Hybrid Cars; Whats The Big Deal?

Whats The Big Deal About Hybrid Cars?
By Steven H. Longoria

As we all become more environmentally conscious, efforts are being made worldwide to reduce the pollution caused by the cars you drive, the trucks that deliver the goods to your favorite stores, your kids' school buses.

You've probably seen newspaper articles and TV news reports on hybrid cars. But what exactly are hybrid cars?

Hybrid electric vehicles combine smaller gas engines with electric motors powered by a battery system that charges as the gas engine operates. This powertrain combination provides significantly improved gas mileage as well as dramatically reduced CO2 emissions. In these days of $3 gas and global warming, that's no small improvement.

If you regularly drive in an urban area, hybrid vehicles are particularly cost-effective as you can drive almost completely on electric power, which obviously saves gas dollars as well as the environment. This is the exact opposite of traditional gas cars that tend to get better mileage on the highway than driving in more stop-and-go city traffic. Take into consideration the type of driving you most frequently do when considering a hybrid.

Interestingly, when a hybrid car is running on electric power, particularly at low speeds such as in the city, they are practically silent, reducing noise pollution as well as air pollution. This means drivers of hybrids have to be more careful as pedestrians have a hard time hearing them coming...and being a more attentive driver is a positive thing.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that not all hybrids are created equal. For example, should you need a larger family vehicle, such as an SUV, a hybrid SUV very likely will not be as fuel efficient as a standard SUV. While this will surely change in the future, don't be fooled into thinking that just any hybrid is going to be better.

In addition, hybrid cars are definitely more expensive than "regular" vehicles. While the savings in gas mileage will help offset the higher purchase price, particularly if gas prices remain high, if you are thinking about buying a hybrid simply to "save money" you might find yourself unpleasantly surprised if the car does not meet your other needs.

On the other hand, if your major concern is the environment, the extra cost of a hybrid vehicle can be well worth it.


Steve Longoria writes on the growing Alternative Fuel Vehicles market, encouraging people to adopt greener fuels and, ultimately, to help people save money. For more info on Biofuel Vehicles visit EZAlternativeFuelVehicles.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_H._Longoria
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Electric Hybrid Aptera #1 Car Of The Future

The #1 Car of the Future
By Adrienne Markovic

Gas prices are up and rising. Human overindulgence and waste are escalating as the population continues to grow. Recently the clever people at Aptera have come up with a solution to at least one out of two of these issues with their futuristic ride. Just looking at the Aptera one would think that it is some far-out concept car millennia away from the production line and more apt to be in a live action movie of the Jetson's. The Aptera is taking the auto industry's talk about a more efficient car and putting into action.

The company's mission statement is "to make the most fuel-efficient vehicle the world has ever seen, and to make it stylish, incredible safe, and fun to drive". (Aptera.com 2008) Aptera began their mission five years ago and, in record speed, have two models of car ready for the production line this year. The Typ-1 is currently taking pre-orders now. Aptera currently comes in two versions, the hybrid and the all-electric. The electric only will cost $26,900 and the hybrid will cost $29,900. The Aptera will only be available in the state of California initially. This is because the only Aptera service centers are only in California currently.

The Aptera is a three-wheeled vehicle that looks like a bubble. This body was engineered to eliminate as much drag as possible. The most revolutionary aspect of the car is the performance. This is no mere glorified golf cart. This car can go up to 90 mph and can go from 0-60 in ten seconds. The battery can be charged in 2-4 hours or overnight at the approximate cost of $1 to $2. Perhaps the best thing about this car is that it gets 300 miles per gallon. The efficiency is the car 's major selling points, but the perks do not end there.

It is not just a car for those in the population under 5'. This car can comfortably fit someone up to 6'1". What's even better is that because this car is has three wheels, it is allowed to go in the HOV lanes as a single occupancy vehicle, just like motorcycles. However, you do not need a special license to drive as you would with a motorcycle because it is an enclosed vehicle. It is also equipped with all the modern conveniences such as a CD/MP3 player and a touch screen navigation system. It has a RFID keyless ignition just like the latest and greatest luxury cars on the market today too.

