How The Hybrid Car Works

The main difference between the full hybrid car and the mild variety is the electric motor and the diesel engine can operate on their own. It most cases the electric motor runs at low car speeds, once the speed picks up then the diesel engine takes over. The electric-motor and the diesel engine can work together during hard acceleration.

The full hybrid car can use and build up the electricity at the same time. This full hybrid system can be found in cars such as the Toyota Prius, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and the Escape Hybrid which is from Ford Motors.

The Toyota Prius runs on technology called “Hybrid Synergy Drive” which is a device combining the energy of the gas engine and the electric motor. The “Hybrid Synergy Drive” enables the switching between the electric motor and the engine without being noticed by the driver.

Unlike the other mild form of hybrid car the Toyota Prius can be operated using the electric motor on its own using the battery pack. This enables the car to be driven silently for small amounts of time. The Honda hybrid cars at this spec cannot run using just the electric motor.

While driving, the Prius uses the diesel engine as its main source of power and gets assistance from the motor if it is needed. This hybrid car then shuts off the gas engine automatically when the car stops. This in turn greatly improves the mileage and produces far less emission to the atmosphere.

The Diesel Vs The Hybrid Car

A good example is that is the Ford’s hybrid version of the Escape SUV which is boasted that it produces less than a pound in weight of smog substance for every 15,000 miles driven.
This is a vast improvement considering that most traditional diesel powered trucks produce about 105 pounds of smog pollutant for the same 15,000 mile use. Even regular small cars produce somewhere in the region of 67 pounds of pollution.

So in reality there is no argument over the amount of savings the consumer can gain with a hybrid car. Although it all comes at a cost, but with long turn gains that truly outweigh the cost of the hybrid car. Over time as more and more consumers realize that benefits of driving a hybrid car, supply should go up and bring the car prices down.

Since hybrid cars are relatively new to the car market, they are in fact quite expensive to buy. As people become more aware of the hybrid car and what effects it can have on the environment, producing less emissions then hopefully the hybrid car would become more accessible to every driver worldwide.

First consideration is “mileage”

The Honda Insight was mainly manufactured to obtain the best mileage possible. Thus making it the leader in terms of gas mileage. The traditional manual transmission hybrids have EPA estimates of 60 mpg in the city and 66 mpg on the highway. The automatic versions however are slightly lower at 57 mpg in the city and 56 mpg on the highway.

The second choice is the newer version of the Prius at 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. The reason the city mpg is higher on this vehicles is due to vehicle being able to operate on battery power alone when at low speeds.

The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid is available with a manual transmission of 46 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, the automatic is approx 48 mpg in the city and 47 mpg on the highway. The hybrid sedan is rated at 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Size does matter

Another point to consider when purchasing a hybrid vehicle is the size. When hybrids where first introduced they only came in two sizes but the manufacturers have since listened to their customers and are now responding to customers specific needs which means there have now been improvements.

Firstly you should look at how many people will be in the vehicle and what you typical load would be.

The Honda Civic Hybrid is a compact sedan. It has five seats and generally from the outside looks the same as a non-hybrid Civic. The interior is exactly the same, the only difference is the truck which is slightly smaller due to having to accommodate the battery.

The Prius 2000-2003 models have 5 seats, compact capacity, and has since been redesigned in 2004 which has now evolved into a mid-size category car. This larger edition also includes a hatch back.

The Price

Below is a means to compare current available hybrid cars. It’s not a clear-cut pricing table, but this will at least give you some indication.

> 2006 Toyota Prius, $21,2745
> 2006 Honda Insight, $19,330 manual transmission; $21,530 for automatic
> 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, $21,850
> 2007 Lexus GS 450h, $54,900
> 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid, $25,900
> 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid, $30,140

For SUV:
> 2006 Ford Escape hybrid begins at $27,515 for the two-wheel drive version and $28,595 for four-wheel drive.
> Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid SUV (summer 2006) $23,995.
> 2006 Lexus RX400h $49,060.
> 2006 Mariner Hybrid $29,840
> 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid $33,030 for the two-wheel drive; $34,430 for four-wheel drive.

The Look

The last consideration is of course the appearance.
You can either choose a hybrid car that looks exactly like the non-hybrid model or if you prefer you may want to go for one that is completely different.

To help you in your decision here is a list of just some of the best hybrid cars currently on sale:

1. Toyota Prius

Considered by many as the top-rated hybrid among them all, due to having a gasoline engine that provides assistance to the electric motor when operating. The electric engine runs the car at slower speeds but the Gas engine takes over when speed is required

The average fuel usage on a Prius is estimated at 60 mpg for Suburban driving 51 mpg on highway performance.

The Prius has a large spacious interior compared to that of its closest competitor, which is the Honda Civic hybrid, the Prius is also supposed to be better on Mileage.

2. Honda Civic Hybrid

This hybrid vehicle is not as efficient as the prius but does however have a reputation for reaching higher speeds especially on the highways. However the Fuel usage on this car is lower averaging at around 26 mpg when driven in the city.

3. Ford Escape Hybrid

This is the first Hybrid SUV on the market. Its success heralded the launching of the Mercury Mariner a year earlier than was intended. This hybrid vehicle produces 28 mpg in combination driving. This vehicle is well known for its spacious cargo room, its easy maneuverability and its excellent visibility.

Its add-ons include anti-lock brakes and outlet for 110-volts located in the control panel. The Escape Hybrid still reigns supreme above its closest SUV rivals, such as Lexus.

4. Honda Insight

This hybrid from Honda may not be as award-winning as its competitors, but when it comes to fuel economy it averages 60 mpg on city driving, and 66 mpg on the highway.

Although the Honda Insight is not as comfortable and impressive as the popular Civic or Toyota Prius, it would work well as a second-car, or as a commuter vehicle.

Other vehicles available include:

2006 Lexus RX 400h – this is the first SUV in the luxury category, this vehicle is known for its power, technology and its fuel efficiency.

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid – This vehicle is said to drive better than the common SUV, and gives off greater power, however the downside on this vehicle is its lack of gadgets on the dashboard.

There are many characteristics worth considering when purchasing a Hybrid Car, they have low emissions, are fuel efficient, and the battery actually recharges itself whilst you are driving therefore eliminating the need to plug into a wall socket like you would with a pure Electric Car.

There are also other considerations that must be taken into account when purchasing your HEV.

1. As a Prospective buyer you should have some level of understanding regarding the language that is used in relation to buying hybrid cars. According to the California Air Resources Board, Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle is a car with 50 percent cleaner emission, compared with that of a new 2001 model car.

A Super Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle emits 90% cleaner emissions than that of an average new 2002 model car. You will however have heard of cars that produce zero-emission but these are purely electric cars, and not hybrid cars, and at present pure electrical cars are impractical to produce.

2. You should also consider what you would use your HEV for. Hybrid cars are best used on short distance journeys in your local area if you were to use them on Highways or long journeys you would not be expected to get much Fuel reduction.

3. The other consideration is the cost, Hybrid Cars are usually more expensive than normal vehicles but this is due to the fact that at present there is only small numbers in production compared to Petrol cars and also they are more mechanically more complex. But these are only minor concerns considering what you will be saving on fuel.

The Federal State is at present encouraging people to buy HEV’s due to the long term benefits of limiting fuel usage. There are also several tax deductions for new buyers of hybrid cars, and several cities are also offering free parking as an additional incentive for low-emissions vehicles.

Therefore it is safe to say that the people, who buy hybrid cars, are the people who are buying the vehicles of the future.