Saturday, February 16, 2008

Making A Decision About The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Hybrid Cars Just Got Easier

Making A Decision About The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Hybrid Cars Just Got Easier 
Concerned citizens and activists, Andy Grant and Taylor Reid launched http://www.AllAboutHybridCars.com in response to rising gas prices, America's dependence on foreign oil and increasing pollution. "I was angry about the continuous increase in the cost of gas and getting such poor mileage in my SUV and hybrid cars seem like the best answer," said Grant, a professional business writer. "So we wrote a book and created a Website to present all the basic facts and keep people updated on developing technology."They feel the subject is an important topic to showcase since hybrid cars will increase in popularity, because they make so much sense economically and environmentally. "There's no better way to reduce our consumption of foreign oil, save money on gas and help the environment," said Reid, a search engine analyst. "Hybrid cars may change the way people view their responsibility as a global citizen. 

I know I've changed mine."The book is in the form of an electronic eBook, which can be ordered through the Website and read on the computer or printed out. The Website has extensive information, articles and resources about hybrid cars and other alternative fuels being developed. "The book explains the whats, hows and whys using non-technical language," said Rob Wilder, who wrote the foreword to the book. Wilder, an environmental activist is President of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Institute.The monthly newsletter keeps people updated on all the new hybrid car releases. "The year 2005 will be the year hybrid cars take off," commented Grant. 

"Our Website and newsletter have all the current news as the each manufacturer releases its hybrid." "Californians are forward-thinking and have already invested in hybrid cars," said Reid. "We're hoping the rest of the nation will too."To order a free report, go to http://www.AllAboutHybridCars.com/ebook.htm. For more information send an e-mail to e-mail protected from spam bots or call 858-350-5235.. 

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And again, thank you to those contributing daily to our classic car pricing website.

Are Hybrid Cars The Solution To Rising Gas Prices?

Are Hybrid Cars The Solution To Rising Gas Prices? 
"Consumers are buying hybrid cars," reports NBC news correspondent, Anne Thompson. "Some because of high gas prices, others because hybrids are kinder to the environment. Either way, Americans are getting into hybrids."With gas prices setting all-time records and rapidly approaching $3/gallon in many US cities, motorists are outraged and looking for some relief. Though reluctant to embrace hybrid cars because of their higher price and relative short time on the market, these new breed of autos may be the best solution to the surging gas prices dilemma.However, are they all they are proposed to be? Are they getting better mileage than conventional cars? How do they work and do they need to be recharged? These and many other questions are still on the minds of those who are hesitant to take the plunge and venture into territory unknown.Andy Grant and Taylor Reid, authors of the eBook, All About Hybrid Cars: Maximum Performance/Minimum Impact, saw the compelling need for education on hybrid cars, so they wrote the book and launched the companion Website: http://www.AllAboutHybridCars.com."We ran a study and saw there was a tremendous demand for information on hybrid cars, but very little out there to educate consumers," said Reid, an Internet marketing consultant. So she partnered with Grant, a professional writer and award-winning author. 

"I had to do a lot of research, because there was no one place that had all the facts," Grant said. "We wanted to provide clear, current information that anyone who was curious about hybrid cars could understand."In their eBook, they explain that increased fuel economy is one of the primary benefits of purchasing a hybrid car. With continually escalating gas prices, hybrid cars seem like a sure antidote. "Along with better mileage and lower gasoline costs comes another savings in the form of tax rebates," Reid said.The new federal energy bill recently signed into law by President Bush encourages the use of fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles and offers substantial tax breaks. A report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy indicates that the bill states that high-efficiency vehicles, either hybrid or diesel, will receive credits on a sliding scale based on efficiency; the maximum credit for light-duty vehicles is expected to be about $3,400 for Prius-level performance."We put a calculator on our Website," said Grant, "so potential hybrid car owners could estimate the total savings if they bought an [hybrid-electric vehicle] HEV, since the car costs more, but the savings in gas is substantial." The calculator and a comparison chart of all the current hybrid cars can be found at http://www.allabouthybridcars.com/comparison-chart.htm."I don't think there's any other chart like this available," Reid said. 

"Any time a new hybrid car comes on the market, we add it to the mix. This way, Website visitors can quickly compare one model to the other."Although the initial cost of buying a hybrid car over a traditional one is higher, the long-term savings will depend on how long the consumer keeps the car and what kind of actual mileage is achieved.Phil Reed, consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com suggests, "Anyone shopping for a car now should make the question of fuel economy a big issue, because the availability of oil in the future is uncertain. Don't buy a car thinking it's acceptable today; one day it could be your hedge against high fuel costs."For an introduction to the basic facts about hybrid cars, Reid and Grant offer the free report: "7 Critical Facts Everyone Should Know Before Buying a Hybrid Car." To order the report, go to: http://www.AllAboutHybridCars.com/eBook.htm..

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

What’s So Great About Hybrid Cars?


What’s So Great About Hybrid Cars?
 
By: Kamran Zaman  

Hybrid cars have an all-inclusive functional system. They work by uniting the power of an electricity-run motor, maximum-powered batteries and a petrol engine. The battery gives out energy for the electric motor and reloads while it retakes the energy that is normally wasted when the vehicle is decreasing its speed or when it is braking. 

