This is the Hybrid Cars and Hybrid Vehicle Directory of All Sites Sorted, and is a subsection of the Renewable Energy Online Directory.
Top 5 reasons to buy Hybrid Cars:
5. Resale potential
4. Reduce oil dependency
3. Save money on gasoline
2. Save the Earth
1. More fun!
Hybrids include Hybrid cars, Hybrid SUVs, Hybrid trains and other hybrid vehicles and typically have an on-board electric generator and battery array to store generated electricity, in addition to an internal combustion engine – whether gasoline powered or diesel powered. In hybrids, the generator runs on otherwise wasted energy released by the engine, or via braking. This electricity in turn drives an electric motor which provides power assist and acceleration at low speeds. All this can lead to a substantial reduction in fuel consumption, especially so in stop and go city driving. Because a lot of the fuel saving is achieved at low speeds and in braking, hybrid cars tend to be rated with higher mpg (miles per gallon) in city driving as opposed to highway driving – the opposite of traditional cars.
Technically speaking, hybrid cars are not a form of energy, much less renewable energy - since they consume gasoline or diesel fuel. However, they do generate electricity in a renewable fashion – which is why we decided to include hybrids in our renewable energy directory. In reality, hybrids present the most economically feasible way to harness renewable energy otherwise wasted in traditional vehicles – leading to significant reduction in fossil fuel consumption. Hybrid cars provide a double benefit of reducing dependency on unstable suppliers of crude oil, while addressing environmental concerns.
Hybrid car engines include a rechargeable energy storage system ("RESS"), which includes the electric generator and batteries. They also have a fueled power source (gas engine or diesel engine). Thus, hybrid cars sometimes are referred to as hybrid-electric vehicles (“HEV”) to refer to the generation of electricity. The noticeable increase in fuel efficiency has led to rapid consumer acceptance of hybrids, leading some auto makers to focus on hybrids as an important auto segment of the future.
Typically hybrids capture the kinetic energy released as the hybrid car brakes. This is known as regenerative braking, where the energy otherwise released as heat in the car brakes (or SUVs, buses or trucks of course) is utilized to run the electric generator instead, and the electricity is stored in the battery or batteries. Energy otherwise wasted as heat by the brakes is thereby captured as useful electricity to power the electric motor. Some hybrids also use other fuel savings techniques, such as shutting down the car engine at idle or slow speeds, and use the electric engine at low speeds, only turning on the gasoline (or diesel) powered engine at higher speeds, leading to further fuel saving.
The adoption of hybrid technologies has not been uniform among automakers. For example, Toyota is believe to have devoted R&D resources to development and refinement of hybrid vehicle engines – resulting in a technological and price advantage. Other auto makers have followed the lead of Toyota. However, the U.S. makers, such as Ford, General Motors (GM) and Chrysler (Daimler) are catching up now giving Toyota especially, and other Japanese-based auto makers early leadership in hybrid cars, although the gap has been narrowing. Also the later comers to the hybrid market include other leading European and Korean makers, like Daimler, Volkswagen, Renault, Fiat, Porsche, Volvo, Saab, Hyundai and Daewoo. Honda and Nissan have introduced hybrid cars as well. Some have said that Toyota’s early market leadership in hybrids has led to its emergence as the number one global auto maker.
Hybrid vehicles can utilize any of the alternative engine fuels. For example huge savings in crude oil consumption can be achieved by use of an ethanol – hybrid vehicle. Likewise diesel and biodiesel powered hybrid cars achieve significant fuel consumption savings. Gasoline powered hybrid vehicles also achieve substantial efficiencies. All leading to reduced petroleum consumption, reducing dependence on unstable or often hostile suppliers of crude oil an at the same time reducing the release of environmental pollutants, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Powering your car can be a breeze The Herald-Times (subscription), IN - 2 hours ago One of the attractions of pairing wind energy and plug-in hybrid cars is that it would not require new infrastructure. Indeed, a study by Pacific Northwest ...
Toyota's iQ — a smart move in microcar stakes The Japan Times, Japan - 6 hours ago The focus of research and development for cars of the future spans a number of alternative energies, such as electric, hybrid (cars with both a gasoline ...
'Infrastructure hurdles delaying Prius launch' Business Standard, India - 11 hours ago It is the best-selling hybrid car in the US with sales likely to touch 200000 units a year. Bangalore-based Toyota Kirloskar Motor is studying the Indian ...
Top 10-quoted hybrid cars in 2008 Canadian Underwriter, Canada - Sep 5, 2008 Kanetix.ca has released the top 10 most popular hybrids quoted for 2008, as determined by auto insurance quotes sought on the site. ...
Toyota supplier for Hybrid cars on the brink of collapse The Australian, Australia - Sep 5, 2008 A CAR component manufacturer with a contract to supply parts for the new hybrid Toyota Camry is on the brink of collapse with more than 100 jobs at risk. ...
Green Hybrid: The interactive hybrid cars resource. Hybrid discussion forums, articles & tips, the Real Hybrid Mileage Database and hybrid car image gallery. http://www.greenhybrid.com/ [Read more]
Compare Hybrid Cars at Fuel Economy. gov. Hybrid Cars of various models compared in features and fuel consumption ratings. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs_cars.shtml [Read more]
A resource about hybrid cars, hybrid SUVs and Hybrid trucks with information on cars, SUV s, pickups, heavy-duty, utility, refuse and delivery vehicles. http://www.hybrid-vehicles.net [Read more]
Hybrid Car Information and Resources: Information for consumers looking to become more educated regarding hybrids and the hybrid car market. http://www.hybrid-car.org/ [Read more]
Hybrid cars- electric vehicles: Hybrid cars also known as hybrid electric cars are the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market today. Learn how much you can save with these hybrid cars at all about hybrid cars.com http://www.allabouthybridcars.com/ [Read more]
The Toyota Highlander hybrid is a smooth riding vehicle for an SUV. A Highlander is available with Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive®. http://www.toyota.com/highlander/index.html [Read more]
The new gas-electric hybrid cars, current news about the hybrid car, future trends and hybrid cars under development. http://eartheasy.com/live_hybrid_cars.htm [Read more]
How Stuff Works: Hybrid cars - Hybrid cars address the problem of high gas prices and the greenhouse effect. Compare hybrid cars and gasoline vs. electric power. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm [Read more]
Ford Vehicles: Ford Escape Hybrid. View and learn about the Ford Escape Hybrid - a hybrid that is 100% SUV too. http://www.fordvehicles.com/escapehybrid/ [Read more]
exus Hybrid Car and SUV Information: Learn more about the luxury hybrid, Lexus Hybrid Drive & Photo Gallery. Vehicle Information & Lexus Hybrid Drive information. http://www.lexus.com/hybriddrive/ [Read more]
