Thursday, April 22, 2010

Hybrid car environment

The 21st Century is beginning to realise the full extent of the effect we have on the environment around us. If we continue to abuse it the way we have been for many years, who knows what the future will hold?The result of any changes we make now may not be seen for many years – perhaps not even in our lifetime. But our children and grandchildren will certainly be affected by what we do now, and the good news is there is a lot we can do to help the environment.

Hybrid cars could make a huge change to the amount of damage we inflict on our surroundings. The hybrid car’s impact on the environment is much less than the traditional cars we use day in and day out.The hybrid car’s impact on the environment comes from the fact that it uses rechargeable batteries to provide much of the energy needed for it to work. Not only does this mean they use far less gas for the same length journey that a normal car would use, they also produce much less in the way of emissions as well.

The hybrid car’s impact on the environment is such that if we all decided to trade in our old cars today and buy hybrid cars instead, the environment would breathe a huge sigh of relief almost immediately.Just think of all the emissions, harmful gases and pollution trapped inside the earth’s atmosphere. Much of this is as a direct result of the emissions kicked out by cars, trucks,

buses and other vehicles. We’re reluctant to give up the sanctity of our cars, so why not take advantage of the hybrid car’s impact on the environment instead?Better air quality also means the worst affected areas will have less health problems to contend with. Asthma and other lung conditions are made worse by poor air quality, so changing to a more efficient mode of transport can help us in the here and now as well as in the long term.

In an ideal world the electric car will totally replace gas powered and even hybrid cars. These have a minimal impact on the world around us, but until then, the hybrid car’s impact on the environment is small enough to greatly improve the air we are breathing in every day.It’s just a question of how many of us will make the change for a better future.

Hybrid car makers

Deciding on the purchase of a hybrid car first begs the question, who makes them? The answer is just about everyone. Anyone who makes and sells cars are likely to do the same with hybrid cars especially now when their popularity is swiftly increasing. There are many manufacturers who

make and sell hybrid cars who are constantly striving for better technologies. New plug in hybrid cars are examples of the lengths those who make these cars are willing to go to improve their product. Anyone who makes hybrid cars is earning a fortune as they are being encouraged by the government with the likes of tax rebates and carpool lane stickers as well as the emergence of public hybrid buses.

Hybrid cars are no longer a thing of the past and are not as unattractive as once suspected as there are many makes and models now catering for a combination of gas engine and electric motor. Any manufacturer who makes or sells hybrid cars is sitting on a goldmine as they are guaranteed to be around for quite a while and with some governments imposing bans and fines

on vehicles with excessive gas emissions, hybrid cars may be the only way to turn. It has been predicted that hybrid cars will one day outnumber the average car in both technology and numbers.

Everyone can make money from hybrid cars as they provide an economic solution to car owners and offer a good deal of business to car dealers. Anyone who owns a hybrid car can make money

through the hybrid tax rebate scheme as well as saving a fortune on gasoline which is now heavily priced and frequently increasing. Some states and areas have introduced carpool lane stickers for hybrid cars which give them access to high occupancy vehicle lanes and can dramatically cut their commute times.

Hybrid car cost

Hybrid cars are still fairly new to the majority of us. They use a new method of making cars, and we all know that new methods and new technologies generally mean the resulting product is a lot more expensive than the ones we are used to. However, as that product becomes more widespread, so the cost goes down. This is why low cost hybrid cars are now starting to become slightly easier to find.

Go to any car lot in your local area and you’ll be lucky to spot a hybrid car among the sale items. This is why you need to search for a bargain if you’re set on buying one of the low cost hybrid cars available. The main thing to remember is that the cost of a hybrid car is not just what you’ll see displayed on the windshield. You need to bear in mind the long term costs involved to see whether low cost hybrid cars really do exist in a range that fits your own pocket.

First of all, consider your car insurance. Many companies are now doing their bit for the environment by offering a significant discount on your insurance if you own a hybrid car. This can be ten per cent or more. Depending on what car you currently drive (and what style hybrid you intend to buy), the savings over the course of a few years could mount up significantly.

You should also consider the reduction in the amount of gas you’ll need to buy. Hybrid cars use a lot less gasoline than traditional cars, and with the current price of gas the savings you make in this area alone could be very high indeed. When we think about low cost hybrid cars we think about the costs involved in monetary terms. But hybrid cars are also less costly in terms of green

issues too. They are far more environmentally friendly than gas driven cars, and if we all drove one green issues probably wouldn’t be much of a problem at all. As the technology behind them improves and they are marketed to and bought by more people, low cost hybrid cars will become a more widespread reality. Well known car makers such as Honda and Toyota seem to be committed to this type of car for the long term, so it’s only a matter of time before low cost hybrid cars are commonplace.

Hybrid suvs

We’ve become an SUV fun loving country. After all what could be better than a vehicle that’s got plenty of room, goes just about anywhere, and makes you feel safe when you’re driving. The trouble is SUVs are fuel guzzlers and they also aren’t great for our environment. But wait! Not to worry! Hybrid SUVs are the answer and here are a few of the choices already on the market.

The Ford Escape – It is available as a FWD or 4WD unit. The 2WD gets 31 mpg in town and 36 mpg on the highway; while the 4WD gets 29 mpg in town and 33 mpg on the highway with a cruising range of 400 to 600 miles. Base price is $26,900 US.

A stock 2.3 liter, four cylinder engine is combined with a 65 kilowatt electric motor for a total of 155 HP. It has an electronically controlled automatic variable transmission; rack and pinion steering with electric power assist; and power assisted ABS 4 wheel disk brakes. Fuel capacity is 15 gallons/60 liters and it comes with 16” aluminum wheels.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning; ABS; roof rack; power windows, doors, and mirrors; AM/FM stereo with 6 disk CD; keyless entry; driver and front passenger air bag; intermittent wipers; and perimeter alarm.

