Electric Cars: Are They in Your Future? by Floyd Dorrance

Hybrid Electric Car: A Promising Future for the Environment

When you think about "hybrid car", what do you think of first? Which aspects of "hybrid car" are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.
A hybrid-electric vehicle, or HEV, combines an electrical energy storage system with an occupied means of generating electrical energy, usually through the consumption of some type of fuel. Each type of HEV has its own operating quality and chosen design practices, as well as advantages and disadvantages.

The development of interior ignition engine vehicles, especially in automobiles, is one of the supreme achievements of modern technology as a new rising energy saving and environment -friendly vehicle, that's why the hybrid-electric vehicles were created to give convenience to every human.

In the process of creating the hybrid electric car, the most important is the energy saving and the environmental protection. Wherein nowadays these are the common problems faced by the society.

The main disadvantage of the electric car is that it is mainly dependent on the batteries and has limited range.

First of all, the hybrid electric car was supposed to be an electric vehicle with batteries for power storage and is also equipped with an on-board heat engine-powered generator. This means that this type of hybrid has an extended range.

Since the beginning of the use of automobiles, electric cars have been already recognized and conceptualized. Even though the electric power train is better in various aspects, as an energy source, the battery was unequal to the superior-energy content, easiness in terms of the handling, and inexpensive and profuse supplies of motor fuel.

The best time to learn about "hybrid car" is before you're in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable "hybrid car" experience while it's still free.
It has almost been a century since the electric car has been popularly discussed, but recent developments in the HEV technology and the growing concerns for the environment has revived the drive for an HEV and this has become a realization today.

We can consider the personal means of transportation as a very important bond in the economic chain of today's modern societies and that a private vehicle appears to be the popular choice.
Electric vehicles are more energy efficient than the contemporary vehicles wherein the electric vehicles operates at approximately 46 percent of effectiveness, while a contemporary vehicle operates at only 18 percent.

There are studies that generally concludes that electric cars with batteries are approximately 10 to 30 percent more efficient with energy than the usual gasoline cars, depending on the exact assumptions of the vehicles energy usage and energy chain efficiency.

The comparisons of the electric vehicles and the conventional vehicles are comparisons between an extremely developed power system that is nearly in the end of its research and development, and the innovative power system in the beginning stages of the development wherein important development can be expected as the new technology evolves.

The advantages of electric powered modes of transportation extends beyond the true outlook of economizing energy. Electric generation plants can use substitute fuels that are not adaptable to portable power systems.

Electric vehicles are the definitive alternative fuel vehicles because their power is taken from the source fuels utilized to produce electricity. Aside from that, the flexibility of the fuel alone can offer important useful and economic advantages especially in relation to a variety of energy resources.

The electric car is truly a promising technology that could transform one's means of transportation into a far more environmentally acceptable type of commodity. Through this innovation emission controls become more important, effective and economically beneficial.
The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you'll be glad you took the time to learn more about "hybrid car".

Toyota Prius Could Go Full Line

Toyota Motor Corp., the world's top seller of gasoline-electric autos and the second top automaker worldwide, may turn its mighty Prius into a full line of vehicles. This move is intended to triple its hybrid sales in the United States.US will account for more than half a million hybrid cars and light trucks. According to Jim Lentz, executive vice president of Toyota U.S. sales unit, "The automaker plans to sell worldwide each year by early next decade. Prius-based models might include a wagon and a smaller car.""For us to do 600,000, there will probably have to be Prius and derivatives of Prius that are selling in the neighborhood of 300,000 to 400,000. We don't have any plans to do that right now, but that's the direction that nameplate can go, because it is that strong," Lentz said at the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in Las Vegas.So far, among auto giants, Toyota is making the most aggressive promotion of gasoline-electric vehicles as the best obtainable option to control fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. In 2005, the automaker sold 235,000 hybrids globally. The number is four times more than the sales of Honda Motor Co. The latter is the second ranking automaker in said segment.One of Toyota's prides in terms of hybrid technology is Prius. The vehicle is the world's first hybrid that is commercially mass-produced. It went on sale internationally in 1997. In the US, Prius is linked with environmentalist and liberal politics. It is famed by celebrities who want to pursue environmental cause.The 2004 model of Prius is a redesigned version. Said car is based on Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD). Two years after, Prius is given minor cosmetic changes to boost safety and ergonomics. Finally, the 2007 version of the vehicle is given new features and enhanced Toyota car parts to make it more sophisticated, high-performing and safe. Moreover, the Touring edition of Prius is given bigger and sharper-pointed 7-spoke, 16-inch alloy wheels with plastic hub cab cover, elongated larger rear spoiler, firmer suspension, integrated foglights and advanced headlights for added protection and power.

