Are Hybrid Cars The Future?

By Graham J Baylis

There is generally one very good thing about improving technology and that is that it also helps to improve and educate people. Car engines are now very sophisticated and efficient and this has brought to the fore the fact that we need to find alternative methods of powering our vehicles so that we are not so reliant on fossil fuels. Engineers are creating engines that can run on other sources of energy but still have the range of a traditional petrol or diesel driven vehicle and they have come up with the hybrid engine. So what is a Hybrid car? In simple terms, it is a motor vehicle that has two sources of power which are battery or fuel. When the engine is required to deliver power, such as when you are driving normally on a highway or motorway, the combustion engine works to give the power. When the car is moving slowly or in a stop start situation such as driving in busy towns, the battery kicks in and takes over delivery of the power.

It is a fact that has been known for a considerable time that a petrol or diesel engine is not efficient at low speeds and that the exhaust emissions can be considerably higher than those coming from an engine that is working at a higher range. This is one reason why the automotive industry has been working to develop the hybrid car. There are now several different types of hybrid car available on the market with the choices growing every year. Hybrid vehicles can be anything from small city cars to family cars to SUVs and they are becoming ever more sophisticated and efficient as the technology advances. However, will they be around in the future? In short, yes, at least for the foreseeable future. Hybrid cars are already becoming more affordable and as oil is getting more expensive and will become more difficult to obtain in the future, it will be even more important to have access to vehicles that work from power sources other than oil
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Hybrid vehicles are not only more advantageous because they are more fuel efficient and use less, they also produce fewer emissions. Pollution levels a decade ago were rising and for this reason governments have been trying to tackle emissions and pollution levels. Hybrid vehicles have been developed to run on other fuels not only as a way to save motorists money, but also as a way to reduce the carbon footprint. There are also engines that can run on bio fuels and recycled cooking oil which reduces the amount of fuel oil required and also the emissions created. Using cleaner fuels and the development of cleaner engines is a goal that must be strived for because we have become so reliant upon our vehicles for every aspect of our lives. As the technology continues to develop, the hybrid car will become more commonplace and as such the purchase costs will be reduced. Toyota was one of the first manufacturers to develop a hybrid car with its Prius model being rolled out in 1997. Since then, most of the big motor manufacturers have followed suit with Honda, Ford, Nissan and Volkswagen among the well known names producing a selection of hybrid vehicles. The future of the hybrid vehicle looks assured as they continue to be developed and become more accessible and cheaper to run.
 

Graham Baylis writes articles for Exol Lubricants with the aim informing their customers about the subject of lubrication oils and fluids. If you are interested in this area, their blog is also a resouorce that you should not miss out on. See www.exol-lubricants.com for more.

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Water Hybrid Cars

By Michael Hawk

Is there such a thing as Water Hybrid Cars?
This is a very popular question at the moment. When first hearing about the technology of water fueled engines, I thought probably the same thing as you are probably thinking right now, something on the lines of - you can't run a car on water, that is a load of hype. How can a car engine run on water? These are statements a lot of people say to themselves about this technology. The researched information about the water hybrid car technology was amazing and this technology was found out to have been around for over 100 years.

Over 100 years unknown to the motor industry, a car that is able to run on water! Why would car manufacturers fail to build a water fueled hybrid car for the major car companies to promote? Put simply, they make so much money and revenue from vehicles that run on fossil fuels (petrol/Diesel) that if they invented and brought out the water hybrid car, the worlds oil/fuel economy would be affected dramatically. So it is easy to work out why the people who benefit from gas prices increasing do not want you, me and others to know about the possibility of a water hybrid car being available to save major amounts of money on fuel costs.

How would any car become a water hybrid car you may ask? Well this is very simple to do, your car engine can be converted to become a hybrid engine (the meaning of this is it can become duel fuel). Your car engine burns gas (created by the fumes from your fuel source i.e. petrol/diesel/bio diesel/cooking oil) inside the carburettor, this gas is ignited (combusted- exploded) to make the parts of your engine move. This is how all vehicle engines work, so for your vehicle to become a water hybrid car you would need to install what is called an hho generator technology to your engine. Then it will be able to be converted into a water hybrid car ( very similar to converting a car to use liquid petroleum gas).

