1917 Woods Dual Power

The first hybrid gas electric car did not come out in 1983, but in 1917. The Woods Dual Power was built by the Woods Motor Vehicle Company of Chicago. Because the gas engine was so rough, but supplied more power and electric cars were smoother, but had limited range, the Woods Motor Vehicle Company wanted to supply a car that gave you the best of both worlds. The best part is, it was a full hybrid (listen up GM) with regenerative braking. The engine was a parallel hybrid that included a 12-hp, 4-cylinder gasoline engine as an auxiliary drive system in addition to the electric drive train. The electric engine could propel the car up to 20 mph. Together with the gas engine, the dual wood power could get up to 35 mph. The gas engine and electric engine were connected using a magnetic clutch. The gas engine became magnetized when activated (by a lever controlled by the driver). The copper disk was pulled against the flywheel connecting the electric motor to the gas engine. Only the electric motor could be used while going in reverse. Why? Because the engine had no clutch and so the gas engine had no gears! The car battery designed for this car was about half the size of the batteries in other electric cars of the time. Once the car got up to 20 mph, the gas engine could be engaged, allowing the electric motor and gas motor to work together. The battery could be recharged or discharged by another lever. Recharging was done by the gas motor (at speeds over 6 mph) or by braking on level ground or when coasting down hills. A conventional brake pedal was only used at speeds of less than 6 mph. Available for only $2650 (remember this was 1917). Wire wheels were a luxury, costing an extra $25. Or you could 'pimp' your vehicle out for another $100 (paint and trim). Ultimately, the first hybrid was a commercial failure. It was built only in 1917 and 1918. It was too expensive, too slow, and too difficult to service to be a commercial success.

Read More

3 Advantages Of Hybrid Cars Over Conventional Cars

Due to the rising cost of fuel and the environmental damage it causes to our planet, many car owners or buyers are looking for an alternative way to save money. Let's face it, fuel supply is finite and the prices of gas is only going to rise higher and higher. That is where a hybrid car has its advantages Hybrid cars have been gaining in popularity in recent years. With lower cost of production and new hybrid car technology being developed, owning a hybrid car is becoming affordable to everyone. Hybrid Cars Saves Gas The obvious advantage of using hybrid cars is that it saves gas. Combining the cleaner energy of an electric motor with the long range capacity of a gasoline engine allows a hybrid car to save as much as 30 miles a gallon. One feature of hybrid cars is that the gasoline engine is shut off automatically when the car stops. This also helps in saving fuel. That is also the reason why hybrid cars are so quiet why it is stationary. The gasoline engine is automatically turned on when you step on the accelerator pedal. Hybrid Cars Are Environment Friendly Hybrid cars emit lower toxic emissions compared to conventional gasoline-powered cars due to less gasoline being burned. It is environmentally friendly, causes less pollution and releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you do not know, carbon dioxide is one of the primary reasons for rising global warming. For example, the Toyota Prius can reduce tailpipe emissions by up to ninety percent and the greenhouse gas emissions by as much as fifty percent. Tax Incentives For Hybrid Cars Due to world political pressures around the world to reduce greenhouse emissions, President Bush signed an agreement in 2005 to provide huge tax relief to hybrid car buyers. The tax incentive varies by model and are based on two factors 1. How fuel efficient the hybrid car is compared to a conventional car in 2002 with the same weight class. 2. How much gasoline the hybrid car can save in its lifetime compared with an equivalent conventional car For example, a Honda Accord hybrid car have reduced tax credits of $600 while a Toyota Prius has a tax credit of $3150. Do note that the tax credits do expire after 2010 for most hybrid cars. Hybrid car manufacturers are continually researching for more ways to reduce fuel consumption and better fuel efficiency. Also as more hybrid cars are being adopted, the cost of hybrid cars will reduce making it more affordable for everyone.

