Eco-friendly, fuel efficient cars are not entirely new ideas. For more than a decade there have been eco-conscious individuals who insisted on powering their vehicles with vegetable oil. We may have thought they were a bit eccentric a few years ago, but it’s turning out that those individuals were just ahead of their time. Today, years later, the concept of hybrid cars, SUVs, trucks and other forms of alternatively-powered vehicles is not only environmentally responsible, it’s an up and coming trend!
So why are hybrid cars so much better than gas guzzlers of the past? That’s easy. It’s because of the fuel efficient and eco-friendly concept hybrids of all shapes and sizes are designed around.
Gas-Powered Cars:
We all know what a gas-powered car is: you probably pass hundreds of them on your way to work each day. Essentially, a gas-powered car is equipped with a gas tank that sends fuel to the engine. The gas-reliant engine powers the transmission, which then turns the wheels. Typically a gas-powered car’s fuel tank can provide a travel distance of 300 miles or more; it is also simple to refuel and has high rates of speed capabilities.
Electric Cars:
An electric car, on the other hand, has no gas tank. It runs entirely off a series of batteries that give electricity to an electric motor, which then powers the transmission and turns the wheels. It requires frequent recharging and has a limited traveling distance of just 50 to 100 miles before the engine needs to be recharged.
Hybrid Innovation:
When you combine gas-powered convenience with eco-friendly electricity you get a gas-electric hybrid car that has capabilities of traveling 500 miles or more on a tank of gas and is better for the environment all at the same time.
Some key components of a hybrid car are:
- The hybrid car comes complete with a gasoline engine smaller than that of a typical car, and it uses advanced technologies to help reduce emissions and improve efficiency.
- The hybrid fuel tank stores energy to start the gasoline and electric engines. One gallon of gasoline is approximately the same as 1000 batteries when it comes to energy output.
- The electric motor acts as the hybrid’s generator. A hybrid can either use battery power to accelerate the car or can restore energy to the batteries when the vehicle decelerates.
- The batteries provide power to the electric motor, which helps reduce the use of gasoline.
- The hybrid transmission is the same as a gas-powered car, just more advanced to accommodate hybrid technology.
On the Market:
Since hybrids employ relatively advanced technology, you know there’s going to be some major advances in the future. Possibly the near future. Currently there are eight “hybrid” cars that are available to the open public, and by late 2008 two more models and a redesign for a current hybrid are expected to hit the market. Some hybrids that are in the works now include the following:
- In 2009 Honda will release the FIT Hybrid. Rumor has it that the FIT will be the only car priced under $16,000 that will have a fuel economy estimated around 60-mpg.
- Hyundai is supposed to release a newly modeled hybrid car in 2009. The 2009 Hyundai Accent is expected to sell for approximately $16,000 and have an estimated EPA highway fuel rating of 45-mpg.
- Ford Motors is working on a Ford Five-Hundred Hybrid and a Ford Fusion Hybrid.
- Hyundai is in the mix with the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
- Mercury is planning on the release of the Mercury Milan Hybrid.
All of these in-production models are expected to be released sometime in the next few years.