How does someone convert their engine? Where do you get the hho generator technology from?
This is very simple - there are full review pages and information sites which can be researched to be fully informed on:
1) How this technology really works?
2) Where to get the hho technology from?
3) How much one of these generators will cost?
4) What will the cost be to convert my engine into a water hybrid car? Depending on size of engine etc approximately $80 - $140

Why don't you review and research the Top 5 HHO Generators and the latest in designs for yourself now!.
 

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Hawk

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Different Types of the Hybrid Cars and the Way They Work

By Barbara Mary

Since there is a lot of emphasis on hybrid cars these days, it is interesting to look at how a hybrid car works. Any vehicle that is able to work with two power sources could be called a hybrid vehicle. The simplest of the hybrids is the moped that could be pedaled or run by the engine. In a hybrid car the two power sources are the internal combustion engine and an electric motor. While the storage of power for the electric motor is provided by the battery the engine generates its power with gasoline obtained from a fuel tank.

There are two types of hybrid cars when you consider the way they work. One is called the parallel hybrid and the other is called the series hybrid. In a parallel hybrid car, both electric motor and the gasoline engine work independently. Also both are linked to transmission and both could run the car at the same time. This means in a parallel hybrid, the engine is supported by the electric motor continuously.

In contrast, in a series hybrid, there is a generator that either charges a battery or provides the power to run an electric motor. As such, the gasoline engine will not power the transmission at any time. Therefore, it will never drive the car.

When it comes to performance, the advantage with a hybrid car is that the engine could be a relatively smaller one. Therefore, the car could be made lighter to compensate the weight of the battery. Also the smaller engines are more efficient than the bigger ones.

There are several reasons for smaller engines to be more efficient than their larger counterparts. One is that they are heavier and need more power every time the car starts to run and when pulling uphill. Another reason is that their pistons are heavier and more fuel is consumed to push them up. Finally, these large engines have more cylinders and each burns some fuel.

In addition to the battery being charged by the engine, hybrid vehicles are able to charge their batteries when the driver wants to reduce speed. When you apply brakes, instead the engine driving the motor and the motor driving the transmission the transmission drives the motor. When this happens the motor will work similar to a generator and will produce electricity to be stored in the battery. This means every time you slow down the car, your hybrid car will charge its batteries.
 

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Mary

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Electric and Hybrid Cars - The Wave of The Future

By Stuart Masson

It seems like we've been waiting forever for electric cars to come along, but after more false starts than you'll see at the London Olympics this year, it looks like the electric car is finally here to stay.
Now, we need to start with some boring terminology: A true electric car (EV, for Electric Vehicle) has no petrol engine as backup, so you are reliant on the batteries having enough charge to get you to where you need to go. The Nissan Leaf is the best-known (and best) electric car currently on sale.

A regular hybrid uses an electric motor and/or a petrol motor, depending on the circumstances. You don't plug it into a wall socket as the batteries charge while you are driving. A typical journey, even a short one, will use both electric and petrol power to drive the wheels. The Toyota Prius is the most popular and best-known hybrid on sale around the world.

A plug-in hybrid, "range-extending" electric car, is technically more of a fancy hybrid than a true EV although it drives more like an EV than a regular hybrid. In practice it might be a huge difference or none at all, depending on how you use the car. A range-extender, or plug-in hybrid as it's more commonly known, has a petrol engine which can be used to power the electric motor once the batteries have drained, but the petrol engine does not directly drive the wheels*. The Vauxhall Ampera/Chevrolet Volt twins are the leading example of this type of car, and they claim an urban fuel consumption of 300mpg (yep, that's three hundred. Not a typo!)

A car running on an electric motor is usually very quiet (eerie silence or a distant hum instead of a clearly audible petrol engine) and smooth (no vibrations from engine or gearbox). The response from the car away from rest is both immediate and powerful, as electric motors generate huge amounts of torque instantly. They're quiet from the outside to, to such an extent that the EU is considering making audible warnings compulsory in the future as pedestrians simply won't hear an electric car coming.

In terms of exciting handling, electric cars are usually not brilliant, it must be said. They tend to be very heavy and usually run tyres & wheels more beneficial for economy than handling. But as a commuter vehicle around town, they are zippy and efficient. Plus they generate less noise, heat and pollution into the street so a traffic jam of Nissan Leafs in the city would be a lot more pleasant for passing pedestrians.

The batteries on a typical electric car only give it enough range for a few miles (although a true EV will have a bigger battery pack as it doesn't have to fit a petrol engine & fuel tank as well), so the cars use various means to charge the battery while driving. Usually this involves converting kinetic energy from coasting and braking to electric energy to store in the batteries. The Fisker Karma even has solar cells in its roof to charge the batteries as well.

