Hybrid Cars Explained

Lately, there's been a lot of attention on being friendly to the environment and saving money on gas. As we all know, gas prices are soaring for reasons we really don't understand. It's impractical to purchase a Hummer in this kind of situation. In fact, I saw a billboard here in San Antonio that read: Actually, the world DID need another SUV.

Um...actually, we don't.

So there's a solution. It's a little gem of a secret that's been in the minds' clockwork since 1905. We're talking about the Hybrid car. The idea was to combine the great power of electricity with the gas engine. In 1905, gas was so cheap that the idea didn't really take root. Around the hippy-friendly era, gas prices started to rise and become a problem. It was evident that something was to be done because this problem was only going to get worst.

If you have no idea what a hybrid car is, we need to begin with the basics. A hybrid car has two motors. One motor is electric, the other is gasoline powered. Hybrids have a special system installed that transforms 'braking' energy into potential energy that can by used by the car. What is braking energy, you ask? When you hit the brakes on the car (say...to dampen the spirits of a tailgater, for example), the friction causes the car's kinetic energy to be transformed into heat. Approximately thirty percent of engine output is lost due to the braking process during city driving. Hybrids have something that is called 'regenerative braking'. In essence, the car uses its stored momentum to generate electricity. This can be very useful in situations that call for spending precious time at traffic. At least you wouldn't be wasting precious gas in the process.

Some people may think that a car having two motors is pretty ridiculous and unnecessary. But it makes perfect sense. During idling, electric motors use no energy. They simply turn off while the other motor kicks in. This effect, in turn, saves gas on lower speeds. When driving at higher speeds, gas motors deliver more power per motor weight. What this means to you is this: during city traffic, the electric motor is extremely useful and doesn't deliver pollutants into the air. During highway traffic, the good ol' gas motor is the best bet and it helps the car gain more speed. The gasoline engine in a hybrid car is much smaller than the one in a regular car, which surprisingly makes it more efficient. Most cars require a larger engine to generate enough power to accelerate the car in a short amount of time. In the small engine of a hybrid, the efficiency is greatly improved by using lighter, smaller parts, by reducing the amount of cylinders, and by operating the engine closer to its maximum load. Since bigger engines have more cylinders, each cylinder uses fuel every time the engine fires, even if the car isn't moving.

So...why get a hybrid? Hybrids are the most gas-efficient of them all. They get around 48-60 miles per gallon. The electric engine keeps the environment as free from pollution as it can, and while the gas engine is in use, it can recharge the electric engine until you have to utilize it again. The motors and batteries in these cars do not require maintenance over the life of the vehicle. The batteries of a hybrid will need to be replaced eventually, but not for another 80,000 - 100,000 miles. (Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to plug in a hybrid car!) The engine doesn't require special maintenance that a standard car wouldn't require. Because hybrids have regenerative braking, brake pads may even last longer. To offset problems that "non-believers" may foreshadow, makers are offering strong guarantees: The Honda Insight has an eight-year/80,000-mile warranty on most of the power train, including batteries, and a three-year/36,000-mile warranty on the rest of the car. The Toyota Prius has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on the battery and hybrid systems and a three-year/36,000-mile warranty on everything else. And just because a hybrid seems smaller, it doesn't mean it's necessarily weaker! Some of the new hybrids coming out have 250-400 horsepower...which is nothing to sneeze at.

Of course, as we all know, there is no such thing as perfect. What negative factors could a hybrid possibly have? Well, there are a few...I'm sorry to say! All this technology comes at a price. These cars range from $20,000 - $25,000...not exactly pocket change. Also, there are two engines, which may mean double the repairs as far as engine problems and breakdowns go. Since the car has these added complexities than a standard car, repairs may be more expensive, and your hybrid may spend more time in the shop than, say, a Plymouth Neon. If you do a lot of your driving on the highway, a hybrid car may not end up paying off in the long run, because it will be using the gas motor most of the time, as we already know. Much of the fuel efficiency of hybrids is derived from improvements in the cars overall aerodynamics, weight reduction, and smaller gas engine. In reality, any car will get better mileage by simply reducing size of the gas engine. But since many young folk out there are interested in fast cars with big engines that make a lot of noise, gas engines in standard cars remain substantially larger than the gas engine of a hybrid. Then, there's the "Prius blind spot." The hatchback design limits the driver's visibility through the rear window. That makes some people crazy. And not as importantly, some people find the hybrid cars very ugly and not as "cool" looking. Other people don't find it too big of a deal. But with everything, as you can see, there are a few drawbacks to this new technology.

If you are thinking about buying a hybrid, ask yourself these questions? Am I really ready to spend 20,000 - 25,000 dollars on a car? How much do I care about the environment and pollutants from standard cars that are emitted into the air daily? Are the savings in gas worth the potential problems and costs? Do you drive mostly on highways, or is most of your driving in the city? Think about what your ultimate goal is before buying a hybrid.

The "different" look of the Prius definitely sends a message, which can be interpreted in many ways. For some, it declares that we must take steps to reduce our unexplained thirst for oil-with all its negative consequences in regards to the environment and politics. (This could be mistaken for a Liberal view, but that's not necessarily true in all instances!) Some people interpret the Prius like a middle-finger-on-wheels....specifically aimed at Hummers, Suburbans, Escalades, all SUV's, and the like. For others, the Prius's message is smug: "Aren't I special? Don't I know better?" And if you're anything like me, these reasons alone are enough to make you want to purchase a spanking brand new Hybrid right off the lot. If I could anger a Hummer simply by driving a vehicle that portrays my concern with the environment and my awareness of the high gas prices...my daily commute, no matter how mundane, will be completely worth it...even if there's bad music playing on the radio and $25,000 missing from my bank account.