post comments to see which car is better Video Rating: 0 / 5
Hybrid cars are generally a combination of gasoline and electric engines. The gasoline engine remains the same as a regular car engine and requires similar parts whereas the most important part of the electric part of the car is the battery pack. This is also the most expensive bit which is the reason it has a lifetime warranty of 8 years as this is expected to be the average lifespan of a car.
Hybrid batteries need not be disposed of but should instead be recycled. Most manufacturers offer a discount on a new battery with the return of the old one. Others will let you claim a certain amount by returning the car battery. The hybrid electric motor will only run when the battery is charged though. If the battery dies, the control unit present in every hybrid car will shift the control from electric to gasoline. The car will now be driven only on gasoline and you may need to spend significantly more on fuel.
The hybrid electric battery can either run on the charge already in it or on the charge it gains during braking. A generator is used for this purpose and every time the vehicle brakes, the batteries get charged. In general, you don't need to worry about your hybrid car battery as it typically outlasts its lifetime. Most regular car batteries need replacing every 3-4 years but these batteries have a warranty for as much as 10 years. You can also get extended warranties if you want to be on the extra safe side.
When the batteries were tested at 160,000 miles, they still proved to give the same performance as when they were new. These battery packs have a lot of modules within them. So if the battery doesn't seem to be itself or if you find that it runs out very quickly, you can get it checked and replace the faulty module. If ever you replace the battery, always go for the same manufacturer for the best results. Spend wisely and let a professional do the replacement as he can do a check on the related parts as well while he is at it. If you know your way around hybrid car parts and are good with tools, you can study the manual and do the replacement yourself.
Some people worry that hybrid battery replacement will cost them a lot down the line. If this is the reason you are passing up a hybrid car, you should rethink. Hybrid cars perform really well on the road and help you save big on gas. There will always be people telling you about the negative points about every product but you should know that the battery packs last for a very long time and should not be a deciding factor. Some hybrid cars have been on the road for almost ten years now without any battery issues yet - which should tell you a lot about the quality of these batteries.
Eagle Technologies is a Factory Automation company in Bridgman, MI serving clients all over the world. The areas Eagle Technologies specializes in cover many motor and energy related industries such as Automotive, Green Alternative Energy, Healthcare, Food Processing Consumer Products, and Military. Contact Eagle tech at www.eagletechnologies.com for more info on these subjects and many others.
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 ,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 ,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.
About the Author
Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Outdoors, and Recreation.
Hondas all-new hybrid takes direct aim at the Toyota Prius. 2010 Honda Insight - Auto Shows www.caranddriver.com 2008 Paris Auto Show www.caranddriver.com
2010 Honda Insight Hybrid Sedan Sold for $ 1.24 by Paragon Honda and Rockybid
Jane Megginson Purchases Honda Insight From Rockybid.com
Queens, NY (PRWEB) June 11, 2009
Paragon Honda and Rockybid.com sold a 2010 Honda Insight on Tuesday to Jane Megginson of Lancaster, PA for $ 1.24. The sale took place at the Paragon Honda dealership in Queens, NY at 2PM where Rockybid gave away hats, polo shirts and website reward points to users that attended the event.
Jane Megginson, director of three Quaker camps based in Maryland, will be using her new hybrid car to get to work and shuttle between the camps. "Rockybid is definitely a legitimate opportunity!" Jane said as she drove away in her brand new vehicle.
Rockybid.com is a new online auction website that makes prizes available to users for negligible prices. The site auctions off other items at significant discounts, including brand new flat screen TVs, digital cameras, Nintendo Wiis, iPods, iPhones, cell phones, GPS systems, vacation packages, laptops, netbooks, PC computers and XBOX 360's.
Often referred to as a penny auction, Rockybid is unique in the rewards offered to users and variety of products offered to users. The 2010 Honda Insight was the largest ticket item so far, followed shortly by a vacation package and opening day tickets to Michael Jackson's farewell tour in London valued at $ 12,000, recently sold for $ 8.59.