However, a longer journey will inevitably mean that the batteries are drained. In a fully electric car that means you have to stop and charge the batteries, so hopefully you parked near a power socket somewhere and have several hours to find something else to do. In a hybrid, the petrol engine will start up to provide the power. In a regular hybrid like a Prius, the car effectively becomes an ordinary petrol car, albeit with a fairly underpowered engine pushing a heavy car around so it's not swift. In a 'range extender' like the Ampera/Volt, the petrol engine provides energy to the electric motor to drive the wheels, which is more efficient in both performance and economy. Depending on how you're driving, any spare energy from the petrol engine can be used to charge up the batteries again, so the car may switch back to electric power once charging is complete.

So what does this mean in the real world?
Well, how much of the following driving do you do? We're assuming here that the batteries are fully charged when you set off.

Short trips These sort of journeys are ideal for electric cars and plug-in hybrids, as the batteries will cope with the whole journey and also get some charge while you drive. A regular hybrid will still need to use the petrol engine, although how much depends on how you drive it and how much charging it is able to get along the way.

Medium trips (50-100 miles between charges).
These are the sorts of trips that give EV drivers plenty of stress, as the traffic conditions may mean you run out of juice before you make it to your charging point. A plug-in hybrid or regular hybrid will be fine because they can call on the petrol engine. In a regular hybrid, this means the car will be petrol powered for most of the journey. In a plug-in hybrid, it will be mainly electric with the petrol engine kicking in to top up the batteries if needed late in the journey.

Longer trips (100+ miles between charges)
Not feasible in a fully-electric car, as you will almost certainly run out of electricity before you get there. The regular hybrid is basically a petrol car for almost the whole journey and the plug-in hybrid is majority electric but supplemented by petrol in a far more efficient way than a regular hybrid.

The pros and cons:
Let's summarise the three types of electrically-powered cars:

Regular hybrid (eg - Toyota Prius)
PROS: cheaper, no charging required, no range anxiety, regular petrol engine makes it feel like a regular petrol car
CONS: only very short journeys (a few miles at best) will be fully electric, small battery pack and weak petrol engine means relatively poor performance compared to a normal petrol car or a fully electric car, poor economy when driven hard (like most Prius minicabs in London...), not very spacious for passengers and luggage due to carrying petrol and electric powertrains in one car

Fully electric car (EV) (eg - Nissan Leaf)
PROS: powerful electric motor gives much better performance than a regular hybrid, larger battery pack means longer electric running, no petrol engine reduces weight and frees up a lot of space, £5000 government rebate, electricity is cheaper and usually less polluting than petrol, privileged parking spaces in certain public places
CONS: Still expensive despite rebate, minimal range capability due to lack of petrol engine backup, resulting range anxiety is a real issue for drivers, question marks over battery life, technology advances will make next generation massively better and hurt resale value, some driving adaptation required, lengthy recharging required after even a moderate drive

Plug-in Hybrid / range-extender (eg - Vauxhall Ampera)
PROS: powerful electric motor and backup petrol engine give best combination of performance and range, most journeys will be fully electric which is cheaper than petrol, no range anxiety, privileged parking spaces in certain public places
CONS: Very expensive despite rebate, question marks over battery life and resale value, wall socket charging is still slow, lack of space and very heavy due to having petrol engine and fuel tank as well as electric motor and batteries.

Electric Car Economics - is it all worth it?
For most people, an electric vehicle is difficult to justify on pure hard-headed economics. Even with a £5,000 rebate from the government, an electric car is expensive. A Nissan Leaf starts at £31,000, so after the government gives you £5K you have spent £26K on a car which would be probably worth about £15K if it had a normal petrol engine. That could conceivably buy you a decade's worth of fuel! And there are still question marks hovering over the long-term reliability of batteries and resale value, which may bite you hard somewhere down the line

Electric Cars and the Environment
Buying a hybrid or electric car because you think you're helping the environment may not be helping that cause as much as you think, if at all. Producing car batteries is a dirty and complicated process, and the net result is that there is a significantly higher environmental impact in building an electric or hybrid car than building a regular petrol or diesel car. So you're starting behind the environmental eight-ball before you've even driven you new green car.