Read More

~~ 6 Steps To Making Your Own e85 Ethanol ~~

Step One: . . . The Conversion Process We have to break down carbohydrate sugars, such as the starch from corn. Create it into "Mash". Grind or crush the feedstock (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc...). Then dilute and add an enzyme (alpha amylase) to turn the mixture into a liquid. Once liquified a second enzyme is added(glucoamylase) to convert the starch into sugar. (If the source is mainly sugar, i.e...rotten fruit, molasses, etc..., the conversion step can be skipped. Step Two: . . . Fermentation Add yeast and make it into a beer (wine) type solution. Step Three: . . . Distillation The beer (wine) type solution needs to be run through a still to extract the alcohol from the solution. Step Four: . . . Filtration The ethanol now needs to be filtered to get rid of excess organic volatiles. Step Five: . . . Dehydration The ethanol needs to be "dried". After the distillation process there will be a certain amount of water in the ethanol you have just created - this can be dried running the ethanol through Zeolite a readily available product for drying ethanol. Step Six: . . . Ethanol Into e85 Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline. Making your own ethanol will require some initial investment, but the rewards will be very, very beneficial. You can make your own e85 for right around a $1.00 a gallon if you buy the corn and for about $.60 a gallon if you grow your own corn. e85 Flex Fuel Vehicles are becoming more and more popular as the gas prices continue to rise. e85 is defiantly going to be a major relief for the United States fuel problem. You may even be driving a flex fuel vehicle now. Many newer models are equipped to handle both gasoline as well as e85 ethanol. The best way to check is to look in your owners manuel, check in the fuel door for the e85 sticker or contact your dealer and have them run your vin number to see if you vehicle is compatable. I suggest that you do all three, to be on the safe side.Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline.

Read More

~~ 6 Steps To Making Your Own e85 Ethanol ~~

Step One: . . . The Conversion Process We have to break down carbohydrate sugars, such as the starch from corn. Create it into "Mash". Grind or crush the feedstock (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc...). Then dilute and add an enzyme (alpha amylase) to turn the mixture into a liquid. Once liquified a second enzyme is added(glucoamylase) to convert the starch into sugar. (If the source is mainly sugar, i.e...rotten fruit, molasses, etc..., the conversion step can be skipped. Step Two: . . . Fermentation Add yeast and make it into a beer (wine) type solution. Step Three: . . . Distillation The beer (wine) type solution needs to be run through a still to extract the alcohol from the solution. Step Four: . . . Filtration The ethanol now needs to be filtered to get rid of excess organic volatiles. Step Five: . . . Dehydration The ethanol needs to be "dried". After the distillation process there will be a certain amount of water in the ethanol you have just created - this can be dried running the ethanol through Zeolite a readily available product for drying ethanol. Step Six: . . . Ethanol Into e85 Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline. Making your own ethanol will require some initial investment, but the rewards will be very, very beneficial. You can make your own e85 for right around a $1.00 a gallon if you buy the corn and for about $.60 a gallon if you grow your own corn. e85 Flex Fuel Vehicles are becoming more and more popular as the gas prices continue to rise. e85 is defiantly going to be a major relief for the United States fuel problem. You may even be driving a flex fuel vehicle now. Many newer models are equipped to handle both gasoline as well as e85 ethanol. The best way to check is to look in your owners manuel, check in the fuel door for the e85 sticker or contact your dealer and have them run your vin number to see if you vehicle is compatable. I suggest that you do all three, to be on the safe side.Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline.

