Cost benefits of hybrid cars

The not so recent change in gas prices, which are still rising depending on the day, and the realization by the masses that destroying the environment might not be the smartest thing have driven many vehicle manufacturers to start developing hybrid cars. In America alone, there have been over 1,000,000 hybrid vehicles on the road since May of 2008. Industry giants such as Toyota and GM have made huge and determining strides in the eco-friendly direction. You’ll see much fewer gas-guzzling big trucks from GM, but many more light, fuel-and-money-efficient cars. Surprisingly for some, Toyota is way ahead of the curve when it comes to producing hybrid cars. This can be seen by their best selling hybrid, the Prius.

And it’s not just your average Joe trying to save money, gas, and the environment. Even Hollywood stars have jumped on board with the idea. We can see this at the latest Academy Awards, where the flashy limousines were definitely not the most glorious way of coming to and getting onto the red carpet. Time and again, celebrities kept coming in a hybrid car.

Not surprisingly, your hybrid car will have 2 engines under the hood. The 1st of the engines is an electric motor, and the 2cd is the gasoline engine we all know and love. How does this work? It’s relatively simple. If your car is going at a steady speed, or if it is just sitting but the engine is going, then the gas engine will automatically shut itself off, and the electric motor takes over. This is especially nice if you happen to get caught in a traffic jam with your engine still running. There’s a lot of pollution that is caused by our many traffic jams. If you’re in the process of accelerating, then the gas engine takes over long enough to pump in the required gas, and then gives control back to the electric engine.

Doing this is a nice way to cut down on the consumption of fossil fuel. By doing this, it’s cut down to nearly half of the consumption, as well as half of a normal emission level.

Ford Fusion Hybrid Car Review

November 5, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Alternative Fuel, Electric Cars

Most auto journalists will complain about eco-friendly cars, and the people who drive them. Only tree-hugging eco- geeks with disdain for good taste and high performance like the poorly made, loud, jerky hybrid cars. Somewhere along the line, people began to look at hybrid cars as poor performing and ugly vehicles only made as a temporary fashion. Eco-cars are here, people, and they’re here to stay. I’d like to hear them find something to complain about once the 2010 Ford Fusion hits the wheel. With 41 mpg (city), it nearly doubles the city efficiency of its non-hybrid counterpart.

Many people are raving about this hot little family sedan, saying that it’s the best gas-electric hybrid to be put out yet. It’s no surprise when you compare its 41 city/36 highway to similar models in its class, which admittedly isn’t much. Hybrid cars don’t often cater to family-sized vehicles. With the rising demand of eco-friendly cars, however, more family models are being made available
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It’s also noted that the transitioning from gas to electric mode is seamless. No shuddering or shimmying when the gas picked up to help the electric. Not even the 107,000 dollar Lexus can boast that 100% of the time. A really wonderful thing, especially given that it’s a family vehicle and youngsters might get a scare out of such a thing.

The suspension, steering, handling, and over all quiet ride makes it very appealing – especially for a family sedan. You won’t feel like the 50 year old family man in this bad boy. With the engines combined, the output of the Fusion Hybrid is 191 horsepower. A truly impressive feat for a hybrid car.

As with all things good, there is criticism. The most consistent of which is that Ford exaggerated how fast and long the car could go in all-electric mode. 47 mph and 2 miles? Only if the conditions are absolutely perfect. Otherwise you can’t really expect to go more than four or five blocks at a rather low speed.

Top ten green hybrid cars

Here is the list for top 10 green cars recommended for the year 2009:

The Toyota Prius: This is the world’s bestselling and first commercial hybrid car with prices starting at £18,000. It provides CO2 emissions around the 90g/km mark and so is a great family saloon. The car was first launched in 1997.

The Honda Insight Hybrid is also a family saloon having five seats and five doors and it aims to be significantly cheaper than the Prius. However, it is unable to achieve lower CO2 levels than the new Toyota Prius. The prices start at £15,490.

The Ford Ka ECOnetic is definitely worthy of making any top ten green car lists; as it gives CO2 emissions of 112g/km, which is almost as impressive as the successful Fiesta ECOnetic. The Prices for this car start at an estimated £8500.
The Toyota IQ: This car is less than 3 metres long and thus the smallest four seater and gives emissions of 99g/km and capable of 65.7 mpg. Though it cannot be called the lap of luxury but should be in the list of top ten green cars.

