Cars

Hybrid Vehicle

Considering the purchase of a hybrid vehicle ?

While relativle new on the market, having been around for less than five years, hybrid vehicle s are none the less making inroads. This trend is not likely to go away what with the ever increasing cost of fuel coupled with rapidly developing technology that is producing better more efficient hybrid vehicle s capable of longer distances and greater speeds.

As of this writing (Nov. 2006) there are several different approaches being taken by the various manufacturers in the creation of their respective hybrid vehicle s.

Honda uses a combination of several different methods to acheive the goal. These include the following.

An Idle-Stop Feature feature that temporarily turns off the engine to save fuel and minimize emissions. A green auto-stop light on the instrument display flashes to indicate when the idle-stop feature is operating. As the hybrid comes to a stop, the idle-stop occurs automatically. Engine restarting occurs automatically, as soon as the brake pedal is released.

Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™) which couples a 1.3-liter, 8-valve, i-VTEC® 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor. Although the engine alone provides sufficient driving performance, when additional power is required, a permanent-magnet electric motor mounted between the engine and transmission provides power assist. The electric motor can propel the car from a stop to speeds up to 35 mph. Together, the motor and engine produce 110 hp @ 6000 rpm, an increase of 17 hp over the previous generation.

Taken as a whole Honda's approach produces a hybrid vehicle that in many ways is better then their non hybrid vehicle s and the additional cost associated with the purchase of a Honda hybrid vehicle is offest over time by reduced fuel consumption via the use of the electric motor.

Toyota's approach to the creation of a hybrid vehicle is different from Hondas in that Toyota opted to create a Hybrid SUV in the Highlander rather than a compact like the Civic. While in many respects similar to the Honda the Highlander has much more utility than would a hybrid compact and like the Honda, by allowing both the gas and electric power units to contribute in full power modes the hybrid variant is not in the least bit anemic with the engine producing 208HP and the electric motor producing 176HP. The end result when blended together feels like a gas engine with a turbo charger. All in all a nice package that is worth a look if you need something bigger than a compact but want a hybrid vehicle .

Looking into the future GM has just signed a multi million dollar contract with a Canadian company that produces Hydrogen power cells and that could dramatically change the hybred vehicle landscape if it proves to be a viable product. Imagine a hybrid vehicle that produces only water vapour out of its tail pipe!

Article Published: Sunday 12th November 2006