Aptera is harnessing the future and setting the bar very high for automakers everywhere. The Aptera is not only efficient but has all the bells and whistles and creature comforts of their gasoline counterparts. Aptera means wingless flight in Greek. The Aptera is so far advanced it looks like flying is the only thing Aptera cannot do... yet.

http://www.aptera.com/

Adrienne Markovic | Marketing
Appeal Media Interactive Studios, LLC.
http://www.appealmedia.com
In the Heart of the Gaslamp!
311 4th Av. Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92101
(619)615.0707

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrienne_Markovic
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Toyota Detroit Vehicles Pursuit Of Hybrid Synergy Drive Vehicles

Toyota Detroit Vehicles Pursuit Of The Hybrid Synergy Drive Vehicles
By Ann Knapp

Hybrid cars are fast becoming more and more popular due to the rising fuel costs and the prices of hybrid cars are becoming more and more affordable. The performances of hybrid cars are also comparable to diesel/petrol cars so there is no reason not to get it.

Major car manufacturers have made claims that the hybrids are the vehicles of the future. This is due to the demand that people are now making as a way of negotiating the overpriced gas prices that have risen steadily over the past few years. The hybrid vehicle is certainly the solution that many people have been searching.

The reason why hybrid cars save fuel is because the car is not permanently running on petrol. There are times when the car is powered by the electricity from the batteries. This is the reason why the consumption of gasoline is dramatically lowered thus reducing the petrol bills of the owner.

The Toyota Prius hybrid car is my top pick because it offers the best performance for the price you get. It cost around $19,000 which is the cheapest out of the three. It has more horsepower at 110 hp and can do 60 city mpg and 51 highway mpg. It is a family sized car which can hold 5 people quite comfortably with some space left in the trunk. It also get a 4.5 score for its crash test rating. For price and performance, you can't beat the Toyota Prius.

Lets take a closer look at the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive vehicles.

Toyotas HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE is the new type of power train that combines the strong attributes of two kinds of power sources: the electric motors and the gas/petrol engine. HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE delivers world class performances in terms of the fuel efficiency, low emissions, drive ability and quietness desired of cars today.

The HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE power unit integrates the strong elements of an electric motors and a gas/petrol engine. It is not merely a package that has an electric motor and a gas/petrol engine on board. Toyota applied cutting edge technologies based on our latest research to integrate the dual power sources in the most ideal way.

There are other models called hybrid vehicles in existence, but Toyota is fully confident that our HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE is the most advanced hybrid powertrain in the world. In fact, HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE is one of the very few systems in the world in 2005 that fully complies with the UNs definition of a hybrid vehicle.

At least two different energy converters and two different energy storage systems

In 2003, the UN defined a hybrid vehicle as follows: A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle with at least two different energy converters and two different energy storage systems (on-board the vehicle) for the purpose of vehicle propulsion.

HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE carries a gas/petrol engine and electric motors as energy converters and a gas/petrol tank and battery as storage systems, thus satisfying the UN definition.

There are several ways in which electric motors and a gas/petrol engine can be combined. HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE uses what is called a Series Parallel Hybrid System. This is an ideal combination of the "Series Hybrid System" that Toyota has been developing and the "Parallel Hybrid System", which has a different approach. HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE takes the best of what each system has to offer and integrated them into a single system, the best of both.
By adopting the Series Parallel Hybrid System and incorporating cutting edge technologies, Toyota has improved and developed the powertrain, electricity generation and control systems. As a result, we are offering many benefits never before possible with a conventional powertrain.

HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE makes intelligent selective use of its electric motors and gas/petrol engine to deliver fuel efficiency comparable to cars of one class smaller in engine displacement/body size, and at the same time the power comparable to cars one class larger. HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE delivers the highest level of fuel efficiency for cars of the same-size engine displacement.

Although HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE delivers outstanding fuel efficiency, it also offers driving performance, the original appeal of cars. In particular, the seamless acceleration, powerful take off and overtaking acceleration and undiminishing G-force are new driving sensations which can only be experienced with a hybrid car.

HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE pursued outstanding fuel efficiency with the goal to reduce CO2 emissions, and also realized a significant reduction in emissions of other substances in its exhaust gas.

For example, Prius not only complies with the worlds most stringent regulation, AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) Regulation of the State of California of the USA, but it also complies with EURO-IV regulation implemented in EU from 2005. Highlander Hybrid has also been certified SULEV compatible, meeting the most stringent of California's automobile exhaust emissions regulations LEV II.

All the models equipped with HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE, including the two models mentioned above, have cleared the stringent exhaust gas regulations enforced in various countries of the world.

Quiet running is one of the benefits of electric motors powered HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE — for instance, early in the morning or late at night through a residential area. You can even move quietly in and out of a parking garage, where sound is often amplified.

