No, a hybrid is a combination of an electric motor and a gasoline engine (sometimes a diesel is u... · Road Test…and Beyond: Hy
No, a hybrid is a combination of an electric motor and a gasoline engine (sometimes a diesel is used). An electric-only vehicle has to be plugged in and therefore has a very limited range. Batteries don’t work very well in the cold and can cut the maximum range in half, so they’re only of use in hot sunny areas like California, Arizona, Texas etc. These dilemmas with electric-only vehicles are exactly why manufacturers developed hybrids. The hybrid basically recharges itself - the electric motor captures energy from the engine and braking system, stores it in the battery which then powers the electric motor.
YES - For most hybrids, it switches off if the outside temperature is above freezing and the battery is fully charged. The vehicle doesn't shut down entirely - the heater, lights, stereo, air conditioning (set at low), and power accessories like windows and locks still work - but if they’re all switched off, all you hear is silence. The vehicle is restarted automatically by the electric motor – just press the gas pedal. The huge benefit is that no matter how long you're stuck in traffic, you're not wasting fuel.
NO - If you switch the rear window defroster on, or have the air conditioning set to maximum then the engine operates the vehicle 100% of the time. On the highway, the convention engine is employed due to the fact that the electric motor only works at low speeds.
No. The vehicle does this automatically and without intervention - the switch is virtually seamless, so you'll only know if you look at the gauges. You have no option on this and can not decide to use one or the other - the vehicle decides on the most advantageous time to use gasoline, electricity, or a combination of both.
Current hybrids have a manufacturer's warranty on the battery for 5 - 8 years, and/or 75,000 - 100,000 miles [130,000 - 160,000 kms]. They’re designed to last a long time because the battery is always in its optimal range. Unlike a cell phone battery that is drained and then recharged, a hybrid's battery is kept at a constant level. Toyota reports that it has not had a single battery pack returned since it sold its first hybrids here in North America back in 1999, and that if a battery pack should need replacing out of warranty it will be approximately the same price as a transaxle, or about $3,500.
The first hybrids were small cars like the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, however, technology has advanced to meet customer’s needs to the point that there is very little - if any - compromises between a regular gasoline engine vehicle and a hybrid, and that means we have more options. To date we have the Honda Civic and Accord, Toyota Camry and Prius and the Lexus GS450h and LS600h in the car category, while the following SUV’s are available: Ford Escape, Saturn Vue, Mazda Tribute, Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX400h. GM have two hybrid pick up trucks, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. At present there are no mini vans, but Toyota has hinted that one is on the way.
Many hybrids use a CVT transmission (Continuously Variable Transmission). A CVT uses cone-shaped pulleys with a belt between them instead of using the traditional stepped gears. This allows for an infinite number of ratios between the highest and lowest gears (there are no gears) and keeps the engine in its most efficient range - which increases fuel economy. Since hybrids are all about saving fuel, it only makes sense to mate them to a transmission that helps cut down on fuel consumption. Another up-side to a CVT is that it’s completely seamless and quiet.
You need to assess YOUR needs before you buy a hybrid. A lot depends on your driving needs and you may or may not decide that a hybrid is your best option. Under optimal conditions hybrids deliver their best fuel mileage in stop and go traffic or city traffic. Unlike conventional vehicles, hybrids actually get better mileage in the city than they do on the highway. If you do a lot of highway driving, wear diving boots for footwear, or don't spend much time in stop and go traffic, you may not realize the full benefits of a hybrid. However, that being said, with continually rising gas prices and dwindling natural resources, a hybrid may in the long run be a very wise decision.
You must adapt your driving habits to a hybrid – easy on the gas when leaving the lights, braking sooner is actually better because you’re recharging the battery. Going up hill is bad – going down hill using the brakes is good. Idling outside the bank is good, running from the cops is bad – you get the idea.
Hybrids in general cost more to buy, but that can be overcome in the fuel you save. Depending on the price of gasoline and how far you drive, it may be many years before you "break even" over the cost of a conventional model - if ever. (However, we are seeing more reasonable prices for hybrid vehicles these days, and they’re certainly coming into reach for more people). You don’t need to be a tree-hugger to buy one. The price of gas is going to continue to rise, so if you purchase vehicles for the long-haul it might be a wise decision. A recent report on the price difference between a hybrid Honda Civic and a regular Civic, negated any savings until year 8 of ownership – assuming you drive more than 12,000 miles [20,000 kms] per year. Sit down and do your calculations before signing on the dotted line. Buying a diesel engine car may be a better option.
As mentioned at the outset, I had the opportunity to drive the Ford Escape and Toyota Camry hybrids in 2006 and I was very impressed. The Camry was outstanding in its fuel economy, getting 34.6 mpg [6.78 L/100 km] on a constant basis. The Escape was good for an SUV at 24.8 mpg [9.5 L/100 km] which was worse than the EPA’s ratings, but very close to the V-6 thereby negating any fuel advantage it was supposed to have. It also cost considerably more than a regular Escape, but the Camry was within hundreds of dollars of a similar V-6 model. Neither vehicle compromised anything when compared to its regular gasoline powered stable mate. So far in 2007 I’ve driven the Honda Civic hybrid and the Lexus RX400h with similar results.
This is cache, read story here