| With fuel costs continuing to rise and the many | | | | eliminate the need for shifting. |
| environmental concerns with using a traditional gas | | | | Costs |
| engine vehicle, the need has arisen for vehicles that | | | | In general, hybrid vehicles cost more upfront to |
| save on fuel costs and also are more friendly to the | | | | purchase than a conventional vehicle with the same |
| environment. To fill this need, hybrid cars have risen | | | | general specifications. A Prius, for example, costs |
| from relative obscurity to enjoy mainstream success | | | | between $20,000 and $24,000 depending on the |
| with strong sales. | | | | options you select. A similar vehicle with a conventional |
| The general definition of a hybrid vehicle can be traced | | | | engine can cost several thousand dollars less. Upfront, |
| back thousands of years, even to ancient sea vessels | | | | the costs are significantly higher. Over the long run |
| that used the power of both wind and rowing. This | | | | though, a hybrid can save in fuel costs, thereby |
| term can refer to any vehicle that uses two or more | | | | absorbing the upfront additional cost and then paying |
| methods of power, including gas, electric, natural gas, | | | | for itself in fuel savings over the course of years. |
| vegetable oil, fuel cells, ethanol and other biofuels. | | | | Advantages |
| How Does It Work? | | | | - Cost savings is a huge factor, while the savings may |
| While there are many different types of hybrid | | | | take a while to come to fruition, fuel efficiency and |
| vehicles with different mechanisms for power, let's | | | | cost savings in the long run is a serious advantage |
| examine one of the most popular hybrids on the road | | | | - Environmentally, a hybrid is a sound car to drive, with |
| today, the Toyota Prius. The Prius uses both gas and | | | | less gas needed and less pollution |
| electricity. Under the hood, it includes an internal | | | | - The hybrid cars of yesteryear, with their funny looks |
| combustion engine (gas engine) and an electric motor, | | | | and funny names are being replaced by sporty and |
| with each system connected to each other and the | | | | elegant looking hybrids, there are even SUV's available |
| vehicle through the vehicle's transmission. For power | | | | that are hybrids. If looks were a concern then, they |
| storage, the vehicle uses a battery, which is also used | | | | aren't now. |
| to power the vehicle's accessories like air conditioning | | | | Future Of Hybrids |
| and climate control. The electric motor and internal | | | | The future is uncertain for hybrids, with so many other |
| combustion engine work in parallel, which means that | | | | fuel saving and environmentally safe alternatives |
| either or both can power the vehicle at the same time. | | | | already in the pipeline or in development including many |
| Regenerative braking is also included in the Prius, which | | | | biofuels, fuel cells, full on electric powered cars, as well |
| saves and stores kinetic energy while braking. The | | | | as ethanol making a huge splash, hybrids will need to |
| transmission of the Prius is a continuously variable | | | | evolve even further to keep their lead. |
| transmission, which uses an onboard computer to | | | | |