Beware of "zero emissions" claims about electric vehicles, because most electricity still comes from fossil fuel sources (like gas or coal) rather than renewable sources, so you are still polluting the atmosphere when you drive, albeit not as much and the effects are not as noticeable to you. If you have your own solar panels or wind farm to power your car, this is much more environmentally friendly.

Range anxiety
The biggest electric car turn-off for car buyers (other than the high purchase price) is the joint problem of very limited range and very slow recharging. In a petrol or diesel car, you can drive for a few hundred miles, pull into a petrol station and five minutes later you are ready to drive for another few hundred miles. In an electric car, you drive for 50-100 miles, then have to stop and charge it for several hours to drive another 50-100 miles.

If you only take short journeys and can keep the car plugged in whenever it stops (usually at home or work), this may never be a problem. But you can't expect to jump in the car and drive a couple of hundred miles, or get away with forgetting to plug the car in overnight after a journey. You have to be much more disciplined in terms of planning your driving, and allow for recharging. Away from home this is still a big problem as there are relatively few power sockets available in public parking areas for you to use.

A plug-in hybrid like the Vauxhall Ampera/Chevrolet Volt gets around the range anxiety problem, as does a normal hybrid like a Toyota Prius, but you are carting a petrol engine (and fuel) around all the time which you may not need, adding hundreds of kilos of weight and taking up lots of space, so it's a compromise.

So as you can see from all of the above, it's not at all straightforward. You need to carefully consider what sort of driving you will be doing and what you need your car to be able to do.
*there is a complicated technical argument about whether the Ampera/Volt's petrol engine directly drives the wheels under certain circumstances, but it's really boring and doesn't really make any difference to how the car drives.
 

Stuart Masson is founder and owner of The Car Expert, a London-based independent and impartial car buying agency for anyone looking to buy a new or used car.
Originally from Australia, Stuart has had a passion for cars and the automotive industry for nearly thirty years, and has spent the last seven years working in the automotive retail industry, both in Australia and in London.

Stuart has combined his extensive knowledge of all things car-related with his own experience of selling cars and delivering high levels of customer satisfaction to bring a unique and personal car buying agency to London. The Car Expert offers specific and tailored advice for anyone looking for a new or used car in London.

His mission is to help people find the best car to suit them, at the best possible price. Visit his website at http://www.TheCarExpert.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Masson

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Hybrid Cars the Energy Savers

By Brian Neil

If you are a car enthusiast you will be interested to know how a hybrid car works. They are the most viable answer found so far to the problem of high fuel prices. They basically have two power sources. One is an internal combustion engine that burns gasoline in order to power the vehicle. The other is a battery that could store electric power to run an electric motor that could power the automobile.

The biggest advantage with hybrid cars is that they are able to generate power with the kinetic energy it will otherwise waste during applying brakes and when the vehicle is going downhill. Though a normal automobile will burn fuel to power the breaks the hybrids will absorb the energy and store it in their batteries in order to use it when the vehicle needs power. Due to this reason, a hybrid car is able to provide much better mileage per gallon of fuel than regular automobiles.

There are two types of hybrid cars. One is called the parallel hybrid and the other is the series hybrid. In a parallel hybrid car both the engine and the battery driven motor are connected to the transmission. When the vehicle moves, both gasoline engine and the electric motor provide power. Due to this reason, most hybrids use smaller engines to make them low in weight. These do not need a special starter motors to start them as the electric motor is able to do that. When it comes to series hybrids their engines are connected to the generators and the generators are able to either drive the transmission in order to move the vehicle or to charge the batteries
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A hybrid car uses several strategies to save power in order to emit cleaner emissions and to save money by using less fuel. When the car is stopped at a traffic signal, it doesn't need to run the engine. Therefore, the engine is shut off and only the electric motor will run. They also use lighter engines to reduce weight. The aero dynamic design is another way they save fuel. This will reduce the air resistance to a minimum.

Any hybrid car is made out of strong but light weight materials. This will reduce the overall weight of the automobile. Normally plastics, aluminium and carbon fiber are used. Almost all hybrid automobiles use gasoline engines but there are some diesel powered hybrids that are on the experimental stage. They could be still better on fuel economy.
 

Cars are the most popular mode of transport. However, their emissions have become a serious issue. Hybrid cars are an attempt to make them greener.
 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Neil

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Hybrid Vehicles - Are They Worth It?

