What is a Hybrid Car?
With the tremendous result in the Ford Fusion 1000 mile challenge, The Ford Fusion Hybrid actually went 1,445 miles on one tank of gas, averaging an amazing 81.5 MPG. The question everyone keeps asking me is, “Robby what’s a Hybrid?”
Most cars today are propelled by an internal combustion engine either gas or diesel powered. Other cars in the past like the, GM, EV1 produced between 1996 and 1999 were electric cars propelled exclusively by an electric motor, similar to a giant slot car. Both have advantages and disadvantages. So like Hannah Montana, automotive engineers were seeking “the best of both worlds” and combined an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and thus the Hybrid.
For an even more efficient use of energy Hybrids also feature braking systems that use electrical generators to provide braking friction, this produces electricity to recharge the batteries, sometimes called regenerative braking or kinetic braking.
The advantage of the electric motors is significant, more torque, (twisting power) at lower speeds with no need to idle. No emissions from the motors themselves. More efficient use of energy, gas engines only utilize very little of the available energy. No need for a transmission, it can vary revolutions with no loss in horse power. Seems like electric is the way to go and it is for about 40 miles and then your batteries are dead and it takes 6 hours to re-charge. The other major issue is expense; electrics and their batteries are currently very expensive and would pay for years and years of gas expense, not to mention the short range of the electric.
One current solution is the modern hybrid, running on both gas and electricity. Most Hybrids; Honda, Toyota and Ford use a parallel technology meaning both the Gas Engine and the electric motor propel the car with the more city efficient electric at slower speeds and the gas engine kicking in and driving both the car and generators charging the batteries at highway speeds. However, if GM can get going, the parallel hybrid technology will soon not be the only game in town.
Enter the Chevy Volt and the series hybrid technolgy or perhaps some would call a plug in hybrid. Unlike the parallel technology this vehicle is propelled exclusively by the electric motor, but it also has gas engine that when running generates electricity to charge the batteries. It also can be plugged in to charge it’s batteries and after 6 hours of charge it will provide a gas free experience for the first 40 miles.
The issue at the end of the day is what is most efficient in the use of your money, (gas/verses initial cost), the environment and long term maintenance. There are no easy answers if you are in the market for a new car and can afford, (in other words have the cash to buy with no debt) to buy gas, hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Here is your home work assignment.
How many miles do you drive a day?
Do you have solar generators at home to charge your plug-in?
What will the resale value of the proposed vehicle be if you trade often?
Where will you get it serviced and what will they charge you?
How much Tax credit does the manufacturer of the model you want still have available? (They vary based on past sales)
How green do you want to be?
For most of us Good, “Old Red” my 1995 Dodge Dakota is the financial choice; 274,000 miles still going strong 25MPG, low maintenance…BEST OF ALL NO MONTHLY PAYMENTS
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