The conventional gasoline car runs on gasoline engines that power the car. These cars give us speed, easy refueling capability and long distance running between refills. However, these cars also cause harm to our environment and to our wallets.
Hybrid technology is not really new. It was Ferdinand Porsche who
first introduced hybrid technology to the world of automobiles in 1899. Hybrid
technology has existed for years in the form of mopeds that unite the energy of
a gasoline engine and pedal power; locomotives that are diesel-electric
hybrids; mining trucks and diesel-electric buses in Seattle and other cities
which run alternately on diesel and electricity; submarines which are
nuclear-electric combination and a lot more.
With growing concern
about pollution and the environment combined with fuel prices hitting all-time
highs, hybrid car models began appearing
in the market in 1990 with hybrid cars from Honda and Toyota. By 2002, less
than 30,000 hybrid cars were sold in the US, and in 2003 there was a big leap
with Toyota alone selling about 100,000 hybrid cars. As 2004 rolled in, there
was a new vigor among customers for new generation hybrid cars and they were
all sold off almost immediately. Automakers are still playing catch-up as they
release new models almost as fast as you read this.
How Hybrid Cars Work
The latest offering in
hybrid technology is the hybrid car that
combines the advantages of the gasoline engine and electric motors. The hybrid
cars have a gasoline engine to get it going and an electric motor for speeding
up the vehicle. This combination overcomes the limitations of speed of an
electric car while gaining in fuel efficiency and improved exhaust that is less
harmful to the environment.
Hybrid cars do not necessarily have to be
plugged in, yet still deliver superior mileage and performance. They are
environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional internal combustion engine
vehicles.
Hybrid Cars with Big Names
Hybrid cars have become so
popular they are generally sold out immediately leaving many potential buyers
to be put on the waiting list. Toyota and Honda were the most popular when
first introduced and today, all the major automobile companies are now offering
hybrid cars. Notable examples are the Sierra Pick-up from GM, the Escape SUV
from Ford, the Lexus RX 400h Sport Utility, Mercury Mariner Hybrid Sport
Utility, Saturn Vue and Chevy Equinox.
Hybrid cars are not just a
fashionable trend or a trial product. Hybrid cars have not been manufactured in
as big of numbers as expected when they were introduced. However, the
benefits of a hybrid car are
numerous and more people are becoming aware of them. Hybrid cars are
environmenally friendly, fuel efficient and conserves our valuable natural
resources. Hybrid cars are generally small, lightweight, fuel efficient and
available in a increasing variety of styles.
With oil prices continuing
to rise and so many car makers jumping into the market, the
future of hybrid cars is no doubt the
future of the automobile industry. Latest statistics indicate a steep rise in
sales as well as demand for hybrid cars.