By Heather Harless

Some environmental activists have encouraged people to trade in their current vehicles for a hybrid vehicle. Hybrid vehicles run on both gas and electric power; this may be better for the environment because they don't release as many carbon emissions. Activists often tout other benefits of using hybrids; the most common claim they make is that it will save people money at the pump.

This claim, however, is exaggerated, and in some cases may not be true at all. Hybrid cars don't save people money right away; it can take up to five years before customers would make up the extra money they spent for the hybrid. Several years ago truecar.com conducted a study that showed that gas prices would have to go up to $8 a gallon in order for the average hybrid owner to save money. Since gas prices usually don't go up past $4 or $5 a gallon, it's unlikely that your average hybrid car will save drivers money. This is especially true for drivers who like to purchase new vehicles every five or six years. By the time these drivers begin seeing savings, they will be ready to purchase a new vehicle, which negates the potential savings altogether.

If you are interested in purchasing a hybrid despite these problems, you should consider the Toyota Prius. The Prius has three advantages over other hybrid vehicles. It is cheaper than most other hybrids, it is more fuel-efficient, and its newest model is designed to look like a regular car. Like all Toyotas, the Prius uses stylish rims to add to the feeling that the car is a luxury vehicle despite its lower price.

As far as finances go, the reason to buy the Prius is its fuel efficiency; you'll need to fill up far less often when driving this vehicle. You'll also pay less per month on your car insurance since it's less expensive to purchase a Prius than other hybrid vehicles. Although you still won't see savings right away, with a Prius you can expect to begin saving money within two years rather than waiting a full five years, which makes this vehicle an excellent choice for those who enjoy buying new cars every few years. Of course, if you're concerned about style or about being trendy, the Toyota rims don't hurt, either.

All in all, there are many good reasons to invest in a hybrid, but money doesn't really seem to be one of them, unless you get a Prius. With gas prices continuing to rise, hybrids may seem more worthwhile, but if prices fall again, you won't save anything by driving a hybrid vehicle. If you want to drive a hybrid in order to protect the environment, go for it, but don't delude yourself into thinking that you are saving money. The real reason to drive one is because it can be trendy and stylish in addition to its benefits for the environment; money doesn't really come into it.

This article was brought to you by Heather Harless at OriginalWheels.com. For more information on Toyota Wheels or any Factory Rims please visit us.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Harless

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Will Hybrid Vehicles Dominate the Future of the Automotive Industry?

By Levi Quinn

People today are living in fact-paced environment where changes happen every day which directly and indirectly affect their lifestyles. Since the dawn of modern technology, changes became faster and new things emerge just as the old ones are on the verge of dominating the market they belonged. Computers, mobile phones, and other technological gadgets continually develops and innovates in a very quick span of time that new models from manufacturers are being launched a lot of times within a year. And these innovations and changes are ever growing as times pass by.

In the automotive industry, hybrid vehicles are the latest trends. Amidst the continuous improvements in conventional vehicles, these vehicle types found its way into the scope of attraction of consumers. Not only did they gain limelight because of their more modern mechanisms, they also captured the interests of people because of their very promising features. In fact, hybrid vehicles did not remain as a concept for too long. Giants in the car manufacturing industry have immediately jumped into the concept and created their very own version of hybrid vehicles, mostly hybrid cars; and began making them available to the market.

In the last 8 years or so, the popularity of hybrid vehicles maintained an impressive growth; with more and more people expressing their interest towards this automotive technological wonder. As well, other car manufacturers are also starting making their own hybrid vehicle versions; and planning to launch it to be marketed in the coming years. This scenario holds a very promising future for hybrids and for people who want to own one of these.

The rising popularity of hybrid vehicles is not surprising; considering its features and the advantages that they offer. These benefits allow people to go beyond the limits and restrictions of conventional vehicles; giving a wider scope of alternative for them; which, as far as convenience, is concerned, a very important factor that holds enormous impact.

Among the most attractive features and benefits being offered by hybrid vehicles include high fuel efficiency, better mileage, environmentally- friendly mechanism and more advanced interior accessory features that topple down conventional cars in the market. However, the considerably high price of hybrids is one factor that prevents the total domination of these car types in the market.

Despite the potential enormous savings that they can get from the cut on their fuel consumption, the price tags of these vehicles remain to be very expensive, especially for average- earning citizens.
Fortunately, innovations and developments are perpetually being done with hybrid vehicles. These offer greater promises for more convenience, and perhaps, more practical reasons for the patronization of these products. Overall, it is not impossible that hybrid vehicles will eventually dominate the automotive industry in the coming decades.
 