Regenerative breaking is the word that describes this action. In some cases, the energy issuing from the petrol engine could be diverted to charge the battery at the same time. Due to this, it’s not necessary to put hybrid cars into electric plugs.

Let us sort hybrid vehicles into two classes to understand better about engine and the electric motor, and how they operate once set up: the partial hybrids and the fully hybrids. Each one of these types have dissimilar methods when uniting the three parts.

How partial Hybrid vehicles operate

In partial hybrid cars, the electric motor is just a collaborator once it comes to using the primary actuation. It is the petrol engine that provides the most energy required. 

The motor counts on the petrol engine to be capable of operating. The electric motor eats up a lot of electrical energy from the batteries, or it can increase the energy of it, but the petrol motor can't perform these actions simultaneously. This is employed in two of Honda's hybrid models, the Insight and the Civic hybrid.

How fully Hybrid vehicles work 

The difference between the fully hybrid and the partial variety is that the electrical motor and the gas engine can work on its own. The electrical motor could operate alone in low acceleration, and when it increases the speed, the petrol engine assumes responsibility automatically. Both the motor and the engine could operate collectively whenever the vehicle is in high acceleration. 

This joined action gives the vehicle the power that it requires for that situation. Full hybrid vehicles can eat up and develop electrical energy at the same time. The full hybrid arrangement could be obtained in models such as the well-known Toyota Prius, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, and the Escape hybrid from Ford.

For example, one can consider the manner in which the Toyota Prius operates. The Prius runs on a technology named the Hybrid synergism Drive, which involves a power divide device to fuse the energy of the electrical motor and the petrol engine. The HSD enables an easy shifting of power sources that the vehicle driver wouldn't notice in the least whilst driving.

Contrary to the other partial hybrid kinds, the Prius could be controlled by the electric motor only powered by the battery pack. As a consequence, a motorist could drive silently for a short while. The Honda hybrids at this degree can't operate solely by the electrical motor.

During accelerating on a main road, the Prius employs the petrol engine as its primary operator, and could acquire aid from the generator whenever necessary. After that this hybrid vehicle closes off the petrol engine automatically during stops. This lends greatly in mileage betterment and develops lower pollution.

To conclude, the principal point of hybrid vehicles is offering sustainability amidst the increasing necessity for advanced types of vehicles. Environmentally-conscious persons would witness heaven with hybrid vehicles. But, as they're barely getting introduced in the market, they can come at quite a price. With increased followers, it is hoped that more hybrid vehicles will become available to everybody in the future.

Article Source: http://www.article-idea.com

The Types of Hybrid Cars and General Battery Packs



The Types of Hybrid Cars and General Battery Packs

By Gugu Maseko

The full hybrid car is awesome. If your hybrid car can propel forward when it's already going at low speeds, you might own a full hybrid. But it must be able to do this while using no gasoline whatsoever.

Today, all hybrid cars are parallel hybrid cars. There are some concept cars that might be called series hybrid cars, but a lot of times the car manufacturers do not want to call their cars series hybrid cars. So they don't call them that, and the public is left to guess what new types of cars are coming out next. Finally, there is the plug-in hybrid car, and that's the talk of every savvy automotive consumer. People were just starting to get that you never have to plug in a hybrid car in, but now these cars are being created supposedly with other motives than to just plain confuse people.

These different types of hybrid cars were made to give people more options and more ideas. And the options definitely don't disappoint anyone.

About Hybrid-Car battery packs

Battery packs in hybrid cars do not need to be replaced. Made to last over the lifetime of the vehicle, a hybrid car's warranty covers the battery for a time period that lasts between eight and ten years. In terms of mileage, a battery pack is expected to last between 150, 000 and 200,000 miles, and it probably lasts longer than that.

Hybrid batteries contain hundreds of cells. Hundreds of cells means that hybrid cars have a lot of complexity going on underneath their hoods, and complexity does usually mean expensive, but with the generous warranty car manufacturers are giving on these cars, there is little involved in purchasing a hybrid.

The battery packs in hybrid cars are evolving. If we look further into the future, the next generation of hybrid batteries is in the works. The goal: To discover a technology that gives lots of power, lasts for the hybrid car's lifetime, and costs less to make.

But does a hybrid car really save you money? Yes, but you have to pay attention to how much money you are spending before you buy a hybrid car and after you buy a hybrid car. Then you will see the savings for what they really are. And I'm not saying you have to be an accountant to save money either. I'm just saying that if you don't see the savings, you might think they are not there when they really are.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Best Hybrid Car


Best Hybrid Car
By: Albert TAY

 It would be easy to figure out which of the current automobiles today were ranked with the best energy efficiency ratings in gasoline powered car engines, model design, and those rated with the best safety features per car class. There is a wide opinion spread of rankings that can be provided by most major automobile manufacturers’ reviews.