The Lexus RX 400H 2WD – It gets 27 mpg in town and 31 mpg on the highway with a cruising range of 450 to 530 miles. Base price is $48,500 US.

The Lexus RX 400H comes with a stock 3.3 liter four cylinder engine, which is combined with permanent magnet electric drive motors for a total of 268 HP. It has electronically controlled automatic variable transmission; rack and pinion steering with electric power assist; and power assisted ABS 4 wheel disk brakes. Fuel capacity is 17.2 gallons/65 liters and it comes with 18” aluminum wheels.

Hybrid minivan

A hybrid minivan's roomy interior is the reason why a lot of people, mostly with children, have been wanting for such a car instead of a regular sedan. Also, it has been known that a minivan, hybrid or not, is fuel-efficient as compared to big trucks, SUV's and sedans with 6 cylinders. Although a growing family needs a roomier or bigger car, it doesn't need something that will add up to the family budget (especially for fuel consumption).

Aside from these, a hybrid minivan although is spacious, is light to carry because of its light exterior and aerodynamics.

"Muscled" Hybrids, Not Minivan

Today, there hasn't been any hybrid minivan running the streets of any US states, although other brands have been marketing large SUV's as minivan or an alternative to it. Yet, these "muscled" hybrids are not minivans and don't have the qualities of a true-blue minivan: fuel saver, spacious yet light, and therefore, cannot be labeled as a "hybrid minivan."

On the other side of the coin, muscled hybrids are good, too, especially if you are the outgoing type. Four-wheel drives, SUVs and trucks can run smoothly on rocky, dusty and uneven roads. And in flooded areas, they can move with power, assuring you and your passenger of a safe ride.

The downside of muscled or hybrid trucks is that they are more expensive, consume more fuel and electricity from the battery pack, and are too bulky for city ride.

Toyota's Minivan

The most anticipated brand of hybrid minivan is Toyota, a Japanese car manufacturer. Toyota holds the top spot in terms of sales for hybrid cars in the US. It enjoys 60% market share on the total sales of US hybrid cars.

The two most highly publicized and rated are Toyota's Sienna hybrid and Estima hybrid. These two hybrid minivans are at the top of their class in terms of design, aerodynamics, fuel-efficiency and engine performance.

The Soccer Moms' Fave Hybrid Minivan

Sienna hybrid is a hybrid minivan that soccer moms would love. In fact, even the machismo image of most males won't be stepped on by this well-designed hybrid minivan.

Hybrid car cons

With all the hype out right now about hybrid cars, you may be considering buying one. Before you do, you should consider the pros and cons of hybrid cars. What benefits can you expect to experience and what difficulties should you plan to face? Fuel Savings The first thing that comes

to mind for most people when considering the pros and cons of hybrid cars is the possibility of saving money on fuel. With fuel efficiency between 30 and 60 mpg, this is definitely a consideration, particularly as fuel costs start to rise. Unfortunately, one of the downsides is that hybrid cars cost significantly more than non-hybrids. Some of this cost is offset by the fuel savings but, at current fuel costs, it is very difficult to make up the initial cost difference.

Whether you think this is an issue depends upon what you think will happen to fuel costs over the life of the car. If they will steadily rise, eventually you may save enough to make up the price differential. If you think they will level out, then it will be nearly impossible and you will need to resign yourself to the fact that this is a more expensive car.

Because hybrid cars are still relatively new and rare, the maintenance costs on them are a little bit higher than they are on non-hybrid cars. Parts cost more, service may be more difficult to find, and they are even harder than regular cars to service yourself. This additional cost should be factored into the price discussion.

Status can be considered among both the pros and cons of hybrid cars. In one sense, having a hybrid car gives you a reputation for being a person of substance, which may help you in your networking efforts. In another sense, these cars are generally less frilly and fancy than their non-hybrid counterparts. You won’t find hybrid luxury or sports cars; they tend to be much more practical vehicles. Whether you consider this to be a positive or a negative will depend upon your personality, values, and career path.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Hydrogen hybrid car

This article about hydrogen hybrid cars discusses how cars can run on hydrogen and fuel cells, but also hybrid batteries, safety, brands and models, and availability.

Introduction

Nowadays, people are aggressively searching for more ways on how they could save on gas. In effect, companies are being pressured to offer something new to consumers other than their conventional cars. This is evident with their notable development of new technologies that are obviously aimed for fuel economy; one of which would be the hydrogen hybrid car.

Combining Two Innovative Technologies

Hydrogen technology and hybrid technology are two different innovations that are used to save gas, increase your vehicle’s power and most of all, make your car more environmental friendly in contrast to conventionally fuelled vehicles. Considering each of them are already powerful solely by themselves, just imagine if these two technologies are combined!

Well, here’s the good news, manufacturers have been working on hydrogen hybrid cars and they have finally come up with vehicles that support both of the said technologies! So, here are the essentials on what you should know about hydrogen powered hybrid cars.

How Does It Work?

Hydrogen hybrid cars actually make use of fuel cells. Major carmakers, focus on fuel cells, since they say it’s more clean and efficient than mere hydrogen internal combustion engines alone. Rather than burning fuel inside the engine, fuel cells would act more like batteries, where they would use electrochemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen to produce electricity.

One company that is known to develop fuel cells would be Anuvu, which is actually almost prepared to produce large cargo vans and Nissan Frontier pickups that run on hydrogen and fuel cells.