| With the price of oil skyrocketing lately combined with | | | | it uses.o In one type of hybrid, called a parallel hybrid, |
| a growing interest in doing less harm to the | | | | both the electric motor and gasoline powered engine |
| environment, there has been a great deal of interest in | | | | are connected to the transmission, giving both the |
| hybrid cars over the past few years. Most major | | | | ability to propel the car.o In another type of hybrid, |
| automobile manufacturers now have at least one | | | | called a series hybrid, the gasoline powered engine |
| model of a hybrid car in production, whereas just a | | | | provides power to the generator which can charge |
| short time ago they were a rarity. Hybrid cars differ | | | | the batteries or provide power to the electric motor |
| from electric cars and cars designed to run on | | | | that has the responsibility of driving the transmission. In |
| alternative fuels, but are also an alternative fuel option | | | | this type of hybrid the gasoline engine technically does |
| themselves. Below is our basic fact sheet on the | | | | not directly power the car.o Studies indicate that a |
| subject of hybrid cars.o Most hybrid cars out on the | | | | hybrid car puts out 80 to 90 percent less carbon |
| roads right now are gas-electric hybrids. Diesel-electric | | | | monoxide and reactive hydrocarbons than a standard |
| hybrid cars are only in the development/beginning | | | | gasoline powered vehicle.o Federal, state, and local |
| stages for some manufacturers and in limited | | | | governments are offering incentives for consumers to |
| production by others.o While a hybrid car has a | | | | purchase hybrid vehicles. These incentives range from |
| gasoline powered engine similar to a standard car, the | | | | free meter parking to income tax credits.o A plug-in |
| engine is much smaller however, and uses additional | | | | hybrid car is a car that can also operate as a straight |
| technology to minimize emissions while increasing | | | | electric powered vehicle for shorter commutes and |
| efficiency.o In addition to the gasoline powered engine, | | | | uses the additional gasoline engine power for longer |
| a hybrid car has an advanced electric motor which | | | | commutes.o Hybrid cars have reduced wear and tear |
| also acts like a generator at times.o Almost all hybrid | | | | on their gasoline engines because not as much fuel is |
| cars make use of a technology called regenerative | | | | run through them and not as much is required from |
| braking that allows the car to recover energy through | | | | them. |
| the slowing down process.o A hybrid car's batteries | | | | Hybrid cars have been both the beneficiary of and the |
| are where the energy made by the electric motor is | | | | inspiration for new technological developments in the |
| stored.o A hybrid car's electric motor can put energy | | | | automotive industry. Thorough testing has determined |
| into as well as draw energy from the batteries.o The | | | | that some models of hybrid cars can be more fuel |
| transmission performs essentially the same functions in | | | | efficient than straight gasoline powered cars and at |
| a hybrid car as it does in a standard car. Most hybrid | | | | the same time be just as responsive and powerful. |
| cars have conventional transmissions, although some | | | | Hybrid cars remain today a viable option for families |
| have very different ones altogether.o Types of hybrid | | | | and businesses that want to reduce their reliance on |
| cars have been around and sold to the public sine the | | | | petroleum, save money on fuel, impact the |
| late 1800's, including one manufactured by Porsche.o A | | | | environment in a better way, or all three of those |
| hybrid car has less wear and tear on its braking | | | | reasons combined. |
| system thanks to the regenerative braking technology | | | | |