It would probably be difficult, if not impossible to find same rankings for the dual-powered hybrid automobile that is emerging like gangbusters on the automobile market today. It would also be near impossible to figure out which of these models would be considered or ranked as the best hybrid car available on the market today because with the energy saving features that save people money at the gas pumps, all of these hybrid car models are a winner.

The best hybrid car would provide versatility and style to the consumer. With mild hybrid and full hybrid car models available, there is a good selection of features that consumers can choose that will meet their individual driving needs and styles. Some of these hybrid car varieties have the capability of driving from a dead start on electrical power, while others require the gas powered motor feature to engage first to perform this part of the drive train operation.

There are three components in all of the hybrid cars that are manufactured today. To be considered a hybrid car, the automobile must have a gas powered automobile engine, an electrical motor and a car battery or battery pack underneath the hood. The manner that these components work together or singularly to move your car further down the highway depend greatly on the type of hybrid it is. The best hybrid vehicle would be one that used all three, but if that is not typical of your driving style, you will receive better fuel usage through the mild hybrid style which would render the car more economical.

The ease in use would also qualify a hybrid car into being considered one of the best on the market today. The keyless operation option is a highly valued feature that most consumers would prefer not to do without. These hybrid automobiles do not have a regular ignition switch, but feature state-of-the art technology in a push button ignition switch. All hybrid cars that have this feature built into their consoles will definitely be considered on the best hybrid automobile list that anyone creates.

Another feature that would be hard to vote on, in this best hybrid dual-powered car list would be the hybrids that give you a touch screen with interactive displays that give you a realm of information at your fingertips. The energy efficient power cars give multi-dimensional information across the console of the automobile, where you can tell at a glance what the climate control temperature is, or the radio settings are.

The simplistic pampering that these hybrid cars offer can give car owners back the control that they have in their cars. Drivers can now stay informed on the flow of power that goes through the electrical components and can now tell when this flow is affecting fuel consumption. With so many modes of operation to keep you informed and entertained, the hybrid automobile is hard to separate if you are trying to identify which one of the many manufactured brands are the best car in its class. 

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Future of Hybrid Cars


There are many design concepts being considered for maximum public exposure and benefits on the drawing board of car designers today that look to the future hybrid car needs and considerations that will serve the public well in the course of the next century. Many of these hybrid car designers are taking past and proven sales performers and have begun reworking their designs from the ground up.

Instead of a front wheel drive platform, there are automobile designers that are building on a rear platform design for one of the nation’s best selling and widely recognized car frames in America and worldwide. The hybrid car designs of the future are including sports car models that have been all-time favorites with the world in the past and are now being revived with the brand new hybrid engine in mind.

There is an aggressive training program in place at one of Americas largest car manufacturing companies that is preparing their technicians to repair the growing styles and variations of hybrid cars that are emerging onto the automobile market.

With the extreme difference in battery features and dramatic variance in voltage levels, there is a void that needs to be filled by someone who is equipped with the necessary battery cabling devices that can handle 270 volts instead of the normal 12 volt battery systems. Regular car technicians are typically capable of handling battery recharging requirements, but with the futuristic applications that are applied in hybrid battery design, the best service these car technicians can provide at present is that they can still provide oil changes and tire rotations should the need arise.

With a mindset of grasping and expanding the propulsion features that are somewhat limited in today’s hybrid car designs, there are retro styling efforts that are focusing on providing hybrid cars with optional V8 engine capacities.

There are considerations in place to use solar cells in the framework of hybrid automobiles. The electrical power will be produced through the boot lids and bonnet placement of these solar cell modules. Through the use of solar cells it will then be possible to utilize the battery charging capabilities when the car is not turned on or in motion to replenish batteries that have been depleted through the use of air conditioning or through continuous operation when the hybrid automobile is delayed in traffic jams at different times of the day. This lightweight body structure design would benefit the energy savings to the consumer and make the car more manageable on the highway.

There is an effort in hybrid car design that is turning the out of the ordinary hybrid vehicle into a replica of what is parked in the driveway every day of our life. This blending in effect is meant to bring the hybrid full circle into the acceptable graces of the American public.

The future hybrid car will need to focus more on greenhouse gases that negatively effect the environment as well as a hybrid car that will be even more fuel efficient. Without these changes, the production and sales of any type of vehicle will not be possible due to the degradation of our atmosphere.

There are many views about hybrid cars in the futures that will change its fuel source from the heavy duty batteries in use today, to hydrogen-power fuel cell. This will take away the need for hybrid cars to have to use gasoline completely in order to transverse down the major highways. 

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hybrid Cars - Technology Of The Future Or Passing Fad?


Hybrid Cars - Technology Of The Future Or Passing Fad? 

by: Rick Hendershot  

Hybrid cars have been getting a lot of buzz the last three or four years, and now with the soaring cost of oil and gasoline, hybrids are expected to get hotter than ever. Here are some Questions and Answers about hybrids. 

1. What is a hybrid car? 

A vehicle is a hybrid when it combines two or more sources of power. Hybrid cars almost always have a gasoline engine and an auxiliary electric motor system that runs off rechargeable batteries. 

We normally assume that the point of hybridization is to save fuel, and that is definitely the case with most of the smaller compacts and sedans. But in fact some of the more upscale hybrid models are more concerned with boosting power and "performance" without the usual loss in fuel efficiency. 