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Levi_Quinn

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Dear Hybrid Car - We Really Just Aren't That Into You

By Lance Winslow

Would you buy a hybrid automobile right now? Well, before you answer that you might want to consider the extra up-front costs and the return on investment that you'd supposedly be saving by having lower fuel costs. Even at $5.00 per gallon it takes a long time to pay off the additional $15,000 on average that a hybrid costs over the equal size and performance of a regular car. Okay so, let's talk about this shall we?

There was an interesting article recently in the LA Time on April 10, 2012 titled; "Many hybrid-car owners buy once -- but not again, Polk study says," by Jerry Hirsh which stated; "Only 35% of hybrid vehicle owners chose to purchase a hybrid again when they returned to the market in 2011, according to auto information company R.L. Polk & Co. If you factor out the super-loyal Toyota Prius buyers, the repurchase rate drops to under 25%."

That's unfortunate, so, even if you are dead set on helping the environment (in name only) and willing to fork over the extra dough to buy a hybrid to "look cool" and environmentally friendly, you probably won't ever do that again once you learn your lesson. Many who had bought hybrids in the past have had to replace the batteries, which can easily run $7,000 to $8,000 for replacements, meaning your hybrid's resale value isn't much at that point, nor does anyone want that trade in you see?

On April 18, 2012 the Wall Street Journal had an article by Mike Ramsey titled; "Ford CEO: Battery Is Third of Electric Car Cost," which just by the title you can start to see the problem with their new hybrid Ford Focus and the challenges with building a low-cost hybrid for the masses, in essence it isn't going to happen anytime soon, and no you can't get one in a flying car, as not only are those batteries expensive they weigh too much also, perhaps like many of the American drivers these days?
So, what's needed you wonder? Well, Automotive News had an article in the January 30, 2012 issue titled; "Auto Industry Works to Win Back Engineers - Companies Find Tough Competition for Top Candidates," by Danielle Emerson and Dustin Walsh. Yes, there is another problem with bringing the clean burning future automobile to fruition, they have to start back at the drawing board, and re-engineer from scratch, but who is going to do all that work?

The DOE is sponsoring new battery tech, and new materials are coming forth, but all of these things require a whole new type of future car, not similar to the systems in today's automobiles, then there is the testing, prototyping, lead time, re-tooling, regulations, lawsuits, union issues, and government red-tape - all that before they sell the first unit. And let's not forget the Chevy Volt didn't exactly get off to an electrifying start. The Toyota Prius has been built for over 12 years now, but it's hardly made a dent in the number of regular cars sold.

Perhaps, the biggest challenge of all besides the engineering, cost, maintenance challenges, regulations, re-tooling, and battery technology - well, it's still the consumer, "they just aren't that into you!" Please consider all this and think on it.
 

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Future Automotive Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

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Hybrid Cars Are Here to Stay

By Jennifer Hulbert

The good thing about improving technology is that it also usually educates people in the process. When car engines became more sophisticated and efficient, it also brought out the knowledge that there needed to be a newer type of engine that didn't rely so much on fuel. That, and the fact the gasoline was becoming even more expensive and expensive to process from oil sources. Engineers wanted to come up with engines that could run on more than just fuel so that the United States wasn't so dependent on other countries for oil in order to make the fuel to run the cars.

The answer was a hybrid engine. The hybrid part of it meant that it could run on standard fuel, but it would also work on other types of fuel too. There are several types of hybrid cars on the market now that work with a combination of electricity and fuel even. The hybrid vehicles can be small cars, SUVs, mid-sized cars and even cross-over models these days compared to only having one or two models just a decade ago. Will they be around for the future?

The short answer is yes. Hybrid cars will become a wave of the future because natural resources will become tapped and harder to find in the future. The harder they are to find, the more expensive they will become. And the refining process will also become more expensive, as labor and material prices continue to climb. Finding alternative fuel sources will become more important and even more popular than it is now.

Hybrid vehicles are not only better because they use less fuel and are cost effective, they release less emissions in to the air. The pollution levels put out decades ago was staggering and damaged the ozone layers of the Earth. Hybrid vehicles are created to run on other fuels not as a way to save money, but as a way to keep the Earth cleaner too. Engines that run on bio-fuels use materials that are readily available and replaceable in nature. When they are burned, they burn more efficiently and cleaner than fuel or even a combination of fuel and electricity can.

