Kevin Harcourt – Center for Alternative Fuels

By: John Parks
In the effort to go green, a term we hear quite often is "hybrid cars". What are hybrid cars, and what makes the purchase of one desirable in the effort to conserve energy? For the less than savvy vehicle shopper or the inquisitive learner, a small amount of research can answer many questions.

A hybrid vehicle is defined as any vehicle that uses two or more separate types of energy to propel the vehicle. The basic operating truth of a hybrid vehicle is that t [removed][removed] he gasoline engine receives assistance from another source for extra power, which allows the engine to run with less gasoline.

Primitive types of hybrid vehicles were experimented with for many years before they actually became a viable means of transportation. Today almost every major car maker is producing its own version of the hybrid. Hybrids and SUVs are offered at most dealerships. There are government-offered tax incentives and dealership rebates to make the purchase of a hybrid car or SUV more appealing to those who are undecided as to the type of vehicle they may purchase.

The purchase price of a hybrid or SUV can vary greatly, depending upon the maker and the degree of luxury. Basic models begin at around $20,000, with the price of the luxury SUV going well over $100,000. Many hybrid car owners agree that the money they save in fuel more than makes up for the minimal added cost of purchasing a hybrid. Reports show that the fuel efficiency of the hybrid car is around twice that of a comparable conventional automobile.

Once you have decided to purchase a hybrid vehicle, what are some other things to consider? What are the differences in hybrid cars and SUVs, and what makes them stand apart? There are several variations of the hybrid operating system.

In the conventional hybrid car and SUV, gasoline is converted to energy by the engine and the motor, and then stored in the batteries, to be used during the operation of the vehicle. Braking converts energy to electricity and stores in it the batteries. When the car is traveling very slowly, or stopped, the battery takes over and the engine is at rest.

Another type of hybrid is the Plug-in. These are similar to the conventional hybrids in that both use gasoline engines and electric motors. Plug-ins use large battery packs, which are recharged by connecting to household electricity. Plug-in cars are different from conventional hybrids in that they may be driven distances up to 40 miles, without using gasoline. In short, Plug-in hybrid cars have the same benefits of conventional hybrids, but have the longer driving range of conventional non-hybrid vehicles.

The simplest hybrid is the Start Stop type. These vehicles have engine controls, which shut off the engine when the car slows down or stops. When the driver accelerates, the batteries power the starter motor, which quickly switches on the engine. This is the lowest cost hybrid alternative.

Whatever the type, hybrid cars and SUVs are environmentally wise purchases. They continue to become more popular as we continue in our quest to go green.

For more information on hybrid vehicles, visit http://hybridawd.com.