The Honda CR-Z is going on sale sometime in December with prices starting at £16,000; this car can be called a sexy hybrid sports coupe and is a definite among the top ten green cars.

The MINI Cooper D: With 108bhp 1.6litre diesel, this car model gives CO2 emissions of 104 g/km and is capable of 72.4mpg. The engine also comes with an auto start-stop function which switches the engine off while the vehicle is stationary or in neutral. It can then engage the clutch for restarting the engine. Prices of this car begin at £14 420.

The Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Blue Motion was the first model to be launched under VW Blue Motion badge. It is smaller than the Volkswagen Golf and includes no road tax to be paid on this car because of the carbon emissions of only 99g/km. The car is capable of achieving 0-62 mph in 12.8 seconds. Its prices start at £12 120.

The Volkswagen Golf Blue Motion TDI gives CO2 emissions of 119g/km. This one is a medium size car that requires only 4.5 litres of fuel per 100 km. Like all the other blue motion range the improvements in emissions were achieved by the use of a recalibrated engine management system. Prices are supposed to start at £15,565.

BMW 118d Saloon has similar to Volkswagen CO2 emissions of 119 g/km and is another family sized car. It was declared 2008 World Green Car so ought to be a contender for any top ten green car list. It can achieve an impressive 0- 100 km/h in just 8.9 seconds and its prices start from £18 350.

The Skoda Fabia Greenline Estate gives CO2 emissions of 109g/km and as claimed by Skoda, this family estate car has the best green credentials than any other estate car available in the price range of Fabia. Its prices start at £12 140 for the estate.

France to Invest Heavily on Electric Cars

October 10, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Alternative Fuel, Electric Cars

France has unveiled plans to invest 1.5 billion Euros on the infrastructure for the 2 million hybrid and electric cars that it want on roads by 2020 and with this announcement, “The battle of the electric car” was launched. France is aiming to be a world leader in the energy and car industry, as reported by the Jean-Louis Borloo, the ecology minister of France, while presenting his government’s strategy to reduce CO2 emissions with the help of eco-friendly cars. He also said that no player can take the risk alone but it works if all actors take it at the same time, after being flanked by the top French car makers PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault. The project will cover everything from industrial research, producing clean cars, making batteries and building a nation-wide network of battery-charging stations.

Earlier to this announcement, Borloo had said that France plans to invest more than 7 billion Euros i.e. around 10 billion dollars for development of freight transport by rail to reduce road traffic. These schemes are said to be part of “Green plan” for France by President Nicholas Sarkozy and it aims to reduce green house gas emissions responsible for global warming. To bring this into effect, he also announced a new carbon tax on individuals and businesses to encourage consumers to cut down on gas, oil and coal and this is supposed to come into force next year.

Currently, out of 30 million French cars on roads, only a few thousands are electric or hybrid and so major investment would be required to build two million of them. 900 million dollars out of 2.2 billion earmarked is hoped to come from a state loan due for launch next year. The money though would be mostly used for infrastructure, but buying of cars and subsidies for both buyers and makers of clean vehicles will also be funded with it. According to the plan, around a million battery-charging stations will be built by the year 2015, 90 percent of them would be in private homes but also in roadside sites and car parks. All new apartments having parking lots will have to include charging stations by 2012 so that the network grows to 4 million points by 2020, which is equivalent to two per vehicle.

Water hybrid car scam

When everyone talked of water run cars people just couldn’t believe their eyes and eyes. In these of skyrocketing fuel, petrol and oil prices it comes as a boon if it really works. But already many people are converting their cars into hybrid cars even though some people are quite skeptical about this. This is because how could so many scientists couldn’t find out this technology during all these years.

The car runs on water when H2O is combusted in water. If a person builds this system on his own, it costs him a mere $150. Many people argue that it is extremely impossible to extract any form of energy that is powerful enough to make a car run. Some people say that it may be possible but for doing so a huge amount of water is required. Many people question if any one can run a car on water why major automobile giants are wasting their time and energy in the production of hybrid cars.