2. Do you have to plug your hybrid in at night? 

You may assume because a hybrid car runs part of the time off its battery pack, that it is necessary to plug it in at night and recharge the batteries (like a golf cart!). But this is almost never the case. Hybrid cars recharge their batteries "on the fly" by making use of unused energy which is normally wasted during normal driving. 

For instance, most have a system that captures some of the energy used while applying the brakes, and converts it to electrical energy to charge the battery. This is called "regenerative braking". 

If hybrids had larger battery packs that you could plug into the electricity grid, they would be able to transfer more of the vehicle's power requirements over to the electric motor(s), and use even less gasoline. But most auto makers have been unwilling to go this route, arguing that today's batteries could not take the extra load and more extensive usage. 

3. Do you have to replace the batteries? 

The short answer is No. Hybrid batteries typically have an 80,000 - 100,000 mile warranty. The U.S. Department of Energy tested them to 160,000 miles and stopped testing because they still performed almost like they were brand new. Some taxi drivers have gone more than 200,000 miles in a Toyota Prius without battery problems. 

In any event, since hybrid battery packs have hundreds of cells, individual cells or modules could be replaced if there was a problem. 

The best way to keep nickel metal hydride batteries performing at their peak is to keep their charge between 40% and 60% -- never fully charged and never fully drained to zero power. 

4. How long have hybrids been around? 

Alternatives to the ICE (internal combustion engine) in automobiles have been around since at least 1900. The first patent for a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle was filed in 1905. Alternative fuel sources were wiped out as a result of two things. First was the development of the electric self-starter (in 1913) that made gasoline driven cars much easier to start. 

The second development was the advent of the age of cheap oil that started around the time of the first World War. This completely removed the economic incentive to look for alternative fuel sources. This is only starting to change now, 80 years later. 

5. Are hybrids expensive to purchase? 

In January, 2006, there were 10 different hybrid models available from $19,000 to $53,000. The most popular models -- the Insight, Civic, and Prius -- are less than $30,000. According to auto maker announcements there should be more than 50 models available by 2010. As sales and production increase the prices should not be significantly more than for standard ICE models. 

Even with the slightly higher average cost for a hybrid -- usually around $3,000 -- these additional initial costs can be offset by federal and state tax incentives, lower maintenance costs, and exceptionally strong resale values. 

6. Are hybrids small and underpowered? 

Initial hybrid models emphasized fuel economy, so were much lighter vehicles, and had smaller engines. The objective was to offset the loss of power in the ICE with additional power from the electric motor. This would result in essentially the same level of power while burning less fuel. 

But this principle does not have to result in underpowered vehicles. In fact the Lexus Rx400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid both have a 270 horsepower power system. And the Lexus GS 450h hybrid sedan is expected to have more than 300 horsepower and go 0-to-60 in less than six seconds. Taking the quest for hybrid power even further, the Toyota Volta concept venicle has a 408 hp power plant. 

7. What is the main reason people buy hybrid vehicles? 

Saving money on fuel is the first thing most buyers think of. But, in fact, the amount saved on fuel over the life of the vehicle may not equal the extra purchase cost of the hybrid. 

There are obviously other factors at play in the gradually building popularity of hybrids. Some people want to make a "green" statement, others simply want to be the first on the block with a new and promising technology. 

8. Will hybrid technology save the environment? 

There's no doubt about it. Hybrids are becoming more popular. In the past five years hybrid sales in the U.S. have grown 2000 percent. Sales in 2000 were 9,500, and by the end of 2005 had grown to over 200,000. 

But even this larger number is just 1.2% of the 17 million new cars sold last year. If every hybrid gave double the current fuel economy, from an average of 20 mpg to, say, 40 mpg, that would save roughly 100,000 gallons of gasoline a day. But that amount pales in comparison to the total daily gasoline consumption in the U.S. -- 400 million gallons! The savings of 100,000 gallons would bring that number all the way down to ... 399,900,000 gallons. 

Not very significant. Obviously governments and auto makers will have to start getting very serious about hybrid technology before it will make a significant difference. 

9. Does that mean hybrid technology is only a fad? 

No it does not. Because the only way towards a sustainable future is to find a combination of fuels that will reduce our almost total dependence on oil. Hydrogen fueled vehicles will be part of that future, as will fuel cells, deisel, and alternative fuels such as ethanol. 

But what is almost certain is that every promising solution will involve some kind of hybrid combination of technologies. So today's hybrid vehicles are an important and necessary step towards a much more promising and sustainable future.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Toyota Hybrid Sports Car


Every loyal customer to Toyota and the people behind the company itself are looking forward to 2008. Why? Because that is the slated release for the much-awaited Toyota hybrid sports car dubbed the Volta. Toyota has always been known to set itself apart from all other car manufacturers, releasing some of the most outrageous designs that seem to grow onto society once the cars establish themselves as bestsellers.

