Top Eco-Friendly Cars of Last Decade: Honda Has Insight, Toyota Has P.R

One of the major auto movements of the last decade is the so-called "green wave" of hybrid cars that started crashing on American shores in 2000. "Honda" actually led the way, although Toyota's far better PR machine would have you think the Prius was the first hybrid on the road.

First, second or third really doesn't matter here; what does matter is the fact that the auto industry recognized the face that gasoline was a finite resource and it they would have to help stretch the earth's dwindling supplies of hydrocarbon fuels until another portable fuel source that gad the same capability as gasoline could be found.

Meantime, thanks to advances in battery technology; regenerative braking, intelligent motor control systems, hybrids offered the best hope in the last 10 years, led by, believe it or not, Honda.

Honda Insight

The first to market in late 1999 as a 2000, the Insight coupe was the first true hybrid available for sale. A lightweight, its body panels were made of composite materials to keep the weight down. Streamlined, it was powered primarily by a 14 kWh electric motor (in that range) that was charged by a three-cylinder 1-liter engine. Engine control was the first generation Intelligent Motor Assist control module. It also used the "flywheel effect" that takes energy usually dissipated as heat by braking and turns back into usable energy to help recharge the electric motor. This is known as "regenerative braking." Due to its limited availability, the Insight became more of a cult car during its first six-year run that ended in 2006 and resume this year.

Toyota Prius

Although "Prius" would have the world believe it was the first to market with a hybrid, it was actually the second with its 2002 Prius, based on the Echo chassis. Powered by about the same-sized electric motor, the Prius hybrid used a 1.3-liter four to charge its 144-volt battery pack, the Prius used an intelligent motor management system and regenerative braking to maintain the charge in its battery pack. The key difference between the Prius and the Insight was the Prius was a four- to give-passenger sedan, while the Inside was a two-place hatchback. The Prius was to become more streamlined and a hatchback as it approached 2010 as was the Insight.

Honda Civic Hybrid

Powered by a 1.4-liter four, the "Civic Hybrid" used the same power system as its stablemate, the Insight. The battery technology was still NiMH and it was available as a sedan that could seat four or five. The Civic Hybrid used the same essential motor control system as the Insight but was larger and its mileage was not as high as the Insight's 41 mpg. Instead, its highway mileage was about 32 and its around-town mileage about 36. Why was there a difference? The answer is simple: around town your Civic relied primarily on the battery system with the engine cutting in only to charge and if you were in heavy traffic, then you could take advantage of the "regenerative braking" for still more charge. On the highway, on the other hand, the electric motor was cranking as was the gasoline engine that was not only charging the electric motor but also adding its own power to the driveline so that the Hybrid could maintain highway speeds, thus the poorer highway mileage.

Ford Escape Hybrid
Although little noted, Ford has been one of the leaders in electric technology with its "Escape Hybrid",. A late model, the Escape relied on LI batteries, rather than the more standard NiMH (Nickel/Metal Hydride) which have a better specific power ratio. Available as an XL or an XEL, the Escape Hybrid was the first SUV to use hybrid technology to stretch fuel economy.

Ford Fusion Hybrid

A mid-sized, the "Fusion Hybrid" was another of the later generation hybrids to use LI (lithium ion) batteries. It was a mid-sized so it offered more interior space and while its acceleration was leisurely, it did provide fuel savings. While it was little known, it also put Ford into the forefront of hybrid technology.

Others

There were some other notable vehicles that we will cover elsewhere, however, GMC is right now testing fleet of hydrogen-powered SUVs, while Chevy is readying the release of its all-electric Volt.