Hybrid Cars

Why Use Hybrid Cars?
By Naomi West

When it comes to purchasing a car many of us used to only think about how it looked and how fast we could go in it. But that was before gas prices skyrocketed and we were forced to think more about convenience rather then what we really wanted. People who are trying to purchase new cars are not in search of a car that receives good gas mileage.

Many manufacturers are designing their cars around this one feature to make them more appealing for people. One of the most common car that people feel can save them the most money are hybrids. These cars combine the use of two different types of engines in order to produce low measures of pollution.

Thanks to the uniqueness of the engine it is one of the quietest types of cars that you will ever see. They are designed with a fuel tank that is connected to the gasoline engine – but it is smaller and more efficient then in the average vehicle. It is also designed with an electric motor that uses batteries to function.

These hybrids have many features that include being able to travel long distances without using large amounts of fuel. When the car is idling or when it is traveling at low speeds it will switch to battery power. These batteries can be recharged at home.

When stopping the car it uses the electric motor and what is commonly known as regenerative braking. In the standard car they used friction to stop the car – but in a hybrid car kinetic energy will charge up the battery and use the energy to stop it. One of the best features that it has is the ability to shut itself off. When the car is idling it will automatically shut off and save fuel.

The Cash For Clunkers program is used to help people save money and purchase a car they can afford. Some of the most popular types are the Hybrids – which help to save people in gas money.

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2009 Hybrid Vehicle Jargon
By Steve Auger Platinum Quality Author

Confused about the 2009 hybrid jargon? If you are buying a new green car then you may want to become familiar with the terms listed below.

Integrated Motor Assist (IMA)

Honda’s hybrid car terminology is called Integrated Motor Assist. The technology was first introduced on the Honda Insight in 1999. It uses an electric motor mounted between the engine and transmission. The implementation employs a parallel drivetrain.

Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD)

The original Toyota Hybrid System (THS) used in the 1997-2003 Toyota Prius. Now the name has been changed to Hybrid Synergy Drive to accommodate usage outside the Toyota brand. HSD is a refinement of the THS. Toyota describes HSD-equipped vehicles as having E-CVT (Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission).

Two-Mode Hybrid System (TMHS)

Most 2008 hybrids do a good job in stop and go traffic but not highway usage. The Two-Mode system increases fuel efficiency above 40 mpg by use of a re-designed automatic transmission. GM has introduced this technology on the Chevrolet tahoe and GMC Yukon 2008 hybrids with more models to be converted over in 2009. The 2009 Chrysler Aspen hybrid will also include TMHS.

Super-Capacitor Hybrid

This technology, being developed by BMW, is a variation of the gas/electric hybrid. Instead of using a stack of rechargeable batteries for implementing the electrical power storage medium, BMW is using super-capacitors, thus making the car lighter, faster and more fuel efficient. As with the original hybrid concept, energy is recovered by regenerative braking. But instead of charging batteries, super-capacitors are charged instead. The capacitors store less power but unlike rechargeable batteries, all 100% of what is stored can be utilized. A 20% improvement in fuel efficiency has been reported with this technology.

Micro-Hybrid

The micro-hybrid is an initiative similar to the HEV, but without the large battery. The micro-hybrid, also called “stop-start”, causes the engine to stop idling during car slow down and stop conditions. This fuel efficient technology saves an estimated 5% – 15% for city driving and comes with a much lower price tag than full blown hybrids. Stop-start was introduced by Peugeot-Citroën on the Citroën C3 in 2004 and will be installed on most Peugeots and Citroëns in the EU on or around 2010. One big advantage of the micro-hybrid is that it is easier to implement and less expensive than other hybrid technologies. It is now also being combined with other fuel efficient hybrid technologies.

Steve Auger is the author of the blog http://www.blogonsmog.com/

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