The High Tech Hybrids

Do you think that hybrid cars and vehicles are the top notch when it comes to all other automobiles? Are you really that much of a believer in hybrid vehicles that you do consider them to be made with high technology and also offers high technology features to its drivers and users?

Well you may think such but keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are already vehicles of the past. Not in the sense that they are no longer the in thing or that they are not the fad anymore. In reference to vehicles of the past, this would be all about hybrid vehicles already created in the past. The only difference is that they were not hyped up and they were not sold as mainstream products. If they were, it is very much possible that they would be just like any ordinary vehicle you can find in the market which you can buy in the market clad in all its auto parts glory and oozing with appeal and power. Who knows? Perhaps many auto makers may already have had their own versions of hybrid vehicles and would be coming with interchangeable Pontiac parts or Ford truck parts for that matter.

Now it looks like the Ford Motor Company would like to get ahead of the competition and start up with the most high technology hybrid vehicle one can find in the market. And the company has employed the help of the successful Delphi Corporation to help them up create hybrid electrical powertrain systems and technologies. You see, a source from the company has disclosed that they are going to be producing two new Ford hybrids and would be using two new vehicle platforms made just for hybrid vehicles.

Aside from the mentioned powertrain systems and technologies, Delphi would also be the one to provide the batteries and the battery packs systems. Cooling systems would also be one of the parts that Delphi would be creating for Ford. These cooling systems would be used for the Ford Fusion Hybrid vehicle and the Mercury Milan Hybrid vehicle which the company is planning on sending out for the 2008 model year.

Thomas Goesch is the product line manager of Delphi and he does say, "Delphi has been developing power electronics and technologies for nearly 20 years. We are using our unique systems integration 'know how' in this emerging field to help hybrid vehicle manufacturers offer consumers efficient, cost competitive and reliable hybrid vehicles." He does even further add, "Starting early in the development process with vehicle manufacturers, Delphi focuses on aggressively lowering the hybrid electric vehicle cost of powertrain electrification through component design, system design, manufacturability and controls and algorithms development. These savings can be passed on to add more value for the consumer."

So Where Is The Electric Car? by Frank Vanderlugt

The electric car, once touted as the "car of the future." It runs quietly and has no negative impact on the environment while you're driving down the road. It could be the way for our society to free itself from its dependency on oil. So where is the electric car? Why are they not produced by the millions?

One of the most prominent setbacks of the electric car is that the maximum speed necessary for ordinary highway travel is difficult to achieve. Many people own an electric car to use only when driving on errands around town because long-distance trips are out of the question.
This is not to say that an electric car has never achieved high speeds. In fact, the REVA is one such electric car that's available only as a neighborhood electric car in the US but has the maximum electric car capabilities in the UK, allowing even some highway travel. Still, top electric car speeds don't match that of gas-powered cars.

Another drawback of the electric car is its size. The bigger the car, the more energy is needed to power the car. The electric car's current capabilities are only enough to power relatively small cars. A modern family with a few groceries or packages would not find a small electric car convenient.
And what of the environmentally-friendly aspect of electric cars? Most people who are willing to spend the extra money and to live with the aforementioned inconveniences of having an electric car do so because they are tried of ever-climbing gas prices and of the world's dependency on polluting oil. Electric cars are entirely clean and have no negative impact on the environment--while they're running, at least.

Unless you're one of the very few who live in a city with an alternate energy power plant or you've converted your residence to be powered by alternative energy such as solar power, hydroelectric power, or wind power and you only charge your electric car battery at those outlets, your electric car pollutes.

