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Archive for the ‘Hybrid Cars’ Category
Wed, July 16, 2008 10:09 am By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
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 Tax Benefits Make Hybrid Car Purchase a Golden Oppourtunity
Any plan to purchase a brand new hybrid vehicle? Remember there are a few outstanding benefits available. If utilized properly, this could help users very much. Some among them are:
1. Reduction in cost of Insurance
2. Gas and Mileage Savings
3. Tax Credit
Before proceeding to invest on a green car, it would be better if you conduct your own research for the tax credit offered by the federal government. This is known as the New Energy Tax Credit. Digging some further information will not only educate the consumer on the scheme, but will also make them aware of the conditions imposed on these tax credits. Conditions such as tax credits or incentives are not permanent and are in fact being subjected to discontinuation or worse, a complete phase out.
The tax incentive is proved to be beneficial to the buyers of hybrid cars after December 31, 2005. As per the statistics, about USD 2,000 tax refunds has been granted for vehicles bought before 2006 and on one hand, vehicles purchased after December 31, 2005 were eligible to refunds as high as USD 3400. This is a remarkable difference in the amount of tax refund.
There are many vehicles that get covered by this tax refund including Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, GMC Sierra Hybrid, GMC Yukon 1500 Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. This list doesn’t end here. It also includes several gas-saving green vehicles that are not considered as hybrids.
Remember, before investing on these vehicles, it would be better if buyers strictly take note that these vehicles are eligible for New Energy Tax Credit scheme or not as it would help them from incurring losses in future. The better you gain information, the more the chances of evading losses.
Tags: Cars, Hybrid Cars, tax credit, vehicle, tax incentive
Sun, July 13, 2008 8:12 am By James Coolridge
 The world of automobiles is fast changing. With the arrival of hell lot of technologies, the scenario just had undergone a massive change with in a short span of time. The latest to make its entry are hybrid cars, which simply has created a furore among the automobile market around the globe. The rise in pollution and hike in fuel price were the two matters that were put forward by puritan conservatives in all their debates and arguments against automobile industry. Definitely, it cannot be ruled out that these points have played a big role in the manufacturing of hybrid cars.
This car run with electricity is the latest product of sophisticated technology helps in cutting down fuel and money and bringing down air pollution to the lowest level.
Let us have a look at the working mechanism of hybrid car. It not only has an engine that is connected to the transmission but also an electric motor that could power the vehicle. While the engine helps in running the car, the electric motor helps in increasing the power. The batteries of the car are charged and electronic motor of the car is powered with a generator. The electronic motor gets operated while the hybrid car runs below a minimum speed and the gasoline engine becomes functional when the speed is exceeded.
Another attractive feature of the hybrid cars are the size of their engine. They are comparatively small in size than ordinary cars which make the cars lighter, and efficient to manage. It makes the car less fuel consuming. The hybrid car in motion recharges battery making it more attractive. Now don’t jump after reading the next sentence. This highly sophisticated car will recharge the battery when applied the battery. No doubt, the hybrid cars are here to change the concept of automobiles. By saving time, energy, fuel and nature, the hybrid cars are no doubt both eco- friendly and user friendly. So why wait? Own a hybrid car to enjoy a comfortable drive.
Tags: Hybrid Cars, fuel consumption, ordinary cars
Fri, June 27, 2008 7:00 am By Jimmy Letto
 Motor manufacturers in America are converting conventional gasoline-driven cars into fully electric versions. Few British firms are also getting in on the act, building their cars from scrape. One such British firm is Lightning Car Company, which promises to produce an electric car capable of delivering 700 BHP and acceleration from rest to 60 in just four seconds.
The top speed of the electric car will be about 130 mph. The electric car will be a hit among the people who are concerned about the environment and who have enough bank balance to afford this expensive car. The car will cost you around £150,000.
This electric car has once again proved that the high performance electric cars are well and good for the elite class. It is thus a real challenging task for the car manufacturers to come up economical and family sized electric cars able to deliver similar performance to gasoline-driven cars.
Electric cars that are in the current market have a maximum range of 50 miles, which is not reasonable for anything beyond inner city roads. Meanwhile, US Car Company Telsa Motors are revealing the production of their new family sized electric car that may be produced later this year priced around £45,000.
