Hybrid Vs. Fuel Cars

Hybrids offer significant advantages over traditional fuel cars but do they outweigh the disadvantages?

Hybrid cars have become the hot topic of the auto industry as virtually every major manufacturer in the world is looking to unveil its own fleet of green cars. Consumers, still stung from the exorbitant fuel prices from early 2008, are searching for ways to reduce the daily costs of driving and concurrently have a sociably acceptable reduced carbon footprint. Enter the hybrid car. The hybrid is the industry's answer to both rising fuel costs and increasing pollution concerns, but how well does a hybrid stack up against the traditional fossil fuel burning auto?

History

Manufacturers have made various efforts to produce hybrid vehicles dating back to the early 20th century. In fact, until Henry Ford managed to resolve the early difficulties of gasoline engines the electric and hybrid cars were the preferred choice of consumers. It wasn't until the 1990s when hybrid cars were once again reintroduced to consumers as production models from manufacturers. Unfortunately, the early models were financially unsuccessful and resulted in the manufacturers discontinuing their hybrid and electric vehicle programs temporarily. When the Honda Insight was introduced in 1999 it significantly altered the landscape. With an EPA rated 70 mpg on the highway, the Insight offered fuel savings that were measurable to the public. Shortly thereafter the popular Honda Civic Hybrid was introduced that not only provided an impressive miles per gallon EPA rating but also delivered the same convenient driving characteristics of a traditional fuel burning car. In 2004 the Toyota Prius hybrid became the unofficial flagship of the hybrid car revolution. A four-door hybrid with jaw dropping fuel efficiency and convenient styling, the Prius represented the new generation of hybrids.

Types

Hybrids are vehicles that employ both an electric motor powered by large batteries (either NiCad or more recently, lithium ion) as well as a small gas-powered traditional engine. The gas engine usually powers the vehicle once it either reaches a certain speed or travels a predetermined distance. The very term "hybrid" alludes to a blending of two different sources for power: fossil fuel and electricity.

Advantages

Hybrid vehicles pose a number of advantages over their fossil fuel burning brethren. Most hybrid owners report a substantial savings at the fuel pump due to the increased gas efficiency of the hybrid design. Combined with this efficiency savings is the reduced pollution or carbon footprint. In fact, certain hybrid vehicles like the upcoming Chevy Volt will be able to utilize electric only power for up to a 40 mile range, which means that for the average commuter trip, it will be expending hardly any fossil fuel whatsoever. Further, many hybrid models qualify for a federal and/or state tax credit that can reduce the initial cost of purchasing the vehicle.

Disadvantages

The debate is not completely one sided however; there are some drawbacks to driving a hybrid. Usually you will have to pay more up front for your hybrid than you would for a comparable fuel car. The difference in price can be in the thousands of dollars. Although you will save money by the increased fuel efficiency of your hybrid you should calculate how long it will take you to equal the increased initial cost of your hybrid. Sometimes this can take you several years to achieve. Additionally, the performance of hybrid cars is not always up to the driver's expectations of traditional fuel cars. This can leave the sometimes sluggish acceleration experience disappointing to the thrill seeker. Also, those who wish to use their hybrid vehicle to tow trailer loads may need to do some research on whether their hybrid will be up to the task.

Future Outlook

On the whole, the outlook for hybrid vehicles is overwhelmingly positive. The auto industry as a whole is committed to providing hybrid vehicles in almost every shape, form and fashion. From performance driven sports cars to roomy family minivans and SUVs, the hybrid of your needs is coming to a dealer near you. More importantly, the increased cost of the hybrid technology is rapidly decreasing as manufacturers are able to reduce costs and reap the profits of enhanced research. Hybrids are rapidly closing the performance gap between their fuel burning brothers while increasing the efficiency gap.

References

• Hybrid Cars: The History of Hybrid Vehicles