Rockybid is currently taking product requests from users through Twitter via their new "Tweet What You Want" program. Yesterday, the kicked off their "In The Spotlight" program, which will feature Apple Day - a full day devoted to bidding on amazing Apple products such as the iPod, iTouch, Macs and more - scheduled for today, June 10th.
2010 Honda Insight To Sell At Pre-1950's Pricing; Losses Mounting At Rockybid.com
2010 Honda Insight For Up To 96% Off
New York, NY (PRWEB) May 17, 2009
At 6:30PM on Sunday May 17th, internet auction site RockyBid.com is set to suffer the biggest single-item loss in its short history. Rockybid estimates the expected loss, on the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid car near $ 19,400. Bidders, on the other hand, are presented with an unfathomable opportunity to win the latest hybrid car on the market for literally a few dollars.
The current economic climate has severely limited purchase of new cars in recent months; Rockybid's loss is set to give one bidder an incredible deal. With losses for the car on the rise, the car is expected to sell for a mere third of the average priced car in the 1950's.
The Honda Insight hybrid car is far and away the most expensive item that has been put on the block. The five-door hatchback was Japan's top selling vehicle for this past April and only became available in the US on April 24. On the lot, it sells for $ 19,800. On Rockybid, it will probably sell for a few hundred dollars, or less.
Items on Rockybid are typically bought at between 0.5% and 1.5% of their retail price. Even assuming a much higher percentage of 3% because of the Insight's unique draw, the final selling price of the car would be under $ 600! Coupled with the Insight's combined rating of 41 miles-per-gallon, this sale is a tempting opportunity for any recession-minded shopper.
Rockybid Resets Auction for 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid Car; Bidders Receive Credit For Bids Placed
2010 Honda Insight for 90% off
New York, NY (PRWEB) May 20, 2009
Rockybid.com, an on-line auction site, is reopening bidding on a 2010 Honda Insight hybrid car since there has been no winner as yet that complies with the "terms and conditions" of the site.
The initial auction for the Honda Insight was completed late Monday evening for a price of $ 92.36 and it was reopened on late Tuesday evening. Rockybid will reset the auction to $ 0.00 for its new start and returning all bids placed on the initial auction for the Honda Insight to users. "The auction is set to close at 12 P.M. (EST)," said Scott Emerson, Customer Service Representative for Rockybid. He expects the auction to end quickly since thus far, the auction attracted fewer bidders than expected.
While the auction for the Honda Insight has been reopened, the Insight is set to sell for less than 1% of the hybrid car's retail value of $ 19,800, leaving plenty of room for bidders to get a steal. In comparison to some of the other items up for auctions, Rockybid typically sells products for between 0.5% and 1.5% of their retail price. Examples include: Lexmark P315 Photo Printer, 99.8% Savings; Blackberry Curve (Unlocked), 99.5% Savings;
Nintendo Wii Console, 99.58% Savings; Apple iPod Shuffle, 99.78% Savings.
Rockybid's initial ability to take a loss on each item has brought a growing stream of users looking for a bargain during the economic recession, and is leaving many of them, especially the winner of the 2010 Honda Insight, quite happy.
The Lexus version of the Toyota Prius offers more power and luxury, but lower MPG. Video Rating: 4 / 5
The history of hybrid cars is immersed in controversy. Not so much for the product itself, but for the technology it uses. Is it old like the conception of wheel itself, or is it a recent idea, as recent as the embryonic stem cell technology?
First of all, a hybrid car is a vehicle that uses on-board RESS, or rechargeable energy storage system. This is coupled with a fueled propulsion power source for the automobiles propulsion. The Hybrid car is a low-gas consuming vehicle, therefore, a low-polluting vehicle.
The last characteristic is particularly important because of the growing consciousness of people worldwide on the need to protect the environment.
