with also many teratogenic effects to result in physical abnormalities.
Though the lead recycling industry is strong and mature, not every conventional lead-based battery is salvaged. Most end up in the landfill to end up poisioning soil, water and air.
But Don't Fret!
to mass-producing their concept car, the Volt, in about 2-3 years.
Potential sticker price at $35,000 with 100++ mpg!
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV's) - Generally it is a fuel-electric hybrid (either serial or parallel drivetrain) with increased energy storage capacity. It has the ability to be connected to a electricity supply to recharge it batteries rather than to do it with its internal combustion engine.
Though not in mass-production yet, the closest one is the Chevrolet Volt
as mentioned in the previous category alongside some other competitors:
as mentioned in the previous category alongside some other competitors:
- Fuel-cell, electric hybrid - Generally it is a electric vehicle that derives its power from a fuel cell. The fuel cell would use hydrogen as the fuel to power the battery when it is depleted.
Examples include the Ford Edge Hseries Drive
and the Honda FCX.
With fuel-cell technology still developing,
Honda plans to mass-produce by 2018
with EPA rated 170 mpg with zero-emissions!
and the Honda FCX.
With fuel-cell technology still developing,
Honda plans to mass-produce by 2018
with EPA rated 170 mpg with zero-emissions!
So what's the downside?
Though the lead recycling industry is strong and mature, not every conventional lead-based battery is salvaged. Most end up in the landfill to end up poisioning soil, water and air.
But Don't Fret!
Hybrid vehicles have a definite place in the 21st century to wean the world and especially Americans off their furious consumption of petroleum.
More than the miles per gallon saved (which is immense), the commonplace appearence of a Toyota Prius at the streetlight or on the highway as stirred up a general acceptance and thriving awareness of our consequences as consumers of automobile technology and products.
To have the paradigm shift to say, "Maybe I don't need that V-8 tank," is an incredible achievement, especially for a nation of three hundred million citizens that consumes the bulk of the total available resources while the 1 billion people live on less than $1 dollar a day.
As the title of this posting suggets, the hybrid vehicle is a transition stage to go from 100% petroleum dependence to eventually virtually nil.
Thankfully, one doesn't have to be a martyr to be a hybrid. You shall be financially rewarded in your fuel savings. But most importantly, it is certainly progress!
Remember that as a consumer, your dollars vote the loudest!
For more information and find our available tax credits for your future hybrid vehicle, visit:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
(Uncle Sam will put $$$$ in your pocket to upgrade green!)
~ ~ ~ ~
-BioDiesel/Diesel! - A rediscovery of the power of internal combustion engines without spark plugs
-Ethanol - your gas tank right now has probably 10% of this in there
-Natural Gas - your neighborhood garbage truck runs on this!
-Propane - that's right, propane and propane accessories
-Hydrogen - delving into the infancy of fuel-cell technology
-The Tesla Car - 100% electric, 100% instant peak hp and torque! Is this really a sports car?!
-Diesel conversions - Want to really save money and power your ride for far less or free?
Also, please feel free to drop questions or suggestions for future topics where you have a definite interest in and feel that sharing the research would be most valuable.