Read More

Why Hybrid Car Drivers Need Thick Skin

Buying a hybrid car is more than a calculated decision to save fuel. It is a statement about "saving the planet". Even if the chances are pretty slim that hybrid technology will actually make much difference, it gives hybrid owners the right to feel superior. After all, they care about the planet. And the rest of the world obviously doesn't. But if you're one of those hybrid owners you'd better be ready to lose some friends. Here's why... 1. You're Driving Way Too Slow In theory at least, hybrid owners are the antithesis of those guys who just ache to get in that passing lane and leave the rest of us behind. You know the type...you're minding your own business coming out onto the expressway and the otherwise ordinary guy in the vehicle behind you swings out and passes even before you've hit the highway. Hybrid owners seem to do just the opposite. You've known for years that driving slow saves fuel. So you're likely to be driving under the speed limit rather than over like the rest of the world. The fact that you're driving a hybrid just makes it worse, since you know that all the potential savings are squandered if you try to go fast. Especially when you're accelerating. That guy in the high powered vehicle who pulls out and passes... the thought of saving gas has never crossed his mind. But hydrid owners know better. For you it's a moral duty to save fuel. The fate of the planet depends on it. So there's no way you're going to try any of that fast acceleration stuff. 2. What's with the Pulse and Glide Stuff You've been told that "pulse and glide" can make a serious difference to your gas milage. That's where you accelerate (conservatively) to the speed limit, and then let the car "glide" to 10 or more miles per hour below the speed limit. Repeat this procedure. Repeat this procedure. Repeat this procedure... I once had a friend who drove like this. I thought he was dozing off between pulses, but now I know differently. He was actually doing the environmentally responsible thing. My friend's driving habits aside, this practice is not going to endear you to all the rest of the drivers who can't figure out why you keep slowing down. It's probably smart to speed up just a little when you find yourself in anything other than the "slow" lane. All bets are off when they let you use the carpool lane. 3. You Just Won't Inch Forward Will You! Everybody else in the world knows that you must "inch" forward during stop and go traffic. How else are you going to keep up with the driver in front. Besides, if you leave more than about a 15' gap between you and the guy ahead somebody's going to jump into the gap and slow you down even more. Hybrid drivers have been told this "inching forward" stuff is pointless and wastes fuel. And the way they build hybrids these days they've got a point. When you take your foot off the brake pedal the auto-stop turns off and the gasoline engine restarts -- like one of those gasoline engine golf carts. And there goes most of your gas savings. All those stops and starts just eat up the gas. But don't expect your mono-drive cousins to understand. They've only got one thing in mind: to get wherever they're going just as fast as possible. And everybody knows that racing up behind the guy in front is the only way to make that happen. 4. Do you really think you should be drafting me like that? The responsible hybrid owner will make use of every advantage to save gas. And drafting larger vehicles is one technique that the more aggressive will try. That's where you pull right up behind a semi, a van, or an SUV and try to stay in the pocket of air they are pulling along behind them. I remember doing this with an old '65 Beetle a few years back. We were travelling along the New York Thruway drafting semis. We were making great time and saving lots of gas... until we blew a rod. Of course, sticking on someone’s bumper will not endear you to too many of your fellow drivers. And as I discovered, it's a bit dangerous too. You'll find yourself going quite a bit faster than you otherwise would go. And whipping along in that back-draft does not do a lot for your stability. Just try to remember, when you're out there on the highway trying to save the planet, the rest of the world could care less about your morally superiour driving habits. All they want to do is get where they're going as fast as they can.

Read More

Saving Big With Hybrid Cars

In America, a standard automobile gets an average of 20.4 miles per gallon. With the innovative hybrid technology, consumers can expect to get a lot more mileage for their dollar. According to researchers, the Honda Insight was designed specifically for the purpose of getting the best gas mileage and is said to be the current industry leader in this type of hybrid savings. Just how much of a difference will consumers see with the Honda Insight hybrid cars? Studies have shown that hybrid cars featuring a manual transmission will get approximately 60 miles per gallon in the city and 66 miles per gallon on the highway. Hybrid cars with an automatic transmission generally provide slightly less than 57 miles per gallon in the city and 56 miles per gallon on the highway. The brand new 2006 Honda Civic hybrid cars are only manufactured with an automatic transmission and provide an approximate 50 miles per gallon on the highway and/or the city. As expected, hybrid cars will get better mileage per gallon than that of a hybrid SUVs. The Ford Escape, for example, provides 36 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway. Even with these numbers, the hybrid Escape is rated to provide better gas mileage than the non-hybrid Escape, which is only said to provide 22 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. The most popular reason for consumers to purchase hybrid cars is because they are economical. With the recent rise in gasoline prices, consumers were left searching for an automobile that could provide better gas mileage and found just that in hybrid cars. In addition to their fuel friendly design, hybrid cars are no longer confined to one or two cookie cutter designs. In fact, today’s hybrid cars are available in a variety of sizes, colors and are manufactured by a several automobile makers. With all of the aforementioned benefits, many wonder just how much the convenience of saving money will cost. Surprisingly, hybrid cars are not drastically priced above other non-hybrid automobiles. In fact, hybrid cars & SUVs can be found in prices ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for standard models, but may cost more depending on chosen upgrades. The new hybrid cars are available in the look of typical highway automobiles or those designed with a unique flair. Either way, the manufacturers of hybrid cars believe that while appearance is important, the most important thing about these new technologically advanced autos is the fact that they are both environmentally and wallet friendly.

Read More

What Are Hybrid Cars?