If you get your electrical energy from a coal-burning plant, the electric car's battery is contributing to burning coal as it charges--at a rate which is not much less than burning gas in a car. If your city is powered by nuclear power, at least it's a cleaner burning form of energy, but there is still the problem of the disposal of toxic waste. Plus, you're spending just about if not more money on the extra charge on your utility bill as you would at the gas pump.

So the electric car has been put back on the drawing board, every so often resurfacing with a new innovation to counteract some of these problems. The most popular and successful twist on the electric car has been the hybrid car, which runs partially on gas and partially on the electric car battery.

The hybrid car cuts back on gas and electric battery charging pollution and the amount you spend on gas and utilities, but combined, they're still not far from the pollution and cost of maintaining a gas-powered car. Still, hybrid cars allow for a bigger size vehicle and for top speeds on highways.
If you're thinking about buying an electric car, make sure that all of these inconveniences are worth it and that the reason you're buying an electric car--you want to cut back on pollution, for example--is actually worthwhile. If you want to send a message about oil and cut back on gas consumption, you might want to look into a hybrid car instead.

The Advantageous Hybrid Cars

Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid and Lexus GS 450h are just some of the hybrid cars available on the market. Toyota Pruis is the number one best selling hybrid car. Because it has more space, power and functionality, it maintained its reputation as the most sought after hybrid car of today. Honda Civic runs the second to this car. Why do you choose to have a hybrid car? Hybrid cars can be complicated aside from being expensive. Of course, who would not be proud to drive a car worth half a million dollars? Car enthusiasts choose to buy hybrid cars because not everyone can afford to have it. You need to have bulks of dollars to have one. However, hybrid cars are more preferred by many. Why? Read on and find out.Like conventional cars, hybrid car parts are also replaceable. Plus, hybrid auto parts sources are found everywhere. For Toyota Camry Hybrid, online Toyota car parts are always available. For example, if the joint ball of your Toyota Camry Hybrid is used up, you can always replace it with an authentic Toyota Camry Ball Joint. So, it will look and function like new again. Hybrid cars are environment friendly as it has 90% fewer emissions. It is also beneficial to health especially if you have kids. Scientists believe that hybrid cars do not contribute much on air pollution thus it reduces the possibility of global warming. It has reduced oil dependency which adds 15% to 30% more on fuel efficiency. To top it all, hybrid car owners save on tax. The IRS has adopted large tax credit for purchase of new hybrid automobiles. But remember, these are credits, not deductions. The tax being paid depends upon the model of a particular hybrid car. The law states that every automaker is only allowed 60,000 vehicles to avail of the credit limit. It means that famous models should be sold out before Dec 31, 2010, the expiration date. Now, why should you buy a hybrid car? Of course, it is as reliable and comfortable as conventional cars. And with these reasons, should you not get one?

All About Hybrid Vehicles by Lydia Quinn

With fuel costs continuing to rise and the many environmental concerns with using a traditional gas engine vehicle, the need has arisen for vehicles that save on fuel costs and also are more friendly to the environment. To fill this need, hybrid cars have risen from relative obscurity to enjoy mainstream success with strong sales.

The general definition of a hybrid vehicle can be traced back thousands of years, even to ancient sea vessels that used the power of both wind and rowing. This term can refer to any vehicle that uses two or more methods of power, including gas, electric, natural gas, vegetable oil, fuel cells, ethanol and other biofuels.

How Does It Work?

While there are many different types of hybrid vehicles with different mechanisms for power, let's examine one of the most popular hybrids on the road today, the Toyota Prius. The Prius uses both gas and electricity. Under the hood, it includes an internal combustion engine (gas engine) and an electric motor, with each system connected to each other and the vehicle through the vehicle's transmission. For power storage, the vehicle uses a battery, which is also used to power the vehicle's accessories like air conditioning and climate control. The electric motor and internal combustion engine work in parallel, which means that either or both can power the vehicle at the same time. Regenerative braking is also included in the Prius, which saves and stores kinetic energy while braking. The transmission of the Prius is a continuously variable transmission, which uses an onboard computer to eliminate the need for shifting.