Japan Goes Italian

The hybrid sports car from Toyota can only expected to be a real head turner. Such are the expectations when you have an elite group of designers to give the new concept car an Italian flair. Pictures of the concept car have emerged from the company itself and the first thing that may come to mind is the Lamborghini Diablo; only the Volta is eco-friendly.

Toyota is out to show everyone that the hybrid technology can also be applied on high-performance auto like the Toyota Volta. After all, it is rumored to go from 0-60 in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph; not as fast as the Diablo or any Ferrari but the important thing is how much gas this vehicle doesn't use.

The Name Game

The Toyota hybrid sports car also pays homage to Alessandro Volta, the man who invented the electric battery in 1800; very convenient and quite an honor considering that this vehicle does run on a type of battery. The Volta runs a V6 engine and there's an electric motor on each axle.

Toyota Volta motor will be used to run several things like the computer responsible for the movement of the wheels, activation of brakes, etc. This is basically something known as drive by wire, a technology that is fitted into modern fighter jets, so you can imagine how much time in design was spent on this near-future release. This technology also allows for an awkward feature that can have the passengers reposition the steering wheel and pedals in front of them.

Hybrid Car Economy

Two centuries after the invention of the electric battery after which the new hybrid is named, Toyota aims to have the Volta out and running by 2008. It is expected to have a tank that holds only 13.7 gallons that will allow it to go 435 miles when filled up. Plus, if 408 horsepower isn't enough, you will just have to weight for later versions of the Volta because this is the top speed estimated for the initial release.

Toyota France is expecting its release to the European market by 2008. However, Germany might be happy to know that the car will be for sale there by December of 2007. Experts are speculating that prices for the Toyota hybrid sports car will range from $72,000 to $165,000 in the US market once it hits North American shores.

Regardless of whether the market is ready for it or not, Toyota itself is ready to prove that hybrid technology does belong in the automobile industry and will suit any purpose and application.

Article Source: http://www.articlemap.com

Drive a Hybrid Car in an Economic Way


Drive a Hybrid Car in an Economic Way
By: Dennis James
There are many ways to improve your car’s fuel consumption, car manufacturers introduce more and more technologies in this respect, but the most important factor which can determine a car’s fuel economy is the driver itself. 

Here are some tips on which you can get better mileage from your car. Be smooth with the acceleration. It is very important to slowly increase your car’s speed if you want the fuel to last longer. If you press hard on the gas pedal, a greater amount of gas will be burned. 

Look ahead and analyze the situation in front of you. Do your best to avoid getting your car to a sudden stop. If you stop completely your car, you will require more gas to star it again than if you kept a very slow tempo, but did not completely stop your vehicle. 
Remember, the base rule is that the faster you go, the more gas your car will require. No matter if you have a small or a big car, because the greater the speed, the more air resistance your car will have to overcome and thus consume more fuel. Another trick is to have your tires inflated to the maximum allowed pressure. It will reduce tire drag and help you reduce your gas consumption. When driving a hybrid car, try to coast as much as possible, because at lower speeds these cars run only with their electric engine. It is the best way to assure a better mileage from a hybrid car, avoid as much as you can operating the gas engine. Because the batteries of a hybrid car are recharged during braking, when you approach a stop light slowly press the brake pedal in advance. More energy will charge the batteries than in the case of a powerful sudden stop.

The mileage numbers you hear in advertisements on hybrid cars are only obtained in ideal situations with a smooth drive. Unless you try to do the same, you will not come close to the mileage you read about. But these tips do not apply only to hybrid cars. No matter what type of vehicle you are driving, following these tips can get you saves in fuel consumption. 

Be sure to maintain your car in a good operating shape if you expect low fuel consumption. For example, a properly inflated tire can raise your mileage with up to 3%.

Change your oil and fuel, oil and air filters regularly and with quality products, because your car will run smoother and it require less stress from the engine. 

Keep your speed at decent levels and do not accelerate rapidly to the desired speed. You can gain up to 33% fuel economy if you do not drive your car with excessive speeds. 

Reduce the amount of time you idle your car. You will obtain significant fuel economy if you warm your vehicle by driving slowly until the correct operating temperature is achieved rather than idling it. 

Reducing the weight you carry also can save you some gas.

Article Source: http://www.articlemap.com

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Hybrid Cars With 250 Mpg Fuel Mileage


Hybrid Cars With 250 Mpg Fuel Mileage 
Hybrid cars with 250 mpg fuel mileageIs it possible to have 250-mpg mileage with hybrid cars? Yes, Bellevue auto visionaries' thinks so. The people owning Toyota Prius and Honda hybrid cars are eyeing for an mpg of 40 to 50 then how a automaker claims to have technology that can give this high mileage. What technology they are using? Let us try to look at answers of these questions.20 member team at AFS Trinity Power Corp claims to make this possible with their plug in hybrid car. On technology front, they are going to use flywheel to create and store power. Conventional cars use gasoline engine to power the vehicle whereas hybrid cars use gasoline engine with battery support. 

However, the claimed car will use gasoline engine, battery source with flywheel or a capacitor. The power load is shifted among these sources according to the requirement. The flywheel will help the car in two ways i.e firstly it will help the car in the time of acceleration and secondly it will absorb the power which is being wasted while braking. It will also help the car to use lesser number and lighter batteries. This will collectively help to reduce the overall weight of the car. 