Hybrid plants like corn or rice are familiar to many but hybrid cars? Are these space-age cars that do not need fuel to run or even fly in the sky? To the uninitiated, hybrid cars may seem like an alien form or specie that requires a lot of explaining. To car and environment aficionados, hybrid cars are either bane or boon especially with the increasing fuel prices worldwide. Hybrid cars may just be the answer of modern scientists to the rising fuel cost and the deteriorating quality of the environment. Contrary to your belief, hybrid cars are no longer new to the society as the auto industry has come up with various models of hybrid cars. Car manufacturers who have been left behind in the race for the perfect hybrid car have announced their intention to compete in the market. Hybrid vehicles are those that possess the dual qualities of being able to run on more than two sources of power like gasoline or battery. The first hybrid vehicles came in the form of hybrid bikes which has fuel features but can be operated using the pedal skills of the rider. Hybrid cars are more common in Europe particularly in Norway and France. Hybrid buses that are operated by overhead and by diesel when they travel in other areas without the overhead wires are also being used in Seattle. There are also hybrid submarines which run on nuclear, diesel or electric energy. The most common hybrid vehicle is that powered by both gasoline and electricity. A hybrid car attempts to allow the owner to save on fuel while being environment friendly. However, can hybrid cars be efficient enough to provide long distance travel without being refueled or recharged? Most gasoline-powered vehicles answer this requirement although they cause more damage to the environment because of the emissions. On the other hand, electric vehicles are more environment-friendly but can only go on a maximum of 161 kilometers until it is recharged and the recharging time is very slow. The hybrid car combines the advantages of both the gasoline-powered and the electric-powered car. A hybrid car possesses a gasoline engine much like the ordinary gasoline powered car but the engine is much smaller, more environment-friendly due to lesser emissions and more efficient. It also possesses a very high tech electric motor which allows dual use of batteries and energy. The hybrid car may just be in its infancy but the human mind can very well make sure that the hybrid cars will be the cars of the future.

Read More

Save Gas With A Hybrid: 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

Starting at $22,150, the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid is a great choice for any car buyer who seeks a safe, attractive, environmentally-friendly vehicle at an affordable price. Honda retooled the Civic hybrid to make it even better than before. Standard features include an 8-valve 4-cylinder gasoline engine, anti-lock brakes, front and side cushion airbags, a sleek, multi-tier panel and a top-notch audio system. Like all hybrids, the 2006 Civic combines a gas engine, powerful battery and electric motor to achieve maximum mileage and reduced emissions. The 2006 Honda Civic hybrid can cruise using only its electric motor in particular driving conditions. This makes it a “full hybrid” vehicle. As far as gas mileage goes, the Civic hybrid gets 49 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. This is a slight improvement from the gas mileage of the 2005 model. The 2006 Civic hybrid's electric motor produces 20 horsepower. The battery pack used for storing energy is 158 volts, increased from the previous year. The 2006 Civic hybrid offers seating for five and is considered a compact sedan. Sleeker and more attractive than the 2005 Civic hybrid, the 2006 model is great for anyone seeking a sportier hybrid car. As far as power goes, the combined gas engine and electric motor of the 2006 Civic hybrid produce 115 horsepower, an increase of 23 percent from the 2005 model. If you think the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid might be the right car for you, the next step is finding a reputable dealership. You can search for dealerships in your area using the Yellow Pages or the Internet. It's a good idea to visit more than one dealership before deciding which one should have your business. Make sure your salesperson is knowledgeable and friendly without being overly aggressive. And always take a test drive to make sure the vehicle you think you want to purchase feels right to you.

