| The rising cost of gasoline today has finally knocked | | | | the nitrogen released into the atmosphere by the |
| some sense into the American automobile market. The | | | | natural decay of corn and other vegetable product. |
| absurd prices of gas may have taken the country | | | | Hybrid Vehicles |
| unexpectedly but other countries have already been | | | | A hybrid vehicle uses an electric motor for power and |
| exploring the use of alternative fuel and more | | | | combines that with an internal combustion engine. It |
| fuel-efficient cars. Brazil, for example has been using | | | | increases fuel efficiency and causes less pollution. |
| ethanol from corn since the 1970s when the Middle | | | | Depending on the type and model of the hybrid vehicle, |
| East embargo forced the country to consider other | | | | it can save you at least 30 percent on fuel cost. |
| fuel options. They are now one of the world's largest | | | | There are three types of hybrid vehicles using the |
| producers of ethanol. | | | | following engine types:o Mild hybrid engine - This engine |
| Japan is also one of the leaders when it comes to the | | | | type does not have an electric motor but have an |
| use of hybrid vehicles, even releasing designs and | | | | oversized engine starter that will turn off the gas |
| prototypes for a fully-automated electric vehicle. | | | | engine during coasting or braking but can instantly turn |
| Majority of the automobiles that come from Japan and | | | | on when power is needed.o Full hybrid engine - This |
| other Asian countries have the best fuel economy | | | | engine types have an electric motor and a combustion |
| feature. | | | | engines that can work independently of each other.o |
| Unfortunately, the United States have been lagging | | | | Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model - uses electricity from any |
| behind in terms of alternative fuel use and fuel efficient | | | | wall outlets that can recharge the battery which acts |
| cars. General Motors have been criticized for its very | | | | as back-up for the internal combustion engine. |
| uneconomical automobile line but recently, they have | | | | Why Drive a Hybrid? |
| released hybrid versions of their popular vehicle lines. | | | | Hybrid vehicles, aside from being fuel efficient and |
| Environmental Impact | | | | cost-effective, are also safe to drive at par with any |
| Hybrid vehicles have become very important in recent | | | | gasoline-powered automobile. Hybrid vehicles are |
| years not only in terms of the fuel crisis spanning the | | | | designed to be one of the safest cars in the market |
| world but also of the environmental impact that it | | | | today with airbags and anti-lock brake systems. If |
| causes. Oil refineries are one of the world's largest | | | | alternative fuel, in the form of biodiesel or ethanol is |
| producers of air pollution and oil spills brought on by | | | | used, the driver can cut further his fuel budget in a |
| large tankers often kill diverse marine and aquatic plant | | | | month. |
| life that has taken millions of years to evolve. | | | | Another point in driving a hybrid is the tax rebates |
| The use of Biodiesel and ethanol tried to solve this | | | | made available to the US automobile-buying public. |
| problem. Ethanol from corn is very popular but it can | | | | Some states in the US offer tax incentives, tax credits |
| also be taken from other vegetable products. It | | | | and tax breaks if you purchase a hybrid vehicle. This is |
| produces considerably less air pollution and emission | | | | part of the program of the government to encourage |
| from the vehicle is almost zero. Environmentalists and | | | | consumers to purchase cars that can help save the |
| biologists call it carbon neutral, the emission from | | | | environment as well as solve the fuel crisis in the |
| ethanol refineries and vehicle emission equaling only to | | | | country. |