History points to the clear differences between hybrid and all-electric cars. Electric cars use batteries charged by an external source. On this note, almost all hybrids, save for those considered as mild-hybrid, still need gasoline or diesel as their fuel source. Other fuels are also available in the form of ethanol or other plant based oils. Hybrid vehicles also use hydrogen gas occasionally.
What is the history of hybrid cars?
The history of hybrid cars is closely intertwined with the history of the automobile itself. In 1898, Ferdinand Porsche, a young Czechoslovakian, designed the Lohner-Porsche carriage, a series-hybrid vehicle that utilized a one-cylinder gasoline internal combustion engine. This engine spun a generator which powered four wheel-mounted electric motors.
The car was eventually presented at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. The said automobile, capable of up to 56 km/h (35 mph) fast destroyed several Austrian speed records. In 1901, it won the Exelberg Rally, with Porsche himself driving the car. Mass production during this time was yet to be developed, but for Porsches future-looking design, 300 units of this model were sold to the public.
The first Porsche model however, technically speaking as we know Porsch today, was a hand-built aluminum prototype, and was completed on June 8, 1948.
The development of the first transistor-based electric car in 1959, the Henney Kilowatt, heralded a new development in the history of automobiles as a whole, and the history of hybrid cars in particular. This transistor-based electric car, paved the way for the electronic speed control. Ultimately, this made the road for the development of modern hybrid electric cars possible.
The Henney Kilowatt was considered the first modern electric car. It was a product of collaborative work between the National Union Electric Company, Henney Coachworks, Renault, and the Eureka Williams Company. Whilst the sales of the Kilowatt during this time were far from encouraging, its development served as the prototype for the other automobiles down the line of hybrid cars.
Between the 1960s and 1970s, another prototype of the earlier electric-hybrid vehicle was built by Victor Wouk. Wouk is among the scientists involved with the development of the Henney Kilowatt automobile. For this work, some historians bestowed upon him the honor being the Godfather of the Hybrid hybrid car.
For his pioneering work, Wouk installed a sample electric-hybrid drivetrain into a 1972 Buick Skylark, courtesy GM for the 1970 Federal Clean Car Incentive Program. The program was later axed by the EPA in 1976. Hybrid enthusiast and supporters continued building hybrid automobiles. These models however, were not put into mass production.
In the fading years of the twentieth century however, the history of hybrid cars has taken on a new course.
1978, the regenerative-braking hybrid, was developed by Electrical Engineer David Arthurs. The said regenerative-braking is to have become the core design concept of most hybrids, currently available in the market. The first attempt of Arthurs used off-the shelf components, including an Opel GT. But the voltage controller that links to the battery motor and the DC generator belonged to Arthurs.
Fast forward in the 1990s
The history of hybrid cars took the final step to modernity in terms of mass production during the Bill Clinton administration. Clinton initiated the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles program in September, 1993, that involved the Department of Energy, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, USCAR, and various governmental agencies. The partnership was tasked to engineer a modern efficient and clean vehicle.
In 2001, this program was replaced George W. Bushs own hydrogen focused FreedomCAR initiative. The focus of the FreedomCAR initiative was to fund research that is considered high risk for the private sector to engage in. The long term purpose of which is the development and production of petroleum emission.
The success of hybrid vehicles in terms of mass production however, became a reality, when the Japanese car manufacturer entered the American market. This is when the history of hybrid cars finally took its modern development. Honda Insight and Toyota Prius became the modern progenitor of modern day hybrid vehicle available today in the market.
Wheego Electric Cars, manufacturer of all-electric cars today announced it has been awarded the "Proggy" Award (for "progress") as the Best Green Car Company of 2010 by People of the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA's Proggy Award is given for animal-friendly achievements in commerce and culture, and recognizes Wheego's decision to offer their all-electric vehicles without the option of a leather interior.