Water hybrid cars are hybrid cars are the worst polluters contrary to the advertisements. The rechargeable battery label says that it can’t be disposed off. The battery contains toxic and heavy metals that pollute ground water. The battery is heavier and weighs around 600 pounds. If a hybrid car meets with accident along the riverside, it contaminates the entire water supply that can be disastrous. 20 years from now, hybrid cars become extinct and all their batteries in the garage will be continuously leaking heavy metals into the soil.
It is true that rechargeable batteries can be recycled. But hybrid cars use batteries made of nickel metal hydride. Nickel metal hydride batteries become obsolete as all the companies are replacing them with lithium ion batteries. Sure usage of water is good, but the oxygen content in it is minimum.
The usage of hydrogen results in emission of steam. Hydrogen is extremely dangerous. Cars with high hydrogen content are a concern to mankind.
So people should think twice and take into consideration all the above-mentioned facts before coming to the conclusion that water hybrid cars is an alternate energy consumption source.

Five reasons to buy Hybrid Cars

September 27, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Alternative Fuel, Electric Cars

In the scenario with the sky rocketing of oil and fuel prices, increased level of pollution, the introduction of hybrid cars in the market is a boon for many people across the world. Hybrid cars also act as energy savers and this is a boon for the customers. Hybrid cars have high purchase costs and are generally hard to find due to the huge demand because of its features. The following are some of the reasons why people should buy hybrid cars.

Hybrid cars have more efficient engines and are of small size. The increased efficiency of the hybrid cars is due to the use of light materials in its production and its small size. They are equipped with regenerative braking. This means the electric motor that is driving the car also performs the role of a generator and charges the battery while the car slows down.
It is equipped with periodic engine shut off technology that automatically switches off the engine temporarily when stopped in traffic. The car starts automatically when it is on gear. The efficiency of a hybrid car is more than that of the conventional car.

Hybrid cars are eco friendly. Hybrid due to its fuel efficiency helps in making the environment pollution free. It delivers better gas mileage compared to the gas engine of the conventional car.

The utilization of advanced technology in the production offers sleek and aerodynamic models of hybrid cars. The aerodynamic design of the car helps in the reduction of drag. The low rolling resistant tyres of the car help in the reduction of friction.
The battery pack made of high capacity nickel hydride produces power the car requires and is extremely reliable. These carsuses the power train technology and the computer in the car enhances the driving performance with its latest technology. These cars give excellent performance under all terrains.

The eco freindly design of the hybrid cars made the government offer concessions and tax breaks for the people who purchase them. slowly and surely the hybrid version cars are becoming the hot favorite with the people due to its innovative features.

How Many People Drive Hybrid Cars

There are a few factors like rising prices of fuel and gas, depleting natural reservoirs of fuel and increasing level of pollution in the environment, which have given birth to hybrid vehicles or cars. Today there is increasing demand of hybrid cars particularly among the sections of the society that are conscious about the annihilating effects of carbon emission in environment and also cost conscious in long run. Hybrid vehicle was first introduced in the United States in the year 1999 and since then it has been gaining increasing popularity. The way the electric motor and gas engine work in hybrid car; it consumes less fuel and emits low contents of pollutants in environment.

Those who are interested in protecting environment know well that hybrid cars put of 90% less harmful pollutants than a gas powered vehicle. These people also enjoy hybrid car that offers cleaner energy and power of gas engine when needed. This combination of gas engine and electric motor provides wonderful fuel economy besides dramatically reducing the pollution.

Size of hybrid cars is much smaller compared to conventional cars. Since smaller hybrid car uses smaller engine which although does not have lot of power but provides great fuel economy.

Hybrid car is also liked most by the persons who besides being environmentally conscious have long run benefit in mind. A hybrid car costs quite high compared to conventional car. But in long run it covers the entire additional cost by way of giving great deal of saving in fuel.

Main component of increasing the cost of hybrid car is its batteries. With the reduction in battery price, the price of hybrid car will also come down.

Hybrid car is today favored by all environmentally conscious people. For people who drive mostly in urban areas, this hybrid car is particularly cost effective, it can be driven completely on electric power most of the time thus saving your money and environment.

The hybrid cars are favored by most of the consumers and also backed by governments and has been warmly welcomed by environmentalists. in view of its saving in gasoline, money and environment. Hybrid cars are made of plastic and aluminum and are the cars of future.

How do hybrid cars work?

August 14, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Alternative Fuel, Electric Cars

“Hybrid’ is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as something derived from heterogeneous sources or composed of elements of different or incongruous kinds.  In a hybrid car two or more different sources of power to propel are used.  An electricity run motor, highest powered batteries and a gasoline engine are operated in combination in a hybrid car. Electric motor is provided energy from these high powered batteries; and the batteries are recharged by recapturing the energy that is normally lost when car runs or decelerates.