One example is our Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) that was released on a limited distribution basis in Japan and the U.S.A. in 2002. It employs a FUEL CELL, in which electricity is produced by allowing hydrogen and oxygen to react chemically. We delivered a very clean car that only exhausts water.

Hybrid technology is a universal technology. It aims to achieve optimal total energy efficiency by optimal management of the combination of two or more of viable powertrains available at the time.

It holds endless potential that extends to the following generations, far into the future. Our goal is to take hybrid technology to the next phase of its evolutionary progress and to disseminate it throughout the world.

If you are looking for Toyota Hybrid vehicles within the Toyota Detroit Michigan market you can find them at Rinke Toyota. Rinke Toyota is the number one volume Toyota dealer in Michigan. The new hybrids such as the Toyota Prius Hybrid, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, you will find them at Rinke Toyota.

Toyota Detroit Michigan customers now have an online showroom built with Toyota Detroit Michigan shoppers in mind. Rinke Toyota is the number one volume Michigan Toyota Dealer. You can now use the Rinke Toyota website to provide Michigan Toyota shoppers and beyond the benefit of exclusive Internet specials, secure online financing from the comfort of your home or office and all the details you need on the entire Toyota line up. When it comes to great deals and treatment from a Toyota Detroit Michigan dealership nobody can like Rinke Toyota can.

Michigan Toyota customers now have an online showroom that was built with the Michigan Toyota shoppers in mind. Rinke Toyota understands that Michiganers look to the internet for information, discounts and to save time. For that reason Rinke Toyota now utilizes our website to provide Michigan Toyota shoppers and beyond the benefit of exclusive Internet specials, secure online financing from the comfort of your home or office and all the details you need on the entire Toyota line up. http://www.rinketoyota.com
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IRS Updates; Hybrid Car Tax Credits Following Industry Audit

IRS Updates: Hybrid Tax Credits Following Industry Audit
Ezine Author: Richard Chapo

The Energy Act of 2005 created major tax credit incentives for people purchasing hybrid vehicles. The IRS has recently concluded the quarterly review of manufacturers and issued tax credit status.

IRS Updates Hybrid Tax Credits Following Industry Audit

As part of the Energy Act of 2005, the federal government took a major step towards promoting the use of hybrid vehicles. In simple terms, it converted the tax deduction for purchasing a hybrid vehicle into a tax credit. This change was remarkable because a tax credit is very valuable because it is a reduction from the actual amount of tax you owe, not your gross income. Given the fact the tax credit could be over $3,000 for some models, this was a major boon for hybrid car sales!

Alas, the hybrid tax credits were not set in concrete in the tax code. Instead, they are known as phase out credits. In this case, the amount of the tax credit is first set by the IRS after a review of the car model in question. Each quarter, the IRS then totals all of the hybrid sales by manufacturer. Once the total sales reach certain milestones, the tax credit amount is reduced by a percentage. Eventually, the credits are completely phased out and the relevant automobile executives openly weep.

The magic sales threshold for hybrid manufacturers is 60,000 cars sold. Once a manufacturer hits this level, the credits phase out in a labored manner as is typical with taxes. Once the 60,001 car is sold, you still have until the end of the next quarter to buy and claim the full tax credit. Once that date is passed, you can still claim a credit for a new purchase, but at a rate of half the credit amount originally assigned by the IRS so long as you buy during the next two calendar quarters. After those dates pass, the credit is reduced to 25 percent of the original amount for two more credits. Thereafter, it is eliminated completely. Nice and simple, eh?

The IRS recently completed the quarterly audit for the manufactures. As of June 2006, the credit amounts for any Toyota hybrid have been cut in half as the company has met the first hybrid sales threshold. All other manufacturers, however, still qualify for the full tax credit amounts as they have not met said sales levels. The manufacturers include Honda, Ford and GM.

Richard A. Chapo is with Business Tax Recovery - providing information on taxes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo

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Take A Ride To The Future In A Hybrid Car

Take a Ride to the Future In A Hybrid Car:

By utilizing the latest in advanced technology, hybrid cars might just provide a glimpse into the future of automobiles. Hybrid cars sport sleek and futuristic looks, but these cars arent just for show. These scientific marvels make use of both electric and gas power to make for a cleaner, more cost efficient, and environmentally friendlier car.

As the worlds supply of oil inevitably runs out and the prices of gasoline continue to skyrocket to staggering new heights, more and more people have begun to look for an alternative way to power their cars, as well as to save some money. Thankfully, the rise of hybrid cars are providing a much needed solution to these problems and more. The popularity of hybrid cars continue to grow as more people begin to realize the many advantages that hybrid cars hold over conventional ones.