Read More

Toyota's Prius to be Built in China

The Toyota Prius, a car built on hybrid gas-electric technology, will soon receive a major production boost. Toyota and an undisclosed Chinese based manufacturing company have sealed a deal where the two companies will be working together to produce the Prius for worldwide export. This bodes well for the American consumer who has to endure long waits for an all new Prius. More importantly, the move signals a sea change in the way Japanese cars are built and marketed. Ultimately, you may be the biggest winner; please read on for all the scintillating details! If you wait nine months for a car, it means you must really want that model. This is exactly what future owners of the Prius have been doing as well as owners of other hybrid cars including some Honda models. No manufacturer has been able to keep up with the surging demand and, despite lower fuel prices, demand continues to increase. For Toyota, production levels on virtually every car they produce have been very high. Thus, even producing more Prius’ has been impossible as manufacturing capacity has been stretched thin. Until now that is. With Toyota’s new relationship with China, it is expected that Prius production will ramp up. More Prius’ built in China will mean more hybrid models from Toyota as production shifts westward to the Chinese mainland from Japan. As you might guess, labor costs in China are extremely low too. There is no telling if a car produced in China for Toyota will be sold for less in the US or simply translate into bigger profits for Toyota. Likely it will be a combination of the two, a true win-win situation for Toyota as well as for the American consumer! Hopefully, the Chinese built Prius will match typical Toyota quality levels. It probably will as whatever vehicles Toyota builds around the globe must match Toyota quality standards. Are you waiting for a Prius? Your wait won’t get shortened any time soon, but for future owners they expect to see a significant drop in wait times as new, Chinese-built Prius’ show up on American shores.

Read More

Hybrid vehicle buying Incentives in California

California is one of the few states that provide huge incentive on hybrid vehicle purchase. This incentive is not limited to tax credits only like other states. You can avoid highway lane restriction; get parking privilege if you are driving a hybrid vehicle. Also some of Californians City offer benefit on hybrid cars. Here are some benefits in California for buying hybrid vehicles: State Hybrid HOV: On Jan. 1, 2005, CA will allow hybrid electric vehicles that get at least 45mpg and have SULEV emissions ratings to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes without regard to the number of passengers in the vehicle. As of 8/10, this incentive is now in operation. Current eligible vehicles include the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Honda Civic hybrid. Vehicles must have special decals in order to use HOV lanes. Note: A total of 75,000 decals are available and will be granted on a "first come-first served" basis. For more information go to http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/carpool/carpool.htm San Jose Free Hybrid Parking: Free parking at downtown San Jose public parking facilities and on-street meters throughout the City for Clean-Fuel Vehicles purchased in San Jose. Began 1/1/03. Eligibility-- Contact-- Jason Burton (408) 794-1427, jason.burton@ci.sj.ca.us. Los Angeles Hybrid Free Parking -- Gas-electric hybrid cars can park at parking meters for free, but can still be ticketed for exceeding the time allotment for metered spaces. The ran through a 6 month trial period from October 2004-March 2005. The LA City Council recently voted an extension of the incentive through May 2005 while the LA Department of Transportation prepares an evaluation. Police Officers have been trained to recognize hybrid cars. If you own a Zero Emission Vehicle or Super Low Emission Vehicle as defined by the California Air Resources Board, you may purchase a California Clean Air Vehicle Decal from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Once you have purchased and affixed the decal to your vehicle per DMV instructions, you can park without depositing coins at metered parking spaces (however, you remain subject to the posted time limit restrictions) throughout the city. To find out how to obtain a California Clean Air Vehicle Decal, go to: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/decal.htm According to a representative at the LA Department of Transporation, four hybrid vehicles were identified as eligible to receive the free metered parking privileges during the pilot program: Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight and Ford Escape Hybrid. For more information e-mail the LA Department of Transportation at ladot@dot.lacity.org. Insurance Discount for Hybrids (private): Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance company is offering a 5 percent discount on auto insurance to California customers driving hybrid-electric models. The discount, effective October 1, 2005, is for all customers who own a hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicle. All new business customers will receive the discount as of the new business date, and existing customers will receive the discount upon renewal. Hybrid Tax Credit (bill): AB 838 would provide purchasers of hybrid vehicles a credit against net tax in an amount equal to a specified percentage of the amount paid as vehicle license fee (VLF) during the taxable year. The percentage of the credit would depend on emissions ratings. ZEV autos would receive 100 percent of the credit, PZEVs 90 percent, ATPZEVs 85 percent, and SULEVs 80 percent. ULEVs would also qualify if the vehicle obtained an EPA-raded 75 mpg or above (75 percent of the credit) or between 33 and 75 mpg (between 33 percent and 74 percent, accordingly). The bill was not passed in the 2005 legislative session. Hybrid Internet Sales (bill): AB 1223 would allow direct sales of hybrid vehicles from manufacturers to customers without having to go through a dealer. This bill failed to pass the Transportation Committee on 5/2/05. Santa Barbara County Incentives for Hybrids: Incentive funding ($1000) for up to ten (10) hybrid vehicles is available for Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District residents. Funding currently depleted. Contact--Irene Salazar ISalazar@energy.state.ca.us. Responsible agency--California Energy Commission. Program ended March 30, 2004 and is no longer in effect.