In presenting the award, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said, "As you're probably aware, leather wreaks havoc on the environment. Setting this innovative and progressive policy for Wheego vehicles will raise awareness among consumers about the environmental damage associated with turning animal skin into leather. In addition, by providing alternatives to processes that harm animals, Wheego is helping contribute to a more humane way of life for our entire society and setting a standard for other automakers to emulate. "
Wheego President Jeff Boyd says the decision was easy: "In building an all-electric, zero-emission car, we are trying to do the right thing for the environment. It only makes sense to carry that commitment through to our choices for interior finishes. There are so many high-quality materials available now that look, feel and wear like real leather… but are much more responsible choices for our environment. We thank PETA for their support and encouragement, and are very happy to be their choice of Best Green Car Company."
The initial Wheego offering is the Whip LSV, which is available now. The Whip LSV is an all-electric low speed vehicle which can drive on roads with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. The full-speed Wheego Whip LiFe, due out this summer, is powered by the latest in lithium battery technology. It is expected to go approximately 80 to 100 miles on a charge, and will be fully crash-tested and highway-ready. Both cars in the Wheego Whip line are fully-equipped two-seat subcompact cars with fit, finish and features that compete with any other subcompact car on the market. The Wheego line is sold through a nation-wide dealer network.
About Wheego Electric Cars:
Wheego Electric Cars is an innovation-driven and environmentally-conscious manufacturer of Electric Vehicles (EVs). Under the leadership of CEO Mike McQuary and President Jeff Boyd, Wheego Electric Cars has become a leader in the integration of advanced technology components. Wheego Electric Cars is one of the first EV companies to deliver affordable fully capable, street legal all-electric cars for everyday consumer use.
For more information about Wheego, visit the company website at http://www.wheego.net.
Join Jaedene Hudson and Tim Pomroy as they test the new Porsche against Lexus's hybrid SUV, the RX 450h, in our latest Driver's Seat new car video review. Porsche is the latest car maker to get on the hybrid bandwagon with the all-new Cayenne S Hybrid SUV. Video Rating: 0 / 5
Article by Dale Bradley
It might not be what you want to hear, but there are some negatives to owning a hybrid car, but then again some of them are fairly insignificant. Even so, you might want to know about what disadvantages there are to owning a hybrid car. But don't get too worried. The disadvantages are not that bad.
Hybrid cars are more expensive.
Only a small percentage of consumers say they will buy a hybrid for their next car purchase. That's probably because hybrid cars are comparatively expensive. Another reason is that many people are a little concerned about buying a car that depends so heavily on a battery pack like a hybrid does. Why are they so concerned? They are understandably nervous about what would happen if the battery pack failed. You can't really blame them as hybrid car battery packs are usually very expensive, and would cost a lot to replace if not covered by a good warranty.
There's some doubt about the value of hybrid cars
Some people think hybrid cars are good for the environment and that everyone should have one, but some people beg to differ. There is lots of research being done out there to see what people really think about hybrid cars, and its easy to be swayed by the latest opinions but you need to weigh up the pros and cons for yourself. Buying a hybrid car is just like buying a normal car. There are pros and cons to every type of car whether it is a hybrid or not. Don't expect all hybrid cars to be perfect as there is no such thing as a perfect hybrid car yet because it is still fairly new technology.
Are hybrid cars just a trend?
Called the "wave of the future," it may seem like hybrid cars are really cool cars to have right now. And it's true. Although they are now on the cutting edge of automotive technology, hybrid cars may soon be outdone by something better. Car manufacturers are constantly working on creating more fuel-efficient cars, so who knows what's around the corner?
Hybrid car manufacturers say their battery packs will last a lifetime, but will they?
Ever bought a warranty and then had something happen to your car that wasn't covered? Even though a hybrid's battery is supposed to last a lifetime, chances are, something unforeseen might happen that will negate this warranty. How much does a hybrid battery cost? A lot. Of course, there's risk involved when you make any car purchase, but with the hybrid car, there are risks you never thought of. Just make sure that you are aware of this when thinking of buying a hybrid car.