Keeping the air cleaner and using less fuel are two great reasons that will keep engineers continuing to work on hybrid car engine designs. What can a car be powered with so that it releases absolutely no emission in the future? How can a car be created so it costs very little to run for a family? Hybrid cars will come down in price and be affordable and a smart options for all families who want to keep the environment cleaner and save money in the process.
 

Service Plus Automotive is a family owned business since 1991. We are focused on providing the best possible customer service experience when servicing or repairing a customers vehicle. We strongly believe in customer education and regularly show the customer what needs repairing. We are very involved in various community activities and believe in giving back to the community who has supported us for almost 20 years. For more information, go to http://serviceplusautony.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Hulbert

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The Best Hybrid Cars - Why You Should Buy Them

By Kachalla Kolomi

The recent Political unrest in the Middle East have had a cascading effect on the global fuel supply and prices. The rising fuel prices have only added to the average consumers' woes, compelling them to resort to the use of fuel-efficient vehicles. To provide respite to consumers, the auto industry has introduced several hybrid cars, which are not only fuel efficient but environmentally friendly as well. These cars come equipped with a gas as well as an electric engine that allows you to alternate between the two. This unique trait makes it a very cost effective proposition for the average consumer. In this article, you will find 5 reasons why you should choose hybrid cars over fuel-powered vehicles.

1. Decreased expenditure - When you invest in a hybrid car, you no longer need to deal with the burden of fuel expenditure. These cars come fitted with two engines fueled by gas and electricity. When the gas supply in your car gets exhausted, it automatically switches to its electric power backup. The presence of an alternative source of energy in your car significantly cuts down on your fuel expenditure and you are able to save a lot of money in the process.

2. Better mileage and performance - Hybrid cars were designed with the objective of delivering a better output and mileage for the consumer. This is made possible by the use of a combined propulsion system in the steering mechanism of the cars. These cars are especially useful if you commute less than 40 miles a day, in that case you could save immensely on your gas consumption by utilizing the electric engine instead.

3. Safe and durable - One of the most notable features that is common to these cars in the market is that they rank high in terms of safety and durability. They are conceived using cutting edge technology that renders them extremely safe for travel. Additionally, the small size of these cars make them easy to maneuver, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

4. Efficiency plus - Hybrid cars come equipped with the latest technology that makes them highly efficient vehicles. All such cars have on-board computers, which regulate and monitor the efficiency of both engines. Depending on your fuel levels, the inbuilt computer would alternate between gas and electricity at an increased efficiency that is not common to conventional fuel empowered vehicles.

5. Environmentally friendly - Another compelling reason to choose a hybrid car over a fuel-powered one is that it is safer for the environment. Global warming and climate change are a real and impending threat today. These cars are a greener choice as they come equipped with zero-emission features. This significantly reduces the combustion processes of gasoline and prevents the formation of toxic pollutants that are harmful to the environment.

Some of the best hybrid cars that are highly sought after in the markets today include the Toyota Prius and the Chevrolet Volt, which have earned rave reviews on account of their versatility, fuel efficiency and utility.
 

Kachalla Kolomi is an Internet Marketer and Infopreneur. He has written several articles in various fields. Some of his articles which are related to buying the best hybrid cars can be found at http://www.makemoneyonsite.net/car/index.php

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Why Buy A Hybrid Car

By Sari M Crossman

If you are among the many other automobile owners who are coming to the conclusion that automobile exhaust is contributing to the phenomena of global warming, then you might wish to consider purchasing a one of these little powerhouses. But there are many other reasons why people might wish to purchase a hybrid even though they are significantly more expensive than cars with traditional combustion engines.

Hybrids are different from cars with combustion engines because they have two motors. The first is an electric motor, the second is an engine powered solely by gasoline. They also have been equipped with a special system that is able to capture the excess energy which is generated when the car's brakes are applied. They are capable of storing this excess energy in a battery.

Most people are resistant to the idea of purchasing a car that contains two motors because they worry that it will break down twice as many times as a car with just one motor. This is a difficult question for most automobile experts to answer. A car with two motors certainly has its positive and negative features. The biggest positive feature is that hybrids require no energy when they are idling in traffic at a red light or while waiting for a train to pass. They simply shut down. They also require less energy than combustion engine automobiles when running at lower speeds. This means that when you find yourself in stop and go traffic, your automobile will not emit exhaust because it will be running solely on battery power. When travelling at higher speeds, the gas engine will begin to operate. The engine powered by gasoline is the one that charges the battery.

