| Hybrid cars have been getting a lot of buzz the | | | | Civic, and Prius -- are less than $30,000. According |
| last three or four years, and now with the soaring | | | | to auto maker announcements there should be |
| cost of oil and gasoline, hybrids are expected to | | | | more than 50 models available by 2010. As sales |
| get hotter than ever. Here are some Questions | | | | and production increase the prices should not be |
| and Answers about hybrids.1. What is a hybrid | | | | significantly more than for standard ICE |
| car?A vehicle is a hybrid when it combines two or | | | | models.Even with the slightly higher average cost |
| more sources of power. Hybrid cars almost | | | | for a hybrid -- usually around $3,000 -- these |
| always have a gasoline engine and an auxiliary | | | | additional initial costs can be offset by federal and |
| electric motor system that runs off rechargeable | | | | state tax incentives, lower maintenance costs, |
| batteries.We normally assume that the point of | | | | and exceptionally strong resale values.6. Are |
| hybridization is to save fuel, and that is definitely | | | | hybrids small and underpowered?Initial hybrid |
| the case with most of the smaller compacts and | | | | models emphasized fuel economy, so were much |
| sedans. But in fact some of the more upscale | | | | lighter vehicles, and had smaller engines. The |
| hybrid models are more concerned with boosting | | | | objective was to offset the loss of power in the |
| power and "performance" without the usual loss in | | | | ICE with additional power from the electric motor. |
| fuel efficiency.2. Do you have to plug your hybrid | | | | This would result in essentially the same level of |
| in at night?You may assume because a hybrid car | | | | power while burning less fuel.But this principle does |
| runs part of the time off its battery pack, that it | | | | not have to result in underpowered vehicles. In |
| is necessary to plug it in at night and recharge the | | | | fact the Lexus Rx400h and Toyota Highlander |
| batteries (like a golf cart!). But this is almost never | | | | Hybrid both have a 270 horsepower power |
| the case. Hybrid cars recharge their batteries "on | | | | system. And the Lexus GS 450h hybrid sedan is |
| the fly" by making use of unused energy which is | | | | expected to have more than 300 horsepower |
| normally wasted during normal driving.For instance, | | | | and go 0-to-60 in less than six seconds. Taking |
| most have a system that captures some of the | | | | the quest for hybrid power even further, the |
| energy used while applying the brakes, and | | | | Toyota Volta concept venicle has a 408 hp |
| converts it to electrical energy to charge the | | | | power plant.7. What is the main reason people |
| battery. This is called "regenerative braking".If | | | | buy hybrid vehicles?Saving money on fuel is the |
| hybrids had larger battery packs that you could | | | | first thing most buyers think of. But, in fact, the |
| plug into the electricity grid, they would be able to | | | | amount saved on fuel over the life of the vehicle |
| transfer more of the vehicle's power | | | | may not equal the extra purchase cost of the |
| requirements over to the electric motor(s), and | | | | hybrid.There are obviously other factors at play in |
| use even less gasoline. But most auto makers | | | | the gradually building popularity of hybrids. Some |
| have been unwilling to go this route, arguing that | | | | people want to make a "green" statement, others |
| today's batteries could not take the extra load | | | | simply want to be the first on the block with a |
| and more extensive usage.3. Do you have to | | | | new and promising technology.8. Will hybrid |
| replace the batteries?The short answer is No. | | | | technology save the environment?There's no |
| Hybrid batteries typically have an 80,000 - | | | | doubt about it. Hybrids are becoming more |
| 100,000 mile warranty. The U.S. Department of | | | | popular. In the past five years hybrid sales in the |
| Energy tested them to 160,000 miles and | | | | U.S. have grown 2000 percent. Sales in 2000 |
| stopped testing because they still performed | | | | were 9,500, and by the end of 2005 had grown |
| almost like they were brand new. Some taxi | | | | to over 200,000.But even this larger number is |
| drivers have gone more than 200,000 miles in a | | | | just 1.2% of the 17 million new cars sold last year. |
| Toyota Prius without battery problems.In any | | | | If every hybrid gave double the current fuel |
| event, since hybrid battery packs have hundreds | | | | economy, from an average of 20 mpg to, say, |
| of cells, individual cells or modules could be | | | | 40 mpg, that would save roughly 100,000 gallons |
| replaced if there was a problem.The best way to | | | | of gasoline a day. But that amount pales in |
| keep nickel metal hydride batteries performing at | | | | comparison to the total daily gasoline consumption |
| their peak is to keep their charge between 40% | | | | in the U.S. -- 400 million gallons! The savings of |
| and 60% -- never fully charged and never fully | | | | 100,000 gallons would bring that number all the |
| drained to zero power.4. How long have hybrids | | | | way down to ... 399,900,000 gallons.Not very |
| been around?Alternatives to the ICE (internal | | | | significant. Obviously governments and auto |
| combustion engine) in automobiles have been | | | | makers will have to start getting very serious |
| around since at least 1900. The first patent for a | | | | about hybrid technology before it will make a |
| gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle was filed in 1905. | | | | significant difference.9. Does that mean hybrid |
| Alternative fuel sources were wiped out as a | | | | technology is only a fad?No it does not. Because |
| result of two things. First was the development | | | | the only way towards a sustainable future is to |
| of the electric self-starter (in 1913) that made | | | | find a combination of fuels that will reduce our |
| gasoline driven cars much easier to start.The | | | | almost total dependence on oil. Hydrogen fueled |
| second development was the advent of the age | | | | vehicles will be part of that future, as will fuel cells, |
| of cheap oil that started around the time of the | | | | deisel, and alternative fuels such as ethanol.But |
| first World War. This completely removed the | | | | what is almost certain is that every promising |
| economic incentive to look for alternative fuel | | | | solution will involve some kind of hybrid |
| sources. This is only starting to change now, 80 | | | | combination of technologies. So today's hybrid |
| years later.5. Are hybrids expensive to | | | | vehicles are an important and necessary step |
| purchase?In January, 2006, there were 10 | | | | towards a much more promising and sustainable |
| different hybrid models available from $19,000 to | | | | future. |
| $53,000. The most popular models -- the Insight, | | | | |