So, what is a hybrid car and how does it work?

As the name suggests, hybrid cars utilizes a combination of different technologies. Hybrid cars use an electric propulsion system together with of a gas propulsion system to great effect.

Hybrids cars consist mostly of the same basic parts as normal gas cars. They contain a gasoline engine, a fuel tank, batteries, and a transmission. The difference is that hybrid cars also contain an electric motor and in some cases a generator, that work in conjunction with the gasoline engine to run the transmission.

A hybrid car can work in different ways.

In a parallel hybrid system, both the gasoline engine and the electric motor are connected to the transmission. The car alternates between the two and sometime uses them together. It typically works by using the electric motor to power the car at lower speeds and once the car reaches a certain speed, the car will automatically switch to the gasoline engine to give it extra power.

Other cars use what is called a series hybrid system. In this method, the gasoline engine is used to power a generator. The generator is responsible for charging the batteries that power the electric motor, which in turn, turns the transmission causing the car to move. The gasoline engine in a series hybrid never actually runs the car directly.

Some of the later hybrid models have a feature that stores up the kinetic energy that is built up when braking and uses it to further charge the car's batteries.

The biggest advantage of a hybrid is that it uses a lot less fuel than normal cars. Hybrid owners will be very happy with the mileage that these cars are capable of.

It also helps that hybrid cars tend to be built with lighter materials like aluminum and plastic. The engine is also typically smaller and specially designed to consume less fuel.

Environmentalist will also be very pleased with hybrids seeing as how they emit far less air pollution. Using a hybrid car helps makes our world a cleaner and more beautiful place to live in.

The government is also very fond of hybrid cars. So much so that theyre offering buyers tax incentives and other benefits. In some states, hybrid car owners can drive their hybrids in the high occupancy lane, even if theyre all alone in their cars.

The earlier hybrid car models tended to have unique and special designs, but as more and more manufacturers are catching on to the hybrid craze, they have begun to create hybrid versions of their normal cars. The Honda Civic Hybrid for example, looks more or less exactly like a regular Civic.

Buying a hybrid car will inevitably cost more than a regular one. However, the money that is saved from the lower fuel consumption, along with the tax deductions will eventually make up for the extra cost of a hybrid. Those who drive frequently will be the ones that benefit most from this.

With all the of the benefits that hybrid cars give, its no wonder that theyre so quickly gaining in popularity. Hybrid owners figure that its an excellent way to save money on gas and it gives them a good feeling, knowing that theyre making a difference in the environment.

So those who are in interested should go seriously consider owning one and join the ever growing number of people who are stepping into the future with hybrid cars.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://hybridcars.unique-articles.com where you can get more news and information on hybrid cars.

Article Source: www.articlewheel.com

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Successful Implementation of the Biodiesel Process in Localities Nationwide

Successful Implementation of the Biodiesel Process in Localities Nationwide
By Mike Cubert

The biodiesel movement is taking the country by the reigns, from east to west and north to south. Its bigger than just individuals taking advantage of the myriad rewards of the biodiesel process. Companies, townships, cities, counties, even states are joining the bandwagon. Below youll find just a smattering of some of the localities discovering the joys of biodiesel equipment.

Arizona: Tucson based Raytheon Missile Systems has made the switch to the biodiesel process, acquiring over 7,000 gallons of a B20 mixture to be used in 150 vehicles, such as generators and forklifts.

Iowa: The Cedar Rapids transit authority, Five Seasons Transportation and Parking (FST&P) fuels a fleet of over 60 buses with the biodiesel process, with B10 fueling 45 buses and 10 para-transit vehicles as well as the minibus driven by the operation supervisor. Thanks to the biodiesel process, the buses can run 300,000 to 400,000 miles inbetween each engine overhaul.

Kentucky: Golf course equipment in Lake Barkley State Resort Park runs on biodiesel, as do the Cadiz parks mowers, tractors, and backhoes.

Maine: World famous retailer L.L. Bean was Maines first major business to try out test-marketing the biodiesel process. The Freeport-based seller of fine furnishings, sporting gear. and apparel tried out the biodiesel process in 3 tractor rigs used to shuttle trailers from one warehouse to another. Making biodiesel equipment a permanent part of their infrastructure, the company boasts, installed at one of their warehouses, an 800-gallon, skid mounted tank and biodiesel fuel dispenser.