People who drive cars which are powered solely by electricity have found themselves stranded on the side of the road simply because they did not have an extension cord handy. A hybrid will never need an electrical charge. It will always be ready to go whenever you are!

Owning a hybrid car is not an inexpensive proposition. Installing two motors and a storage system for the battery is expensive. Because the operating systems in hybrid cars are fairly complex, hybrids require very sophisticated internal computers. Thus, if you own a hybrid car you can expect higher repair bills when it has to go in for service. This is offset, however, by the lower day-to-day operating cost. Hybrids are the most efficient automobiles available in the mass-market today. They can get as much as 60 mpg which is very good gas mileage.

The only reason that hybrids have not become more popular is because most North American automobile owners are extremely reluctant to relinquish their fast cars. But if you question any owner of a hybrid car, they will most likely tell you that any loss in speed is made up for in efficiency in gas mileage. They know that even the smallest savings in fuel economy will add years to the life of their car's life.

As most people know, the Japanese automobile industry is way ahead of the US industry in manufacturing hybrids. Despite the high cost of gasoline, American drivers are still staunchly committed to their inefficient SUVs. This mentality may be starting to change itself, though. Ford has recently brought out its Escape which is a hybrid SUV. This car is rapidly becoming very popular with automobile buyers across the United States.
 

http://www.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm
http://www.parents.com/parenting/money/car-buying/reasons-to-buy-a-hybrid-car/

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5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Hybrid Vehicles

By Lisa L.

We believe that you've observed the term of "hybrid car" or even "hybrid SUV" frequently, but do you know exactly what it signifies? Within our hard work to save our planet, we can't stress enough exactly how essential for you to go for hybrid vehicle rather than standard automobile. The definition of a hybrid vehicle is given when a vehicle has much more than one type of power source to run its engine. "A hybrid car" term typically refers to Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) which combine electric motors together with gasoline engines to attain better travel for the environment. How?

Together with the gasoline engine, these electric motors offer assistants to enhance the vehicle's energy which later on resulting in the motor to operate along with significantly less gasoline.
There are top five explanations why people prefer to select Hybrid car or even SUV instead of standard car:

1. Hybrid vehicle works efficiently
Indeed, hybrid car eliminates the irritation of having to recharge your battery especially in time of need. In contrast to fully electric powered car where you need to plug it straight into an electrical outlet to charge its battery pack, utilizing Hybrid, the system will certainly automatically switch on to make use of the gasoline engine as soon as it detects the electric battery is lower.

2. Ease And Comfort
Apart from possessing a tax incentive coming from the IRS, purchasing a Hybrid car can in addition imply obtaining a car parking discount in certain key cities. Having a hybrid car has its advantage. You'll get to save a lot of cash from lowering your fuel consumption as well. Don't worry about the weather, the hybrid battery functions even in the course of severe conditions (cold and warm).

3. Best for the natural environment
Hybrid vehicles and also hybrid SUVs may be categorized as green automobiles as they minimize CO2 emission meaning less pollution within the air we inhale and exhale. Decreasing toxic emission furthermore impacts on our Ozone layer, it's better upon the natural environment. Moreover, through the use of hybrid automobiles, it will furthermore lower your fuel consumption.

4. Easy to maintain
In comparison to conventional vehicles, hybrid provides less moving parts in its system. Consequently the only maintenance expenses you probably need to spend would be on tires, wiper blades, or perhaps shocks. Just what about filter for both oil as well as air? Well, the great thing with regards to hybrid, it doesn't make use of oil. Simple as well as significantly less upkeep, keep you funds save in your pocketbook.

5. Aerodynamic style and design
One of the primary ideas of using hybrid automobile would be to decrease fuel usage by improving the amount of fuel efficiency. This could be achieved by designing aerodynamic architecture body that reduce drag and reduce weight. There are several car manufacturers that start creating hybrid vehicle with distinctive and futuristic body design for this particular purpose.

We write this informative article to not ask you to buy a hybrid car to help save the ecosystem. Actually, there are many methods you can do in lowering emissions such as utilizing bicycle more often or perhaps public transit. However, in the event that you can't live without a car, we strongly suggest you to purchase a Hybrid car instead of standard vehicle.
 

Click here to check out for an easy way to win a hybrid SUV. You can also find interesting eco friendly products on our website: green design blog.

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