| Hybrid Cars- The 21st Century Answer To Rising Gas Costs |
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Global gas prices touched an all time high of $ 150 a barrel in the year 2008. This meant that there was no cheap gas for the innumerable vehicles running across the length and breadth of US highways. While as of now the prices have stabilised, it will definitely shoot up when gas becomes rare. In order to postpone that event, it is best we start saving fuel. Hybrid cars are the best way to do so.
What are Hybrid Cars? Hybrid cars are cars that drive with the help of dual sources of energy. One of them is obviously an internal combustion engine running on combustible fuels such as petrol, diesel, and bio-diesel. The other source of energy is an electrical battery system powerful (in terms of voltage) enough to propel the entire weight of the car and its occupants at a decent speed. How does it Work: The Basics A hybrid car is programmed in a way that it runs on both the systems successively. Starting the car is the responsibility of the petrol or diesel engine. After the car has attained a set speed the electrical unit inside the car takes over the task of propelling. This puts the petrol or diesel engine in a 'sleep mode', only to be revived when the car becomes stationary. Benefits of Hybrid Cars This combination of dual propulsion system means that the car would run more number of miles on the same gallon of fuel. This would cut down on the number of gallons required by us to reach a specific destination. This would not only help us save money on fuel but would also help the cause of fuel and environment conservation. Less consumption would not only make existing fuel reserves last longer but would also put a lid on emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere as well. Disadvantages involving a Hybrid Car Right now, the only disadvantage of a hybrid car is its cost. Hybrid cars can be more expensive than their regular petrol/diesel engine counterparts. However, this disadvantage can be offset in the long run, as savings on gas would completely eliminate the price disparity in hybrid and conventional cars in about 5 years. Hybrid Cars in the Market Keeping in mind the enormous selling potential of dual-propulsion cars, car makers are now vying with each other in not just the launch new hybrid vehicles in the market but also 'hybridising' their existing offerings as well. The following are the choices available to customers in 2009: 1. 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid 2. 2009 Toyota Prius 3. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 4. 2009 Ford Mercury Mariner Hybrid and 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid 5. BMW 7-Series Hybrid 6. Saturn Vue Green Line Two-Mode (production to begin in early 2009) 7. Lexus Hybrid: Lexus HS 250h (launch slated for July 2009) 8. Mercedes S-Class Hybrid (to be available by September 2009). 9. 2009 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Related Articles
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