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Posts Tagged ‘Hybrid Cars’
Wed, October 29, 2008 5:16 am By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
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 It was in 1905 for the first time an effort was made to use hybrid technology in cars. Energy saving efforts was not the prime focus of that time. But the efforts were to increase the speed from zero to twenty-five miles an hour in ten seconds. And sadly with in time this technology got approval, accelerators had already become a part of cars.
The hybrid technology at that period had few takers. The hybrid energy was used for the first time in US in 1918. Again here the main purpose was speed, not cutting the fuel costs. But serious efforts on introduction of hybrid energy were considered for first time in 1960’s. The United States Congress in 1966 felt the need to cut down air pollution and recommended bills that would boost up the production of electric vehicles. This later led to the production of an advanced battery that would ease the transportation on highways.
Most of the developed countries including Germany and Japan started introducing hybrid cars as the air pollution seemed touching serious level. Most big names like Toyota and Volkswagen started introducing hybrid cars. Toyota was the first car maker to bring out hybrid cars to the public. In 1997, it was marketed solely to Japanese people.
Honda was the first automaker to bring out a hybrid car in the US. The first two-seated hybrid car rolled on US roads in 2000, which was followed by different models.
Ford offered its Escape Hybrid in 2004, which is a SUV. With the popularity for hybrid cars getting increased, almost all big names started bringing out hybrid vehicles into the US market.
Apart from the US, many Asian countries including Japan, Korea and Singapore are promoting hybrid cars by providing tax relief to the owners. With in near future, it is sure that fuel vehicles will become part of the history and hybrid vehicles becoming the complete source of transportation.
Tags: Cars, Honda, Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen, Fuel, Hybrid Cars, Japan, US, Transportation, vehicle, Korea, , Singapore, high ways
Thu, October 2, 2008 2:18 pm By James Coolridge
 With fuel prices reaching soaring height, the demand for hybrid cars are getting higher. A lot more manufacturers brought out different brands into the market. But it was Camry from Toyota which became successful among them. Let us see the features that make Camry one of the largest selling vehicles.
Generally it may seem to be the same Camry Sedan in the first look. But Hybrid definitely differs in some ways. The Hybrid cars run partly by electricity and the rest by gasoline. Camry hybrid’s later models are classified as a “full hybrid” as they could run on gas or on electric energy. Toyota Camry enjoys wide sales in the market. But still efforts are made by Toyota to raise its sales further aiming a larger market share. For this, a massive and research is being done by Toyota. The splendid car has a 40 MPG gas mileage in the city, while on the highway it has 38 MPG gas mileage. It has a four-cylinder engine with gasoline and has a NiMH 245V battery with maximum capacity of about 30 kilowatt or 40 horsepower.
The Toyota Camry has a gasoline engine that could carry about 2.4 liters of fuel while the electric motor is 45-horsepower. With the help of Hybrid Synergy Drive, the engine of this car from the Japanese auto maker remains at a single gear even if the speed is changed. Toyota Camry Hybrid, is seen matching based the acceleration speed of the Toyota V6 Camry. It has a finer acceleration on highway speed which makes it something special from the rest of the competing models.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is an Eco-Friendly car which is known and proven to apply significantly low consumption of fuel. The car helps in cutting down the usage of energy making it comfortable and economically viable. The Camry from Toyota produce the lowest amount of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide which are disastrous.
No wonder, the Toyota Camry has won several awards for its eco-friendly features. The car for the very same reason is adopted by many users around the globe. T is therefore sure that the coming days will see a high rise in the sale of the cars fulfilling the hopes of the Japanese auto giant to garner a huge share in the automobile market.
Tags: Cars, Sedan, mileage, Fuel, Hybrid Cars, gasoline, Japan, automobile, economical, acceleration, Toyota Camry, eco-friendly, market share, carbon monoxide
Mon, August 11, 2008 8:22 am By James Coolridge
 The fuel price hike has definitely affected the automobile market. The soaring price has made users to switch over to hybrid cars. Car makers by foreseeing this shift of taste of drivers have brought out different hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are becoming a hit among the drivers. Thanks to the fuel saving techniques.
Toyota has launched its Camry Hybrid car which seems to have become more popular among the contemporary models. Let us now look at the characteristic features of Toyota Camry hybrid. Although the Toyota Camry hybrid is exactly the same as the previous Camry sedan models in many aspects, this Hybrid models differ in some ways. Yes, at the same time we agree that the Hybrid cars run partly by electricity and the rest by gasoline, making things more positive than ever. However, it also has certain negative impacts. The latest Camry hybrid’s model, such as the 2007 was classified as a “full hybrid” as it could run on gas or on electric energy, depending on the preference of the driver.
The sales of Toyota Camry hybrid are currently remarkably high ensuring Toyota a better share in the market. As per the current specifications of the Toyota Camry Hybrid, we realize that the hybrid is either superior or just within the average level. The Toyota Camry hybrid claims a 40 MPG gas mileage. The latest model runs utilizing a four-cylinder engine that is using gasoline as fuel. The maximum capacity of its NiMH 245V battery is about 30 kilowatt or 40 horsepower, peaking at about 192 horsepower or 140 kilowatts.
The new model launched by Toyota has the capacity to accommodate about 2.4 liters of fuel in its gasoline engine while the electric motor is 45-horsepower. It also has a system that helps the Camry Hybrids’ engine to maintain its efficient power band. It facilitates the continuous variable transmission or CVT the transfer of power to the front wheels.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid, in many ways do match the acceleration speed of the Toyota V6 Camry. It also has a finer acceleration particularly during traffic merges or highway speed, despite being a Hybrid.