Flywheel or capacitor is said to absorb power efficiently and quickly.In future, the gasoline engine could also be replaced with more fuel-efficient hydrogen fuel cells. It is estimated that these cars would cost $3 to $7 for gas and $4 for electricity per week, which is much lower, then $14 for hybrid cars and $36 for conventional cars.As the environment is degrading each day and fuel is depleting even faster, these types of technology could help stabilize the situation largely. Let us see if dreams of Bellevue auto visionaries come live. Think of a situation if oil imports from Middle East stops due to some reason..

Basics And Advantages Of Hybrid Cars


Basics And Advantages Of Hybrid Cars 
By Tommy Stephens 
A Hybrid Car is a form of Hybrid Vehicles or simply HV. Basically Hybrid Cars are a type of assembled object or car. These types of cars are generally manufactured with two or more distinct sources of power to enable the car to be more powerful and well performing. Till date you may use two types of cars. Fuels like petrol or deisel powered cars are one of which, the other type of vehicles are powered by electricity. Both of these types have some severe drawbacks. To overcome those drawbacks Hybrid Cars are made.

Basically there are 3 types of engines available in the field of hybrid cars. The first one is known as the Hybrid and Electric Petroleum Cars. These types of Hybrid cars generally use rechargeable electric batteries to power the electric motors and the engines of internal combustion facility. The second types are Battery Electric Cars or BEC. The BEC includes a rechargeable battery. Surprisingly, these batteries are recharged often during highway travel and the recharged batteries can be used in normal road traveling. The other type is known as the Hybrid Fuel enabled dual mode Hybrid Cars. These types of hybrid cars are gaining rapid popularity now.

There are some advantages of these hybrid cars, which are not found in non-hybrid or normal cars. First of all these cars are very light in weight and easy to accommodate. These types of cars are generally less reliable on fuels. So these cars don’t need too much effort on maintenance. You may save some good amount money due to its low maintenance cost. The acceleration factor of these cars is associated with the batteries not with the fuels. The batteries are recharged by the kinetic energy of the cars. So the electricity cost of recharging the hybrid car batteries decreases. Last but not least these types of cars are environment friendly due low fuel usage.

All the leading motor companies are manufacturing hybrid cars. It seems that the future of hybrid cars is very bright.

Article Source: http://www.articlemap.com

Are Hybrid Cars Hazardous?

Are Hybrid Cars Hazardous? 
By Gregg 
With all of the talk of hybrid vehicles many people are singing their praises about these lightweight, fuel-efficient cars. But are there hazards to driving a hybrid? Is there really anything to worry about? Let’s take a closer look at potential hybrid hazards. 

With all of the talk of hybrid vehicles many people are singing their praises about these lightweight, fuel-efficient cars. But are there hazards to driving a hybrid? Is there really anything to worry about? Let’s take a closer look at potential hybrid hazards.

One of the biggest concerns often talked about when it comes to hybrid vehicles has to do with those personnel responding to accidents involving a hybrid. Many traditional looking cars such as the Honda Accord and Ford Escape are being built with hybrid engines and rescuers might experience some difficulty at the scene of an accident identifying one as such. The reason the identification is crucial is that as compared to conventional gas powered cars, hybrid vehicles have a tremendous amount of electricity coursing through them and thus could cause injury to rescuers and further injury to drivers already hurt by the crash. Many people believe that the solution to this problem is for automakers to affix a label on the driver’s side visor stating that it is a hybrid vehicle, equip with all the features that this kind of car entails.

New hybrids are bursting onto the market at an increasing rate and therefore all first responders need to be taught about ways in which hybrid cars differ from more traditional non-hybrid models. Lack of education could result in safety measures being compromised and injuries taking place. To use the battery in a hybrid to illustrate the point, in some hybrid models the battery carries with it a charge of up to 500 volts and is powered both by gasoline and electricity. Compare this with the voltage of a typical non-hybrid car, which is in the area of 12 volts. First responders need to be taught where the battery is located in a hybrid car and how to cut the cables without risking being electrocuted by the high voltage that the battery puts out. This is particularly important when machinery such as the Jaws of Life is required to physically remove a passenger in imminent danger from a car. It cannot be emphasized enough, without proper training, more serious injury, and even death, could result.

This problem is being addressed by manufacturers of hybrids with Honda and Toyota going to the front of the line on safety procedures. Hybrid cars are being suited with color codes so first responders can easily comprehend the flow of electricity in the car. Honda hybrids use the color bright orange to designate the high-voltage power line which helps reduce safety risks for rescuers responding to calls. 

Concerns about hybrid hazards have led Honda and Toyota to create their own individual safety guides for rescue personnel. Every fire department in the United States received a copy of these guides to be made available for their staff to educate themselves. Toyota has just completed new guides for its latest hybrid vehicles, the Highlander and Lexus. These guides can easily be read online by any member of the public, whether they are emergency workers or not. 