Tags: expensive, Car, environment, Electric, Power
Tue, June 24, 2008 11:51 am By Vinnie Samson
 Hybrid cars have found their hour of fame this year. A lot of credit goes to sky rocketing gas prices which are not showing any signs of coming down. Now, people no longer stare at a hybrid car being driven down the freeway, as it has become a common scene. Most of the big shots in the automobile industry are cashing in by manufacturing hybrid cars.
Hybrid cars consume very little fossil fuel. This is because they partly run on gas and partly on the huge batteries that are under the hood, charging. You don’t have to plug them in, ‘coz the batteries are charged free as you drive. However, a big problem lies even with hybrid cars- the batteries need to be replaced and replacement of batteries will cost you a hefty sum.
Hybrid cars are popular on city roads because they have a lot of room inside. The mileage range is 24mpg to 64mpg on the larger hybrid models. However, good mileage doesn’t come without a price. Consider this- you could drive down from San Francisco to Sacramento on just a gallon! Well, who would mind spending bucks on these hybrid cars??
Tags: battery, Fuel, Clean, earth, efficient, electronic, alternative
Mon, June 23, 2008 6:17 am By Matt Davis
 Hybrids offer a cleaner ride. Introduced a decade ago as the “gas-saver of the future”, hybrids literally share the burden with the electric motors. They combine both gas and electric power. The result is positive- a clear and environmental-friendly drive.
Fully hybrid vehicle saves gas and stops the harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere. In addition to this, the full hybrid version shuts itself off during an idle stop. This way, the unnecessary idling emissions are eliminated by the electric motor.
City road is ideal for a full hybrid car to give better mileage. Though the engine and body of hybrid car is very light, the car is very stable. You will never know when your hybrid car has switched over from gas to electric power.
All the positive aspects of hybrid cars have made the automobile industry to think the hybrid way. Many leading manufacturers including Honda, Ford, Lexus, Chevrolet, and Toyota are now offering their hybrid varieties. The latest models are high-powered, fast and sportier. Some manufacturers are even thinking of introducing hybrid SUVs and trucks.
Now you know, why there’s an ever growing demand of hybrid cars. Saves money, saves environment and great to drive!
Tags: Cars, hybrid, mileage
Thu, June 19, 2008 7:30 pm By James Coolridge
 It is good to hear that more and more auto makers are shifting their focus on manufacturing environment friendly vehicles, the popular addition being hybrid vehicles. Porsche has did its piece of work in saving the environment by announcing its hybrid Porsche Panamera, the first 4-door sports model with fuel-efficient full parallel hybrid technology. The hybrid vehicle is expected to make its first appearance in 2009.
The average fuel consumption of Panamera will be less than 9 litres/100 kilometers. The vehicle can be driven in a number of different modes, including electric drive.
The rear-wheel-drive of Porsche Panamera hybrid will offer a choice of two V-8 engines. However, the four-wheel drive system is not expected before 2010. The engine of Panamera will make around 400 hp while the turbocharged version will make about 500 hp. The turbo is expected to accelerate to 62 mph from rest in merely 4.2 seconds. The top speed of the vehicle will be 188 mph.
Tags: Porsche Panamera hybrid
Thu, June 12, 2008 8:16 am By James Coolridge
 Volkswagen revealed its breathtaking Golf TDI Hybrid at the Geneva Motor Show last month. Nobody will stop you owning this car, if you are ready to pay more. So what is the issue if at all it is a bit expensive than other gasoline vehicles? We all love this car because of its features itself, isn’t it? So let us know more about the technical aspects of this awesome car. Read on.
The machine uses a 1.2 liter three-cylinder diesel engine paired with a 26 horsepower electric motor and returns 69 U.S. mpg and 89 g/km of CO2 emissions in the EU combined cycle. VW Golf TDI Hybrid stands up to the needs of the car lovers- it delivers high mileage and low emissions.
The hybrid has a 1.2 liter three-cylinder diesel engine and a 220V electric motor. The electric motor gets the car moving at low speeds, with the 73 horsepower diesel kicking in only when extra oomph is needed (or wanted) and when cruising at highway speeds. The car also can run either in full-electric or full internal combustion mode, according to VW. Power is transferred through a seven-speed DSG transmission to the front wheels. The car also has start/stop capability and regenerative braking.
VW says the Golf TDI Hybrid consumes 3.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which by our math is 71.4 mpg.