Maryland: The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, demonstrate the benefits and cost effectiveness of the biodiesel process in large scale use with three biodiesel fuel dispensers serving 150 vehicles, including buses, trucks, mowers, tractors, and other farm equipment with a B20 mixture. The project also serves to help clean the air in neighboring Washington, D.C.

Michigan: Michigans St. Johns Public Schools school district has learned the benefits of the biodiesel process firsthand, having switched all 31 of their school buses and 9 support vehicles ie. food service truck, 3-wing mower, tractor, pickup trucks, to B20 in doing so saving over $1800 in their first year alone.

Nevada: 1,100 school buses in a Las Vegas school district run on biodiesel process from waste vegetable oil donated by local casinos and hotels. The Clark County project consumed over 1.5 million gallons of B20 biodiesel in the first year, closer to 3 million in its second.

New Hampshire: The first winter resort on the East Coast to convert to the biodiesel process, New Hampshires Cranmore Mountain Resort has vowed to fuel all of its snow groomers with the same B20 mixture. Thats a 5,000 gallon-per month commitment to the biodiesel process.

New Jersey: Thanks to a $115,000 grant from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Energy Division, half of the school buses in the Medford Township are now powered by the biodiesel process. The district fills the tanks of 16 buses and a dump truck with a B20 mixture.

South Carolina: The campus shuttles at the University of South Carolina carry their students around with the aid of a B20 biodiesel mixture, proving that theres more than one way for the biodiesel process to infiltrate higher education.

Tennessee: The Eastman Chemical Company is now running on a B20 mixture in around 200 diesel vehicles (including bulldozers, backhoes, dump trucks, cranes, and tractor trailers) and around 150 pieces of stationary equipment (like air compressors, water pumps, welders, and generators).

Utah: All diesel equipment at the Salt Lake City International Airport, a major western hub with no less than 12 airlines running 335 scheduled flights daily out of it, and serving 20 million passengers per year, is now biodiesel equipment, and has been since 2001. This means if youve traveled through the Salt Lake Airport, you may have already unwittingly experienced some of the many benefits of the biodiesel process.

The future of every human being is made better thanks to the groundswell in biodiesel equipment and biodiesel vehicles. With only 1/4 the carbon emissions and the promise of freedom from the seemingly never-ending rise in gas and crude oil prices, the biodiesel process is no doubt here to stay and only destined to keep catching on.


Biodisel is clean, renewable, cheap and becoming popular. The best part is that it's very easy to make it at home. Visit our biodiesel making section for how to information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Cubert

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Biodiesel Engine or Biodiesel Conversion

Biodiesel Engine or Biodiesel Conversion: Which One is Right for You?
By Mike Cubert

Whenever we talk about biodiesel we mean the process of converting waste vegetable oil to an alternative fuel called biodiesel (or biodiesel conversion) which is then poured into unmodified diesel tanks in place of petroleum-based diesel. There is, however, another practice that comes to many minds whenever the term biodiesel comes up. This phenomenon involves the conversion of the engine rather than the oil, modifying a normal diesel engine to where it can run on unmodified waste vegetable oil (grease, fat, lard, etc.), in essence turning it into a biodiesel engine.

Thus the now famous and aptly named Grease Car. With greasecar as but one shining example of many, biodiesel engine conversion is gaining widespread appeal and it is no wonder: imagine pulling up behind McDonalds and getting all the free fuel you can carry! Its true. Restaurants have to pay to get their waste vegetable oil carted away. People needing to fuel a biodiesel engine are doing them a favor, taking it away for free.

Many fast food restaurants, in fact, prefer if you establish committed relationships with them, coming by regularly to pick up a consistent amount. That way, they can adjust their contract with their actual waste disposal provider accordingly.

One New York City man has driven over 3,000 miles on his biodiesel engine modified 1985 Mercedes station wagon off of free fry oil he gets from his corner deli.

Biodiesel engine conversion appeals to many because its a process that only needs to be done once, where as actually biodiesel conversion must be performed every time the tank runs dry. With the burgeoning rise in biodiesel fill-up stations around the country, however, that advantage wont weigh as heavily for long.

If youre interested in having a biodiesel engine all your own, you can buy packaged biodiesel engine conversion kits to help you. These conversion kits come with full instructions and all the necessary equipment needed to modify any car with a diesel engine to run on straight waste vegetable oil.

You can even buy a more heavy duty biodiesel engine conversion kit built especially for heavy duty trucks.