In South Florida, with its many canals, many people have expressed concerns about the hybrid hazards involved in water submersion, as these kinds of accidents are common in this area of the state. Manufacturers of hybrid vehicles say that the only thing emergency personnel need to keep in mind in regard to safety issues is to remember to make sure the car’s ignition is turned off once it is out of the water.

Speaking of the car being turned off, that is another issue for hot debate when it comes to talk of hybrid hazards. Hybrid cars are made differently than traditional gas powered vehicles in that it is not always easy to tell if they are off or still running. Most traditional cars one need only feel the hood of the car to make a correct determination but hybrids can be tricky- a hybrid can appear to be turned off when in actual fact it is in silent electric mode and very able to plow over an unsuspecting person if any movement or pressure is applied to the accelerator. One possible solution to this serious hazard put forth by the fire department in Texas is to place chocks under the wheels if it is not known whether the car’s ignition is still on or not.

The Things To Know On Hybrid Cars

The Things To Know On Hybrid Cars 
By Gugu Maseko 
Then in 1769, a man by the name of Nicholas Cugnot developed a carriage that could be powered solely by steam. This carriage did in fact work, and it could go at six miles per hour. This project was great, but it was difficult to get the amount of steam needed that would allow the car to go any distance that was by any means significant.

Finally in the year 1898 Porsche came out with an electric and fuel combustion engine that was the first of its time. The car was called the Lohner Electric Chaise, and it could go up to 40 miles just using batteries.

Then, the Ford's Escape hybrid became the very first SUV hybrid ever made. So there, you have it, the history of the hybrid, today's modern car.

The reasons why plug-in hybrid cars may not be as green as you think

If you think that you will be making a difference in the environment by purchasing a plug-in hybrid car, you may want to give your purchase a bit more thought. Plug-in hybrids do help with the environment, but just because they don't depend on fuel as much as regular hybrid cars do, doesn't mean they are extremely beneficial to the environment. Actually, for many reasons, plug-in hybrid cars are not much better than regular hybrid cars when it comes to the green house effect and the ozone layer.

Plug-in hybrid cars are great hybrid cars to own and they are easy to love, but you might not want to make your expectations too high or you may end up disappointed. But in any case, make no mistake; a plug-hybrid car will be one of the best hybrid cars to buy when it comes out.

Is the future unpredictable?

Right now, car industry bosses believe that hybrid car sales will outrun those of other cars that are great when it comes to fuel efficiency. They think the sales of hybrid cars will just leap over those of pick-ups, luxury models, and sports vehicles.

However, other people believe that car manufacturers do a lot of grandstanding because the auto bosses think that hybrid cars will accomplish all of the above in five years. But opponents say it's impossible to make such predictions for five years down the road because there are just too many variables. For instance, now the price of gas is about $3.00, but who knows what it will be five years from now.

Article Source: http://www.articlemap.com

Hybrid Engineering: A New Chance For Less Contaminating Cars


Hybrid Engineering: A New Chance For Less Contaminating Cars 
By James Ellison 
For a long time, there is a agitating demand for fuel-efficient automobiles that are gentle on the wallet and kind on our fast, harmful surroundings. The automobile industry answered to this need by setting in motion hybrid cars and these cars were soon proposed as cars of the future. 

There has been a lot of growth in hybrid car engineering but the dream of Hybrid Cars converting the automobile industry has not been accomplished yet. The big car mass-producing companies like Toyota, GM, Ford, and Honda are all reacting to the process and putting their best foot forth for better technology and market economy in hybrid cars. 

Sales Run Comparable To Progress in Hybrid Automotive Engineering

Many cars are now equipped with electric power steering that brings .05% - 2% better gas mileage in cars like the Honda S2000 and Saturn Vue. As a consequence, there has been a boost in sales of these cars. In 2002, approximately 30,000 hybrid cars were sold in US. In 2003, there was a big jump with Toyota alone selling almost 100,000 Hybrid cars. Year 2004 saw a new energy from the customers for new generation hybrid cars. They were sold off nearly right away and got outstanding adoration.

Hybrid Cars and the Related Industries

The greater approval and operation of hybrid cars, and for that matter, any new technological creation is not conditional on the manufacturer by itself. The entire industry has to back the move and allow essential support for its success. The automobile industry is finally gearing up for a must support to the hybrid cars. 

Fuel cells are not very familiar these days, as they are very costly and replenishing them is a big job. By 2010, GM anticipates a lot to advance on the fuel cell aspect, which will be a positive movement for the hybrid cars. 

The oil change industry need not worry with the current trend of Hybrid cars. All hybrids have a DC motor and require oil to lube the motor and keep it cool. These motors become heated up fast. 

Basic Structure to Move Hybrid cars

Because we will have many hybrid cars on the roads, we will be required to make completing plannings for them. GM is going over the setting and planning to construct Hydrogen fuel stations with Shell. The version of each gas station would cost about $400,000. There will be a bunch of opportunities, as these modifications will take place. The auto repair industry will have to prepare anew for the hybrid cars.

We still believe Hybrid cars to be a field test product and believe them to have high operating costs. Even today, Hybrid cars are not considered to be in as big numbers as they were anticipated when they were inaugurated. 