Tags: diesel, VW Golf TDI Hybrid, Hybrid Cars, gasoline
Tue, May 27, 2008 8:43 am By James Coolridge
 Hybrid cars were driven only by the techno-geeks celebrities and environmentalists few years ago. Now, things have changed. Hybrid cars are becoming common on the roads. Every other person is spotted driving a hybrid. Thanks to the gas-electric auto technology, which is so appealing that, a large number of people are turning their heads on saving money at the pumps by switching over to hybrid cars. Hybrids have contributed its part in reducing people’s dependency on oil. Moreover, the hybrid version reduces the air pollution by almost 80 to 90 percent.
Now we should seriously think why the taxis and limousines are still based on the traditional fuel. Why can’t the livery fleets, the largest class of public vehicles on city streets, be converted into hybrids?
We know that the limousines are bigger in size and the fuel consumption is more than the ordinary vehicle. The amount of time spent by the limousines on road is also more.
Hence, the limousine industry finds it necessary to be aware of the impact the limousines are having on the environment and the need to reduce the damage caused by them.
As a result, many companies have begun offering chauffeur-driven hybrid livery cars. Now you can book a luxurious limousine service in a hybrid.
The hybrid limousine hire mission aims at offering the executive level chauffeured transportation to reduce the harmful pollutants in the cities and environment. It also aims at reducing people’s dependence on oil. The mission also aims at encouraging the chauffeured transportation industry to make extensive use of natural resources.
Tags: luxury, limousines, natural, resources
Wed, May 21, 2008 12:50 pm By James Coolridge
 Scientists who are dedicated to finding better ways to increase fuel efficiency might have undergone several brainstorming sessions to find the ways to add on to the fuel efficiency. The latest technique which we have come across is hypermiling, which is a method of improving gas mileage and fuel efficiency by altering driving habits.
Hypermiling is mostly applied to hybrid vehicle drivers who apply some techniques. These methods include maintenance of your car which includes oil changes and check on the tire pressure. Another technique includes using cruise control or overdrive whenever you can. You can also keep a check on the fuel efficiency by keeping your speed down and your windows closed.
That was the general methods used by the hybrid vehicle drivers. Now let us come to the special technique of hypermiling which is known as the “pulse and glide” technique. It is a trick that can be used with hybrids to minimize ICE waste. The whole idea is to optimize the acceleration as to reach the optimal threshold of the hybrid engine. At this instance, some vehicles will glide in electric only mode.
To enjoy the gliding experience, first you need to accelerate up to 40. While accelerating, make sure that you don’t accelerate too quickly nor you should use energy from the battery. Then start the gliding, which is the point where you are not taking any energy from the engine at all!
A word of caution for the drivers trying the pulse and glide trick. This techniques is strictly prohibited in high traffic or high speed areas. Not only is it dangerous, but it will be infuriating to your fellow drivers. So don’t do it. Also, if you are in a rush, this may be frustrating.
Tags: fuel efficiency, Hybrid Cars, hypermiling
Tue, May 20, 2008 12:50 pm By James Coolridge
 We don’t have any clue when gasoline prices are going to come down. The hefty bills paid every time we fill our cars with fossil fuels are perhaps making life difficult. The invention of hybrid cars is considered to be the perfect cure for the trouble of fossil fuel driven cars. Well, they may be good solutions as they can run on both gas and batteries without the need for recharging. But, think the other side- can we really afford the costly cure? Well, we should have swelling bank balance to enjoy the luxury of driving the environment- friendly hybrids. You will have to make real savings because the batteries too come expensive which need to be replaced from time to time.
Take for example Honda’s tiny Insight- a light-weight two-seater with limited cargo space and price tag of $21000 is powered by a tiny three-cylinder engine with an occasional assist from batteries that recharge by reclaiming the energy expended when you slow down or brake. But, it is expensive when you consider its size and lack of utility.
We give you another example of Honda’s Civic Hybrid. Though it is a bestseller, it will cost you whopping $22000 though it is not the best! Another option given by the company is the Accord Hybrid, which is best known for its unique twist in the power from its small electric motor primarily to boost performance. But, will you really want to spend as much as $30000 for this Hybrid?
The latest news is that the hybrid pickups from Chevrolet, GMC and Dodge are in the works to hit the market soon.
Do you know that your normal car can be converted to run on more water than gas making it a hybrid? The end product of this is water which is not harmful emissions as what is done by the combustion of fossil fuels? All that being said, do you still want to burden your own economical budget with this luxury? Why should you not consider this option? Think it over…
Tags: hybrid, environment, gasoline, cost, budget
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