Once a standard diesel engine is converted to a biodiesel engine, it can still run on regular, petroleum-based diesel (which is a very good thing - imagine being stranded at a service station because theres no vegetable oil in sight!)

Waste vegetable oil used in a converted biodiesel engine must first be filtered to prevent clogging up the fuel lines. It is recommended, in fact, to filter it more than once, through successively smaller mesh filters (theyre measured in microns, the smaller the number of microns being the finer the mesh). You can find filters of different sizes at most auto supply stores.

Now, there are many among us who, well aware of our own mechanical limitations, wouldnt want to risk messing with our cars that way, and most of the biodiesel information in this website will speak primarily to these people, with such info as where to purchase biodiesel fuel and how to do your own biodiesel conversion. If, however, you feel empowered to spruce up your diesel engine into a biodiesel engine, more power to you. Either get yourself a kit or a thorough book on the subject and then get on your way. And whichever route you go, we wish you the happiest of travels!


Biodisel is clean, renewable, cheap and popular. The best part is that it is very easy to make it at home. Visit our biodiesel making section for how to information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Cubert

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Is A Hybrid Car For You

Is A Hybrid Car For You
By Kadence Buchanan

You may have seen one zipping past you in the high occupancy lane, a lone driver at the wheel. It's a gasoline-electric hybrid car and driving in the HOV lane is just one of the benefits of ownership in many states. But what is a hybrid? How does it work? Is it the right car for you and your family?

A hybrid car has a both a gasoline engine and a battery. The battery is recharged by energy from the gasoline engine that would normally be lost during braking or decelerating. The car uses either the battery or the gasoline engine depending on several factors including how fast the car is traveling. Sometimes, both will work together to provide an extra boost of power without using too much extra fuel.

The result of this technology is cars that get significantly better gas mileage and produce less carbon dioxide emissions that traditional gasoline powered cars. For example, according to Honda, the 2006 Civic Hybrid gets 50 miles to the gallon on the highway, 14 miles to the gallon better than the 2003 regular Civic. When driven the national average of 12,000 miles, that represents a savings of 69 gallons of gas and 258 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

In the early days of hybrid cars, there were few models to choose from. People desiring to purchase a hybrid car were stuck in tiny cars with little cargo space. Today, however, manufacturers produce hybrid cars and light trucks in nearly every category including family-sized sedans, sport utility vehicles and minivans. The smallest cars still get the best gas mileage, but larger hybrids consistently outperform their regular siblings in gas mileage and carbon dioxide emissions.

Unfortunately, hybrid cars cost more than regular models. In the case of the 2006 Honda Civic, the hybrid model costs almost $7,000 more than the regular model. Congress passed a law providing tax credits for hybrid car owners that took effect on January 1, 2006 that would save the buyer of a 2006 Civic Hybrid $2,100. It would take several years to break even on the purchase of a hybrid counting gasoline savings alone. However, many hybrid owners are as dedicated to the environmental benefits of driving a hybrid as they are to the money they save.

One of the fears when hybrid cars first became available was that maintenance and insurance costs would be prohibitive. Research has shown that regular maintenance costs for hybrid vehicles are no higher than for regular vehicles. Additionally, hybrid car owners are less likely to be involved in accidents and some insurance companies have begun offering discounts to hybrid car owners.


Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Outdoors, and Recreation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kadence_Buchanan

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6 Steps To Making e85 Ethanol At Home

Step One: . . . The Conversion Process

We have to break down carbohydrate sugars, such as the starch from corn. Create it into "Mash". Grind or crush the feedstock (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc...). Then dilute and add an enzyme (alpha amylase) to turn the mixture into a liquid. Once liquified a second enzyme is added(glucoamylase) to convert the starch into sugar. (If the source is mainly sugar, i.e...rotten fruit, molasses, etc..., the conversion step can be skipped.

Step Two: . . . Fermentation

Add yeast and make it into a beer (wine) type solution.

Step Three: . . . Distillation

The beer (wine) type solution needs to be run through a still to extract the alcohol from the solution.

Step Four: . . . Filtration

The ethanol now needs to be filtered to get rid of excess organic volatiles.

Step Five: . . . Dehydration

The ethanol needs to be "dried". After the distillation process there will be a certain amount of water in the ethanol you have just created - this can be dried running the ethanol through Zeolite a readily available product for drying ethanol.

Step Six: . . . Ethanol Into e85

Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline.

Frederick Musser is the owner of e85 Tips. A site dedicated to informing the world about e85 and it's benefits.

For more information on e85 please visit e85Tips.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frederick_Musser

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