The rewards of hybrid cars far outnumber and outweigh the troubles and should not let us neglect its eco-friendly nature, its fuel-efficient and oil-conserving qualities and an anticipation for an uncontaminated Earth.

Article Source: http://www.articlemap.com

How Hybrid Cars Work


How Hybrid Cars Work 
By Mike 
From the first moment you step into a hybrid car, you will notice that a multitude of things are vastly different than your conventional vehicle. 

From the first moment you step into a hybrid car, you will notice that a multitude of things are vastly different than your conventional vehicle. Turn the ignition key, and you will notice just how quiet these things are. For example, if you happen to be sitting in a Toyata Prius the car's electric generator will quietly fire up the conventional internal combustion engine, or "ICE". As the ICE comes up to operating temperature it will automatically be shut off, which brings the car's electric motor completely online. The gasoline engine will remain in a dormant state until it is further needed.

The Toyata Prius will remain completely in electric mode as long as speeds fall under the 15 M.P.H. limit. As long as you don't exceed that speed, you are driving an entirely electric powered vehicle which is using absolutely no gasoline, nor releasing any harmful emissions from its exhaust system. Obviously, if you drive a bit more aggressively, or exceed 15 M.P.H. the ICE will again come online to produce the necessary, additional power required. A computer is constantly calculating the power requirements and sending this data to a device called a power split, which connects the electric and gasoline engines through a series of gears.

Things work slightly differently if you happen to be in a Honda Insight. The gasoline engines in these vehicles remain online from first start until they reach operating temperature, and come to a first stop. The ICE will become completely dormant at that point. As soon as you remove your foot from the brake pedal, shift into gear, or depress the accelerator the combustion will again come online to provide additional power as required. The variety of available transmissions in the Honda line of vehicles has made it necessary to utilize a bit more elaborate system of engaging and disengaging the electric motors.
The dash panel will keep you constantly informed of the amount of electrical assist that is being provided. All the while a computer is in the background calculating how much power is required, and allowing the electrical assist to occur. This type of system allows for near conventional car performance, while achieving much greater fuel economy.

The nickel metal hybrid battery systems in these vehicles are quite fascinating. Again, a computer is constantly making calculations, sending power from the batteries to the electric motors when required. When the vehicle is in braking mode the electric motor begins to act as a generator, supplying the batteries with their needed charge. The computer is constantly monitoring the amount of charge in the batteries and maintaining a 30% - 80% charge at all times. These minimum and maximum levels are what allow these batteries to last in excess of 200,000 miles. That's a quite impressive lifecycle for battery technology, and a great thing as hybrid car batteries are quite expensive.

While this is a very simplistic overview of a very complex system, it does give you a basic understanding of the inner workings of the hybrid cars of today, and will hopefully be of assistance as you continue your quest of buying a hybrid car.

A Look At Hybrid Cars


A Look At Hybrid Cars 
By Mike 
Are hybrid cars, the cars of the future? Only time will tell. 

Are hybrid cars, the cars of the future? Only time will tell. I am sure most of you have by now heard about the new hybrid cars in the marketplace today. I'm also sure many of you are saying, "What the heck is a hybrid car anyway?" Well let us see if we as laymen people from the old school of gasoline automobiles can understand these new high tech automobiles. 

Firstly we need to know what powers a hybrid. Well a hybrid has a gasoline engine and also a battery powered generator. The gasoline engine in the equation is much the same as the cars most of us are driving today. In most cases it is a bit smaller than the engines in our somewhat larger automobiles we currently drive. The reason for this is because the generator helps power the hybrid car. Both still operate the same as far as having a transmission to drive the wheels. Albeit a much more sophisticated version than what is in the typical gasoline powered vehicle. The difference is when the car begins to slow down, the gasoline engine stops and the generator motor takes over, thus saving fuel you would be burning for instance at a stoplight. Now, not only is this a saving for you as a consumer. It is also making the air we breathe cleaner. Both are I'm sure you will agree, a good thing. Now, both engines require a tank for the fuel, a gas tank the same as most of us have now, but also a tank for the generator, which is a set of batteries that must be kept charged. You see, this is the purpose for the generator. 

It takes about 1000 pounds of batteries to equal the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Sounds like a lot of extra weight, but with the new designs this is not a problem. The newer designs are even converting kinetic energy produced by the engine into electric energy for the batteries. Confused yet? If not, you are probably reading the wrong article. However, it really doesn't matter if you understand the inner workings completely. By now you should at least have a basic understanding of what makes these little cars more efficient.

I'm sure you have seen some of the new hybrid cars on the street and were maybe a bit taken back by their appearance at first. Yes, the new hybrids do take some getting used to, especially the early models. They are a little smaller in size and very aerodynamic in design. And, with a driving force of about 60-90 horsepower, don't feel quite as powerful as your current automobile, but on the horizon are several new models, including SUV's that are much more traditional in their styling.

I think for now at least, the hybrid cars will take over a big part of the auto industry and carry us along until the arrival of the eco- friendly efficient cars of the future. 

Take a ride in one of the new hybrid cars and decide for yourself if they are worth all the hype.