Costs

In general, hybrid vehicles cost more upfront to purchase than a conventional vehicle with the same general specifications. A Prius, for example, costs between $20,000 and $24,000 depending on the options you select. A similar vehicle with a conventional engine can cost several thousand dollars less. Upfront, the costs are significantly higher. Over the long run though, a hybrid can save in fuel costs, thereby absorbing the upfront additional cost and then paying for itself in fuel savings over the course of years.

Advantages

- Cost savings is a huge factor, while the savings may take a while to come to fruition, fuel efficiency and cost savings in the long run is a serious advantage - Environmentally, a hybrid is a sound car to drive, with less gas needed and less pollution - The hybrid cars of yesteryear, with their funny looks and funny names are being replaced by sporty and elegant looking hybrids, there are even SUV's available that are hybrids. If looks were a concern then, they aren't now.

Future Of Hybrids

The future is uncertain for hybrids, with so many other fuel saving and environmentally safe alternatives already in the pipeline or in development including many biofuels, fuel cells, full on electric powered cars, as well as ethanol making a huge splash, hybrids will need to evolve even further to keep their lead.

7 Reasons To Buy A Hybrid Car

You’re probably hearing a lot about hybrid cars these days. They are definitely being discussed everywhere. Hardly a day goes by that a major newspaper or television network isn’t doing a feature story on hybrids. And everyday it seems like one car manufacturer or another is introducing a new hybrid vehicle. So what’s all the buzz about?Well, hybrids are a new type of vehicle that runs on electricity (from a battery) and gasoline. Now, that’s a novel idea isn’t it? Hybrids are picking up steam (sounds like a pun doesn’t it?) everywhere, including the world’s most a car lovin’ city – Los Angeles – where many of the top stars are hybrid owners.In the “City of the Angels” you’ll see environmentally forward thinking celebrities, like Bill Maher, Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and “Seinfeld” co-creator and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” creator and star, Larry David behind the wheel of their hybrids. You might also see the lovely Cameron Diaz cruisin’ the Hollywood Hills in her hybrid. And when Leonardo Di Caprio really wants to feel like “the king of the world,” guess what he’ll be driving? You did guess a hybrid, didn’t you?What do the stars know that you don’t? Well they know that driving a hybrid makes a lot of sense (and may save some cents too! :-) )

Want to know more about hybrids? Good. Now here are 7 reasons to buy a hybrid car.

1. The smaller hybrid compacts and sedans save considerable amounts of fuel compared to cars powered by gas turbine engines. If you’re interested in saving dollars on gas, this could be your solution.

2. The larger hybrid cars are not concerned with fuel efficiency. These cars are purchased because their owners want to boost power and performance. If you’re looking to get higher performance, consider a hybrid.

3. Hybrids can save you money in a multitude of ways. While the typical hybrid is about $3000 more than a typical car, this cost differential will narrow as auto manufacturers produce more hybrid cars in the future. The hybrid savings come in the form of state and federal incentives, reduced maintenance costs, and of course, lower fuel costs.

4. Your hybrid will even be financially advantageous to you when you decide it’s time to sell it. The resale value of hybrid cars is exceptional. Unlike most cars, hybrids hold their value at an astonishing level.

5. If you care about the planet and you’re concerned with the kind of environment you leave for future generations, driving a hybrid car is an important environmental statement. Hybrids generate less pollution than their standard counterparts.

6. Driving a hybrid saves gas. That’s a positive for our economy. The less we, as a society, spend on gas means we have more money to spend on other essentials and luxury products. We could even save the money we would have spent on gas and use it for our savings or investment plans.

7. Driving a hybrid could help America fight the war in Iraq. Here’s why. In addition to funding U.S. soldiers and the Iraqi efforts to create a democracy, many experts contend the U.S. is actually funding both sides of the Iraqi war. They believe Middle Eastern oil interests’ are using part of their profits to fund the insurgency. So, in effect, our excessive oil consumption makes it more difficult to bring peace to Iraq. Bottom line: the less we spend on gas and oil means less financial resources for our enemies overseas.

For all of these reasons, hybrid cars are “the next big thing in the automotive world.” So when it comes time for your next auto purchase, do yourself a favor and check out some hybrids cars. You might find that a hybrid is the perfect car for you.

