If you are still not convinced that a hybrid is right for you, that is perfectly fine.

JUST NOTE AND REMEMBER:

There are definite differences between a gasoline-engine car and a hybrid car.  Look around you. Ask yourself. Have you seen a hybrid vehicle in the last week? It is true, more and more they are making their way onto our roads,  driveways, parking lots and garages.

HYBRID CAR FACT: Honda and Toyota lead the way and they plan to keep experimenting with these two sources of power.  A hybrid car is a cross between a gasoline-powered car and an electric car. 

Just to illustrate a point ‘hybrid machines’ like these have been in use in other equipment long before personal commute vehicles and transportation we see today. Diesel-electric trains and locomotives, buses, submarines and cruise-ships (nuclear-electric).

HYBRID CAR FACT: For a gasoline-powered car a fuel tank supplies gasoline to the engine of that car.  The engine turns the transmission, which causes the wheels to turn and the car to move. 

A hybrid car differs from the gasoline-powered car because a set of batteries provides electricity to an electric motor.  This turns the transmission, and the transmission turns the wheels.

Why do we want to Use Hybrid Cars?

1. It is designed specifically for a purpose and intent – clean running and efficient.
   
   
2. Increasing the mileage
   
   
3. Reducing the emissions of a gas-powered car
   
   
4. Having more power than the electric car. 
   
   
5. Cut down on unnecessary pollution
   
   
6. Avoid rising gasoline pricing and costly fill-ups at the pump
   
   
7. Enough horsepower to deliver the power and performance that you need.
   
   
8. Engine is much lighter so that the car will not have to use extra energy in order to accelerate.
   
   
9. Components are smaller requiring less fuel   using less fuel when starting up, getting better gas mileage, using less all-round!
   
   
10. Fuel-efficient, eco-friendly and conscious, stylish

There are many great reasons to invest in hybrids. Some individuals or interest groups will argue that the pricing is still too high, technology too expensive. Fact is the market is growing and expanding with more models launching every year and automakers jumping at the chance to infuse their market. Stay tuned… this is NOT just another fad!

Here are quick examples for your review of TWO GREAT cars that are available right now! They are also amongst the top sellers, high in demand and most frequently purchased.

Honda Insight

1. Honda’s version of the hybrid car is called the Insight,
   
   
2. Pricing starts at around $19,000 for the base model.
   
   
3. Introduced in 2000
   
   
4. Sold and marketed as getting the best possible mileage and being good for he environment
   
   
5. It is a two-door coupe, small and very lightweight. 
   
   
6. 1.0L  engine that weighs only 124 pounds and is the primary source of power. 
   
   
7. Additional power is provided by an electric motor which is powered by a 120 cell rechargeable battery. 
   
   
8. The gas engine provides power when the car is in motion It shuts off at stop lights and stop signs and automatically restarts itself when you press the gas pedal again. 
   
   
9. The Insight can reach speeds of 100 mph and averages around 60 overall.   
   
   
10. Aerodynamic shape allows it to have the low coefficient drag (Cd) of 0.25. 
    
    
11. The Honda Civic Hatchback in comparison has a Cd of 0.36 and requires more than 32% more power to reach the same speed. 
    
    
12. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a set of Insights were tested and had an overall average of 46.8 miles per gallon.

Honda Insight

(Source: ©  http://sayhenry.com/future.htm)

Toyota Prius

1. Toyota‘s top-seller hybrid and mass favorite the Prius. 
   
   
2. Launched in 1997 in Japan
   
   
3. Designed originally to reduce emissions in cities. 
   
   
4. Pricing starts at about $20,000 for the base model.
   
   
5. Four door sedan seating up to five people. 
   
   
6. Gas engine turns off and on while driving. 
   
   
7. The gas engine doesn’t start until the car reaches the speed of 12 mph. 
   
   
8. Provides extremely low emissions when traveling in crowded areas. 
   
   
9. Travels 50 miles per gallon, which helps with fuel costs.
   
   
10. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a set of Pruis’ were tested and had an overall average of 41.9 miles per gallon. 

Toyota Prius
(Source: ©  http://sayhenry.com/future.htm)

This table, taken from http://sayhenry.com/future.htm compares the two most popular hybrid cars now available. 

Buying your hybrid vehicle (or not) is also not the end of the story. They why and how of hybrid vehicles, the best deal and ensuring you get the optimal, ultimate benefits from your car is also at stake.

If you understand how the hybrid technology works, the argument is that you will also be able to get the most from the vehicle by optimizing drivability, fuel economy and gas mileage.

Getting Better Mileage From  A Hybrid Car

Increasing mileage and taking advantage of fuel economy is a major motivator for many who opt to invest in these vehicles

1. Driving Slower – It is a known fact that the drag on your car will increase the faster you drive.  The drive force at 70 mph is double that at 50 mph (How Stuff Works).  Slowing down can increase your mileage.
   
   
2. Try to maintain a constant speed – remember that each time you speed up your car has to use more energy. 
   
   
3. Avoid abrupt stops – the electric motor in the hybrid cars take energy out of the car when is has to stop.  If you give the motor more time to slow the car then it will be able to recover more of the energy.

How do I get Maximum Fuel Efficiency?

I found this interesting question from HowStuffWorks.com, as it tried to explain how to figure this part of owning a Hybrid  out. It forms part of the motivation and value-proposition of hybrid vehicles and might help you make up your mind if it is for you or not.

One of the tips to increase gas mileage is to travel at a constant speed.  The question is, what is that magical speed that will give you the most out of your fuel. 

To explain this we must know how much power it takes to push a car down the road.  The power required is explained by the following equation:
road load power = av + bv2 + cv3

The letter v represents the velocity of the car, and the letters a, b and c represent three different constants:

* The a component comes mostly from the rolling resistance of the tires, and friction in the car's components, like drag from the brake pads, or friction in the wheel bearings.

* The b component also comes from friction in components, and from the rolling resistance in the tires. But it also comes from the power used by the various pumps in the car.

* The c component comes mostly from things that affect aerodynamic drag like the frontal area, drag coefficient and density of the air.

This equation says that if you double your speed, you will increase the power required by much more than double. A hypothetical medium sized SUV that requires 20 at 50 mph might require 100 horsepower at 100 mph.

By plugging some speeds into the equation we can see how a 1 mph increase from 2 to 3 mph compares with a 1 mph increase from 50 to 51 mph. To make things easy we'll assume a, b and c are all equal to 1

(Source: © http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question477.htm)

If this is a major concern of yours when selecting or opting to buy a Hybrid, bear in mind that purchasing is only half the equation. Using and maintaining the vehicle and on-going responsibility. Driving it as such to get the maximum benefit from the hybrid technology also important.

Is the Hybrid Car for You?

Again, buying a car has a complex set of very personally motivated aspects and selection criteria that varies for different people and groups.

In general terms, Hybrids are…

1. All-round better for the environment
   
   
2. provides you with all the essentials of a gasoline-engine car
   
   
3. saves you money on fuel costs. 
   
   
4. Hybrids tend to be between $1,500 and $2,000 more expensive upfront
   
   
5. tax refunds and rebates are available for the purchase of hybrid for that money
   
   
6. A viable,  affordable  alternative

If you are looking to buy a new car, consider a hybrid vehicle that will help BOTH the environment and your wallet, The most popular being the Prius and Insight as well as the new Civic Hybrid. Good luck with your hybrid purchase.

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