Read More

Hybrid Engineering: A New Chance for Less Contaminating Cars

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.

Read More

How Hybrid Cars Work

A hybrid car is such a car in which two types of motors are synchronized to provide power to the wheels. The most popular combination is the one in which the gasoline engine is assisted by the electric motor so that the gas engine is periodically shut off in order to reserve fuel. Usually hybrid cars are subdivided into two major categories. In the first type, only the use of electric motor propels the engine at very low speeds. The electric motor has the inherent ability to assist the engine when more power is required. It helps out the gasoline engine even while climbing or passing a steep road. The Ford Escape Hybrid and the Toyota Prius fall into the initial category. The second of its kind requires extra horsepower for its gasoline engine to drive while in rapid acceleration or when moving up the hill. It utilizes that excess power only from the electric motor to assist the internal combustion engine. The Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid are ideal examples of the second category. These two engines do possess some resemblances as well. When electric motor is used to assist the gasoline engine, both of the hybrids extract power from the battery depleting power, which in turn gets simultaneously self-recharged from the gasoline engine. Hence a hybrid car does not need to be plugged into a power source to recharge its battery, which is the most important aspect of hybrid cars. Hybrid cars usually utilize sealed nickel metal hydride batteries, a technology which is popularly used in laptops and cell phones. These batteries are easy to make, cost effective and long lasting thus making it ideal for a higher valued car. Hybrid engineers more than often have opted for unconventional design facets to maximize aerodynamics inside the engine, giving rise to its slim structure. These car units originally have very low (ultra low) drag coefficient due to sleek configurations, which make the cars slippery. All carmakers strive to reduce drag, as a vehicle with less drag requires less power as well as fuel to move. The electrical system is monitored by an onboard computer system. The system is program controlled in such a way that when the vehicle is coasting downhill or the brakes are applied, polarity of the system is automatically reversed as the motor actually turns into an energy generating unit. This process is popularly known as regenerative where the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy stores up power into the battery. All hybrid cars normally shut the gasoline engine off during road signals so as to conserve fuel reserve. The phenomenon is called idle stop characteristics. It cuts electrical consumption down during idle condition other than fuel saving and emission reduction. On pressing the accelerator paddle, the gasoline engine resumes work getting assistance from electric motor. The process being silent and seamless, the loss or delay in overall performance during this time is almost negligible. The hybrids are manufactured by a special forging process termed as shot peeing, which reduces friction in the sidewalls of the cylinder thus increasing efficiency. Hybrid cars, thus, by virtue of their technological advancement, exceptional fuel economy and marginal gas emissions, can be easily termed as the next generation cars

Read More

How Do Hybrid Vehicles Work?

How many times have you pulled up to the pumps lately only to be shocked at the price of gasoline? Suddenly your $25 tank of gas is costing $40. Have you considered trading your vehicle in for something that gets better fuel economy? How about a Hybrid vehicle? If you’ve ever wondered “how do hybrid vehicles work?” read on. Hybrid vehicles address two issues – global warming by reducing emissions and reduced fuel costs. There are lots of different hybrid designs showing up on the market, so understanding how they work is very important to getting the best value for your money. If you have ever owned a moped, you can proudly consider yourself a first generation hybrid owner because they combine pedal power and gasoline. Hybrid vehicles really aren’t that new a concept. You’ll find them all around you in commercial use. Giant mining trucks, submarines, buses, and even train engines all have a fuel source and an electrical source of power. Most of the hybrid vehicles we are seeing on the market are gasoline and electric hybrids. This means they use both gas and electricity to power them. The two power sources can be combined in different ways. The parallel hybrid has a fuel tank which supplies fuel to the engine and a set of batteries which supplies power to the electric motor. Both sources are able to turn the transmission. The series hybrid is a little different. The gasoline engine turns a generator which can either power the electric motor that drives the transmission or charge the batteries. In this type of hybrid the gas engine never directly powers the vehicle. With a hybrid car the gas engine can be a lot smaller than in a conventional car so it can be a lot more efficient. Acceleration requires a larger engine to produce the power needed, but by using a smaller engine and combining it with the assistance of an electrical motor that is operating at peak load the acceleration needs of a vehicle can be met. Hybrid vehicles also capture the energy from the braking system. When the brake is applied, energy is removed from the car and dissipated as heat which is then captured and stored in the batteries for later use. Hybrid cars also have an automatic shutoff, so when the vehicle comes to a stop the engine is shut off and then restarts automatically when the accelerator is touched. This conserves energy that would be wasted when idling. Depending on the manufacture, the technology is used in various forms but the basics remain simple. Hybrid technology in the consumer auto market is still relatively new but will continue to develop and improve. Hybrid vehicles work efficiently to reduce tailpipe emissions and improve mileage. So if you are in the market for a new vehicle you might want to have a look at the hybrids.