An Alternative Fuel Vehicle story by David Odell

It seems apparent that the world is heading towards an energy crisis. The meter is heading towards "E" on petroleum and we need an alternative fuel vehicle. Cars can't run on good wishes alone and we need an alternative fuel source that is both economical as well as earth-friendly. One of the options for efficient energy seems to be the hybrid electric vehicle. Hybrid electric vehicles are a top contender to be the alternative fuel vehicle, replacing the gasoline powered vehicles of today. They are efficient, reliable and becoming most cost effective every day. No wonder they're quickly becoming popular. Besides the "green" factor, the designs of these types of vehicles are also pleasing to the eye - unlike the early clunky looking models.
Popularly known as the hybrid, this alternative fuel vehicle runs on battery electric power and good old fashioned gasoline. It gets much higher mileage per gallon than traditional vehicles and dispels less carbon dioxide to boot. Not only that, this alternative fuel vehicle is being adopted by and large in the marketplace. Most major automotive manufacturers produce at least one hybrid and you can buy them at any new car dealership. Many manufacturers of vehicles are adding hybrids to their line up of available models.
Another benefit to this kind of alternative fuel vehicle is that it will last longer because there's less wear and tear. Alternative energy research has given us a vehicle with a combustion engine that stops running when you enter a traffic jam or slow down considerably and the battery electric engine takes over. This means you won't wear your combustion engine out by taking off or slowing to idle. Instead, you can rely on the dependable and less complex battery engine that gives you better acceleration and torque to begin with. You also get the benefit of recapturing waste energy via the regenerative braking system, which helps minimize pollution.
Like any new technology, hybrids run with a higher price tag than traditional gasoline powered vehicles. At the present time, the lofty price tag of an alternative fuel vehicle would put a hurtin' on any blue collar worker's pocketbook. But for some, the benefits might just outweigh the costs. For instance, the "hybrid premium" is often offset by the payback period wherein the cost is balanced out by a savings on gas over time. Not to mention that most other types of alternative fuel cars depreciate much faster than a conventional car but that isn't the case at all with the hybrid. In fact, studies have shown that hybrid vehicles will actually depreciate at a slower rate than conventional vehicles, making this alternative fuel vehicle a better choice for consumers that want to live a "greener" lifestyle.
A final positive is that the hybrids can also run on other forms of alternative fuel. Vehicle manufacturers can add a flexible fuel engine, or you can just use bio-diesel, ethanol or biogas. This gives hybrids a flexibility that most others in the alternative fuel vehicle category don't have.
After much deliberation and consideration it would appear that the hybrid is the best choice when buying an alternative fuel vehicle. You have the benefit of higher gas mileage and better engine performance. As well as the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions which will help stave off global warming. These benefits make the hybrid a very popular and tangible alternative fuel vehicle, unlike some of the other vehicles in the category.

Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Hybrid Car

1. - Gas Savings - Hybrid cars can get up to 60 mpg (miles per gallon), due to their advanced aerodynamics, engine efficiency, tire technology (which is so different to the standard cars) just to mention some of its characteristics.

2. - Environmental Issues - Reduced gas emissions equals less air pollution because a hybrid car has an electric motor and batteries to rely on when the gasoline engine is not in use. They can reduce smog up to 90%.

3. - Better engine efficiency - Reducing the overall weight of the hybrid car is a way to increase its efficiency, smaller engines equals better efficiency. Another way is how the hybrid cars recharge they batteries, the hybrids battery pack never needs to be charged from an external source, every time you hit the brake, the brake system stores some of the energy to the batteries (this is known as regenerative braking). Also the batteries get recharged by the gasoline engine when necessary.

4. - Low Maintenance costs - The electrical motor and the batteries dont require any maintenance; they have the same life span as the car itself. The gas engine doesnt require any more maintenance than any other normal car.

5. - Government Incentives - Theres a federal tax deduction for hybrid cars; the new hybrid car tax credit is divided into two parts with tax credits ranging from $400 to $3400. The great news is that a credit is much better than a deduction since the credit does reduce the taxes that are owed. The deduction simply reduces the amount of taxable income.