The term used for this process is called regenerative breaking.  In some specific instances of driving, the gas engine provides energy to charge the battery simultaneously due to which hybrid cars are not required to plug in.   Engines of hybrid powered car being smaller compared to conventional cars, its electric motor provides additional horsepower or backup. Since the hybrid car has less dependency on gasoline engine, it gives enhanced fuel economy and creates least air pollution.  The energy generated during coasting and braking of hybrid car is converted into electricity and stored in battery for utilization by electric motor.

To understand working of hybrid cars, we can broadly categorize them as the mild hybrid cars and the fully hybrid cars.  Combined functioning of battery, gas engine and electric motor in each of these two categories is different.

In Mild Hybrid Car electric motor simply assists the operation of the main propulsion.  While accelerating, climbing height or passing, gas engine is provided additional power through electric motor.  Major need of energy is provided by gas engine.  Thus a smaller size fuel efficient engine is used in these cars.

Operation of motor depends on gas engine. Electric motor can either consume electricity from batteries or provide energy for it, but it cannot do both the functions at a time.

In fully hybrid cars the electric motor and the gas engine operate on their own.  Mostly when in low speed, the electric motor functions by itself and gasoline engine takes it over automatically once the speed is picked up. When hard acceleration is needed, the gas engine and the electric motor function together as a team.  Electricity in fully hybrid cars can be consumed and built up simultaneously.

Benefits of Hybrid Electric Cars

Hybrid Cars are based on dual car power mechanism as they can run on two alternative power sources and aside that they run on both at the same time and that increases their value even more, when they are compared to gas powered vehicles or cars. The most important aspect of hybrid cars is that they are quite affordable and require very less maintenance as well and that makes them pretty much a wise choice for any car owner.

Hybrid cars are also known as HEV which means “Hybrid Electric vehicles” or you can say Gas electric Hybrid cars, and that is the reason why they are becoming more popular day by day among many care owners. Hybrid car’s growing popularity are liked by car owner because we all want better gas or fuel mileage, and some people are concerned about eco friendly environment so they prefer electric powered cars, and in both situation hybrid cars are the best choice for these cars owners.

Some reason why hybrid cars on hype these days:-

Well people love to save money on fuel as gas prices are increasing everyday and hybrid cars are an excellent alternative for all of us, because it will save us money for sure.

Hybrid cars are pretty cheaper when it comes to maintain these cars as they require minimal monthly expenditure for basic care and maintenance and on the other side any common man can afford them to have as well.

There is a huge buzz around at the moment regarding global warming and eco friendly car mechanism, and that case hybrid cars fit perfectly in the whole scenario.

Hybrid cars are environment friendly and reduce the level noise and air pollution, which is a great cause why people should go ahead for hybrid cars.

To save our earth natural resources we have to act now and as we can see fuel, oil and natural gas resources are used every day and they are dying with every single second pass away.

Eco Friendly Electric Cars reduces Pollution level

Tough economic conditions is the outcome result of recession and it is hitting hard on cars owners as well indirectly, because gas prices these days are going sky high and there is no hope that  they will come down to average level even. In that situation electric powered cars can be a great alternative, as it saves money for you and on the other side it will help you to reduce the pollution ratio as well.

Electric cars are extremely good as they run on electric batteries that can be re charged again and again with very less expenditures, while if you talk about gas or fuel powered cars or vehicles then it’s not an affordable solution for common people these days.

Electric powered cars runs on combustion Auto parts mechanism which makes possible for cars owner to run on chargeable batteries and it reduces the amount of money spent of grease, car maintenance, Oiling, fuel or any other associated cost for your gas powered car.

On the other side if talk about eco friendly and green earth concept, it’s a pretty huge issue as well on an international level. Many countries like Israel, Denmark, Australia, and Canada have already started working on electric powered cars solution for their country people as they want to reduce noise and air pollution level. In that situation electric powered cars and other vehicle will certainly be helpful in many other ways.

Natural resources are dying every day and population is increasing with every single second pass away and that is where many countries around the world are clueless when it comes to feed their country people and same goes with fuel oil and gas resources. In that case electric powered cars or vehicles could be great alternatives for governments around the globe. So if you are also inspired with electric powered vehicles, then go ahead and buy one or you can also convert your gas powered car to an electric powered cars as well with minimum expenditure, for that you need buy an electric car conversion kit and then you can follow step by step instruction given in the kit.

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