Read More

Consider A Hybrid Car To Save Gas

Why you should consider a hybrid Vehicle...

Hybrid vehicles work by combining a gas powered engine with an electric motor generator that gets power from a battery pack. You do not need to plug in or charge your hybrid, as most vehicles have the ability to charge themselves while you are driving. This onboard system is called RESS (rechargeable energy storage system).

You may already know that hybrid vehicles are a good way to reduce pollution and harmful emissions and are therefore more environmentally friendly. But did you know that a hybrid vehicle can save you up to 250 gallons of gas each year?

There is also a special program implemented by the IRS that allows new owners of hybrid vehicles to apply for a tax break. Your local tax preparation office or any dealership that sells hybrid vehicles can tell you more about this special financial benefit.

You can expect to pay a few thousand more for a hybrid vehicle than you would a non-hybrid of the same type. How much the vehicle costs will depend on the year, make and model. For example, the affordable Honda Accord hybrid runs around $30,000. On the other end of the spectrum, the luxury RX400h SUV hybrid offered by Lexus will cost at least $10,000 to $15,000 more.

With rising gas prices and increasing alarm about the condition of our environment, hybrid vehicles are becoming more and more mainstream with each passing day. If you're considering purchasing a hybrid vehicle, research is the first order of business. It's always a good idea to do a little preliminary searching online before ever entering a dealership so you will know more about the vehicles you are interested in as well as how much you can expect to pay for them. You may initially be paying more for a hybrid car, but when you consider the overall benefits, purchasing a hybrid vehicle may prove to be a wise investment.

Read More

All About Hybrid Cars

Environmental issues have never been in the spotlight as much as they are today. Consumers are becoming much more environmentally conscious and companies are scrambling to appease them. This is also very true of automobile companies and this trend has lead to the development of hybrid cars.

As the name suggests, hybrid cars are just that – hybrids. They do not run on one specific type of propulsion or fuel system. Rather, hybrid cars can typically use at least two propulsion systems. While many systems have been investigated, the most common hybrid cars are those that can run on either gasoline or electricity in the form of a battery. Most recently, hybrid cars have been manufactured which can use an ethanol derivative, commonly termed Flex Fuel.

Inventors have long been conducting experiments to create hybrid cars, without success. In fact, the first experiments were conducted in the 19th century when manufacturers were attempting to phase out steam-driven vehicles. The first successful hybrid car wasn’t created until the turn of the 20th century, but it was more than 90 years before the hybrid car was released for public sale.

Typically, hybrid cars contain the main components of an everyday gasoline-driven car. There is a fuel tank, a transmission and a gasoline engine. However, today’s hybrid car also contains electric mechanisms such as a battery and an electric motor. In some cases, the battery of the hybrid car is powered by solar energy. That way, the battery can recharge itself during the day. Some owners of hybrid cars prefer to switch propulsion systems depending on whether it is day or night. Amazingly, recent developments in hybrid cars have allowed for the kinetic energy created by the gasoline engine to be used to recharge the battery.

Hybrid cars are riding a wave of popularity. Most of the major car companies, including Toyota, Honda, and even Lexus, have introduced their own hybrid cars to the automobile market. With their smaller gasoline engines and reduced output of emissions, hybrid cars appeal to any socially responsible individual. The decreased size of the engines in hybrid cars have also led to new, sleeker designs and the incorporation of much lighter materials. So, the efficiency and power are quite satisfactory for the typical user, with hybrid cars reaching a horsepower of as much as 90. With the advancements in modern technology, it can only be expected that the hybrid cars of the future will be more efficient, cheaper and in great demand.

Read More