The bottom line is this. Before buying a hybrid car, you should understand that you are buying into a new technology that is still passing through a teething stage. Therefore, who knows what surprises this new technology might throw at us? Nobody really knows if hybrid cars are the future of motoring but at least they are a start. After all, you don't see many people driving a Model T Ford around nowadays but they did jumpstart the age of the motor car so who knows where hybrid cars will lead us?
Once thing is for sure though. The gas-powered combustion engine will one day go the way of the Dodo, especially with the rising cost of oil, and hybrid cars are a step towards that day.
About the Author
For more tips on hybrid cars, hypermiling and many other ways to save gas at the fuel pump visit Save Gas by Hypermiling
Fisker Automotive, Inc., the new American manufacturer of premium green automobiles, unveiled its first production car -- the 2010 Fisker Karma. With a starting price of 900 (400 after US government tax credits), 1000 orders for the 100 mile-per-gallon luxury plug-in hybrid have been received since the prototype debuted at the 2008 NAIAS.
Article by Danny Green
Plug-in hybrid cars are the next generation of standard hybrid cars. When standard hybrid cars were successfully marketed, the consumers were overwhelmed with joy. Owning and maintaining a private car had never been that easy. It soon became the rage of town with its fuel efficiency and eco-friendly characteristics. Plug-in hybrid cars seem to be breaking all records of success of standard hybrid cars, though they are not marketed yet. The prototypes developed by General Motors and Toyota Motors have gained immense popularity with their fuel efficiency and minimum emissions, which cause the green house effect. The consumers have well received these cars so far, but the ground realities shall be unveiled once people get to own and drive these cars.
A standard hybrid car is different from the conventional vehicles in terms of its engines. A hybrid car depends on two engines: a gasoline backed engine and an electric powered engine. Gasoline is the primary source of fuel, which generates electricity that is stored in the metallic standby batteries. Once the batteries are fully charged, the engine power can be switched from gasoline to electric. On the other hand, in hybrid cars, the roles of the engines are reversed. Electricity becomes the primary source of propelling the car, and switches to gasoline only when required. Moreover, the electric storage batteries, usually made of Lithium or nickel are charged from any 120 v electric power outlet. This means, that one can charge a plug in hybrid cars from a power source in the house. This is a remarkable technology towards a greener environment and cheaper fuel, less than per gallon.
In terms of fuel efficiency, both cars are very different. The average mileage of a hybrid car is 30+ mpg, whereas plug-in hybrids claim to make it 100+ mpg, which sounds too good to be true. But if it comes up to its promise, then we shall anticipate a greener revolution within a few years when plug-in hybrids flood the market.
A typical hybrid car uses bio-fuels or gasoline, while the plug-in hybrid cars rarely depend on gasoline. This is the reason why plug in hybrid cars are a lesser danger to our environment.
Hybrid cars are cheaper as compared to the plug-in hybrids. The reason behind this is the costly batteries that serve as the primary source of power to a plug-in hybrid car.
Plug-in hybrid cars are heavier than the traditional hybrid cars. The reason again is the heavy batteries which are the basic feature of such cars. Owing to the fact that plug-in hybrids run on cleaner fuel than the standard hybrid cars, their maintenance cost is supposed to be lower than the standard hybrid cars.
The most interesting comparison between the two cars is the different places from where they get charged. A plug-in hybrid will have to make only a few trips to the gas station because it shall be on the charging mode when one is at work or sleeping at home at night.
Standard hybrid cars are meant for city drive as well as for longer distances, but plug-in hybrids are only designed to commute between home and office. They can travel up to a maximum of 40 miles in one go.
About the Author
Danny Green is a car specialist. Discover more about Lexus Hybrid Cars, Visit the Lexus website for more information and to book a test drive at http://www.lexus.co.uk.
Loading ...
US $15.99
©Copyright 1997-