Altogether it could be stated that the latest Toyota Camry Hybrid can be your best buddy at roads. So if you are looking for a pal for a long drive around country roads, then you could get no better choice than this model.
Tags: Cars, Sedan, Toyota, driving, mileage, Fuel, Hybrid Cars, acceleration, electric energy
Sun, August 10, 2008 8:10 am By James Coolridge
 Hey what’s this happening to Honda? Are they all set to conquer the entire automobile market? It seems to be so. With the launching of a series of new models, the Japanese auto giant is all set to create panic among the rival auto makers. Just a glance at the new models from the lineage of Honda will make things more clear to you.
Honda Fit: This is meant for the people who were looking for more fuel efficiency. The Honda Fit was introduced to North American not that long ago. It was Honda’s way of providing city dwellers with a fuel efficient commuter that also has plenty of cargo space.
Accord 2008: With the arrival of the all-new 2008 Accord, there is cause for celebration. It is a very practical and unassuming car. For more than three decades, we baby boomers have matured, along with the Honda Accord. The latest Honda model proves that maturity can also mean excellence. Equipped with a V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission, and plenty of extras the Accord actually becomes fun to drive.
Honda CR-Z: With the introduction of the all new CR-Z concept car, Honda is pushing the limits on bringing true sport and the latest technology together. This new breed of vehicle is poised to set Honda apart from it’s competitors in the Hybrid market. The CR-Z is a lightweight sports car, indicating that it will have the performance to backup its sporty looks. It comes with an interior design of the CR-Z and has a look and feel of a Hi-tech and Sporty vehicle, which has been achieved by a very futuristic instrument panel.
Honda SUT: Next we see the Honda SUT Concept which is a next-generation truck concept that takes a clean slate approach to the light-duty truck segment. It combines a roomy and practical SUV-style interior and a pickup-style cargo bed with traditional Honda strengths. This includes refined styling, superior ergonomics, innovative design and world-class build quality.
Honda aims the truck market which is evolving to meet the changing tastes of a new generation of truck buyers. This model owns a sophisticated look in a sporty and socially responsible package with Honda durability, quality and reliability.
Honda FCV: Honda has decided to bring the exciting “green” cars into production. The FCX hydrogen fuel cell car and a lightweight, hybrid sports car will both be built - with a production version of the FCX making its debut next month. The all-new FCV will be marketed to fleet and retail customers in both the U.S. and Japan. It assures all creature comforts and safety. This will provide performance equivalent to most modern day sedans while producing zero emissions other than water and heat.
Now with this list of new cars, the Honda customers have a lot to look forward to. Honda continues to look at the future of vehicle engineering for a whole new generation of drivers. Are you a Honda fan; holy god, then now it’s your time to be one!
Tags: Cars, Honda, Fuel, Hybrid Cars, Japan, US, Honda Accord, honda CR-Z, truck
Wed, July 16, 2008 10:09 am By James Coolridge
 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
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
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 6, 2008 11:51 am By Thomas Dillner
 Hybrid cars can perhaps turn the entire scene of vehicle sales. For many car owners, the higher price of hybrid vehicles as compared to traditional cars stops them from buying the hybrid ones. While many others think that tax breaks and the saving money on gas consumption are good reasons to switch over to hybrid versions. The environmental- friendly nature of hybrid cars is in fact the reason why they score more on their gasoline counterparts. The following are the reasons why hybrid proves to be beneficial for you and the whole planet:
Lower Emissions: Hybrids rely on electricity for a portion of their power output and that is why they have better mileage than the traditional gasoline versions. Using less gas results in less chemical emissions such as dioxide and nitrogen oxide.
Health matters: The human body is now fully vulnerable to various health issues because, the use of gasoline has already contributed to breathing large amounts of carbon dioxide and other poisonous chemicals released into the atmosphere.
Money matters: People are taking a step backwards in choosing hybrid cars because of the high cost of hybrid versions. Of course, everybody wants to save as much dollars as they can. But, you are actually paying heavier price by filling your cars with gasoline. Not to mention the health hazards caused by the traditional fuel.
Thanks to the scientists who have done their job of finding an alternate way to save the world from the harmful effects caused by the emissions of gasoline. Now it is in our hands whether we want to continue using gasoline or rely on hybrid powered cars.
Tags: Hybrid Cars, gasoline, price rise, emissions
Fri, May 2, 2008 11:43 am By Thomas Dillner
 The gasoline prices are skyrocketing and it is time we switched over to other options. What about a hybrid car? Sounds a cool option, isn’t it? Well, I am not sure how many of you will be able to afford to buy a brand new hybrid car. So what? You have a better option- convert your car into a hybrid one! How? Read on to get the answer.
One of processes to is electrolysis that is, using oil and water to power your car. This makes a gas that yields three times the energy compared to gas alone. Search for some common tools available in the hardware stores for household purposes.
An average person can convert an ordinary car into a hybrid version by following the user-friendly and detailed step-by-step instructions found on the Internet in the form of manuals and e-books.
If you are successful in making your car into a partly water powered hybrid, you can improve gas mileage. The gears will also shift smoother. This version also reduces the amount of noise coming from your engine. It actually cleans your engine every time you drive your car.
What’s more? The hybrid version is proved to be environment- friendlier than when only gas is used. The hybrid version allows lesser gas to be emitted into the environment.
So why should you literally burn your money in gasoline with ever-soaring prices? If you can’t afford a brand new hybrid version, at least convert your car into a hybrid one so that you don’t empty much of your hard earned money filling gasoline in your car.
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