| So you're in the market for a hybrid car and think all | | | | only nets approximately 2mpg more than its non hybrid |
| hybrids are the same? Better think again as there are | | | | counterpart. |
| a number of different types of hybrid vehicles available | | | | Plug-In Hybrids |
| and even more on the way. Buyers need to be | | | | Plug-In hybrids at this time are not available from any |
| informed and realize that hybrid vehicles can be | | | | car manufacturer, but you can expect to see them in |
| drastically different in terms of both technology and the | | | | the near future. The plug-in hybrid uses the internal |
| hit to your checkbook. In the following article I will | | | | combustion engine only as a backup to the electric |
| breakdown the different technologies available and | | | | motor. These hybrids can be plugged into a normal |
| help you determine what is best for you. | | | | household electrical outlet to charge, but in addition they |
| Full Hybrids | | | | can also use the same charging capabilities of a full |
| At this point most people would agree that these are | | | | hybrid. While full hybrids utilize the electric and internal |
| the best types of hybrids currently available. They | | | | combustion engine all the time, plug-in hybrids will only |
| operate using two separate propulsions systems, the | | | | use the internal combustion engine as a backup when |
| internal combustion engine and the electric motor which | | | | the electric motors batteries run out of juice. At this |
| can work independently of each other. Under certain | | | | point the car will operate as a full hybrid. Plug-In hybrids |
| driving conditions, typically low speed, the car can | | | | are expected to achieve better fuel efficiency than |
| operate purely on the electric motor. Full hybrids use | | | | the other hybrids and many people see this technology |
| regenerative braking which takes energy that would | | | | as the future of hybrid technology. |
| normally be lost and uses it to charge the hybrid | | | | At this time there are a few companies that will |
| battery packs. | | | | convert your full hybrid, like a Toyota Prius, into a |
| Full hybrids usually achieve very good fuel efficiency. | | | | plug-in hybrid, but they are more of a novelty at this |
| At this point full hybrids can be more expensive than | | | | point as they are cost prohibitive. |
| the other type hybrids cars, but the price should come | | | | Performance Hybrid |
| down as popularity increases. | | | | Electric motors can offer instant torque unlike a |
| An example of a full hybrid is the Toyota Prius. | | | | conventional combustion engine. Some companies |
| Mild Hybrids | | | | realized that you can take a smaller gasoline motor |
| Car manufacturers in a rush to capitalize on hybrid | | | | and pair it with an electric motor to get the |
| sales, created a breed of hybrid vehicles called mild | | | | performance of a much larger engine, and also get |
| hybrids. Upon closer examination you will come to | | | | good fuel efficiency. A good example of this would be |
| realize that many of these "mild hybrids" are as much | | | | the Lexus GS450h which is capable of going 0-60 in |
| a hybrid car as a vehicle with a turbocharger, which is | | | | 5.2 seconds, but gets a respectable 25mpg city / |
| why many people do not even consider these hybrid | | | | 28mpg freeway. The great thing about performance |
| vehicles. In a mild hybrid car the electric motor is not | | | | hybrids are the cars can get the performance of a V8 |
| connected to the powertrain like in a full hybrid. The | | | | engine, but get the fuel efficiency of a smaller motor. |
| electric motor will assist the internal combustion engine, | | | | In closing, be sure to do your homework when buying |
| but is incapable or propelling the vehicle on its own. Mild | | | | a hybrid car as some hybrids might not be what you |
| hybrids certainly aren't a bad thing but they do have | | | | expected in terms of fuel efficiency or price. A car |
| the tendency to mislead the consumer. They are much | | | | can have a badge that says hybrid on it but only get |
| cheaper to manufacture, are not as complex, and do | | | | 17mpg. All of the above technologies have their place |
| achieve a slight increase in gas mileage. The Chevrolet | | | | and it should be very exciting to see what the future |
| Malibu hybrid is one example of a mild hybrid and it | | | | holds for hybrid technology. |