You have heard about them, possibly have seen their commercials but do you really understand how the hybrid car works and what its value is?
Hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular to a variety of people for a variety of reasons. The ecologically conscious can appreciate the ultra low emissions and amazing fuel economy, while the economically conscious can appreciate the low depreciation and great savings at the pump.
Here are some quick facts about the Hybrid Car:
• Lower fuel emissions help to curb the infamous "Greenhouse Effect."
• Hybrid cars are in high demand, and because of this, they hold their value much better than most gasoline automobiles.
• Burning fossil fuel releases potentially harmful pollutants, but reducing the amount of fuel that needs to be burned may allow the environment to dispose of these pollutants by natural means.
• Hybrid cars offer huge savings at the pump. Switching from the average sedan to the average hybrid could save the driver over 500 dollars a year!
• Hybrid car technology has been accepted as a solution for the automobile pollution problems of the day.
• The United States government has supported hybrid car ownership by allowing a tax write off. In 2005, this rebate may be as high as $5000!
• While it is true that hybrid cars do have expensive parts, they also have warranties that provide free replacement of the most expensive parts for many years.
• Though hybrid cars have not been on the US market for very long, they have been sold in Japan since 1997. Some consumers worry that hybrid cars may not last as long as other cars, but it is not abnormal for a hybrid car to run like new when it has 250,000 miles on it. The best part - hybrid cars don't require any more maintenance than gasoline cars.
• Hybrid cars aren't a fad. Nearly every major automobile manufacturer has announced either the launch of a hybrid car or plans for a launch. A large part of this is due to the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) regulation, by which an automaker must maintain a minimum mileage of 27.5mpg across its product line. By investing in hybrid technology, they can offer faster, larger engines in the rest of their line.
How does the hybrid car work? A hybrid car is a passenger vehicle that is driven by a hybrid engine, which is any engine that combines two or more sources of power, generally gasoline and electricity. There are two types of gasoline-electric hybrid cars; the parallel hybrid, and the series hybrid. Both use gasoline-electric hybrid technology, but in radically different ways.
In a parallel hybrid car, a gasoline engine and an electric motor work together to move the car forward, while in a series hybrid, the gasoline engine either directly powers an electric motor that powers the vehicle, or charges batteries that will power the motor. Both types of hybrids also use a process called regenerative braking to store the kinetic energy generated by brake use in the batteries, which will in turn power the electric motor.
Both parallel and series hybrids have small gasoline engines, and produce much less pollution than standard gasoline cars, but also produce much less power - hybrids generally produce between 60-90 horsepower, while the average gasoline engine probably produces about double that. To overcome this power gap, hybrid cars are constructed with ultra lightweight materials like carbon fiber or aluminum. Hybrid cars are also designed to be more aerodynamic than most cars, allowing them to "slice" through air instead of pushing it out of the way.
All these factors combined equate to a super efficient form of car that gets excellent fuel economy and helps the environment by cutting down on pollution. What are you waiting for?
About the Author
Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used cars in Austin and the surrounding area and is known as one of the bad credit car dealers in Austin. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Hydrogen Powered Vehicles Home Kits
Home kits can now convert cars to run on water, known as hydrofuel.
Hydrogen fuel powered vehicles were thought to be the preserve of large automobile companies, but things are changing. It may appear fanciful to expect to be able to convert your car from gas to water yourself but that is, in fact, a reality nowadays. There are now a number of manuals and kits available at little initial cost, for example, the HydroStar system. Once the vehicle has been converted to run on water, you can rest content that you are benefiting the environment whilst paying a fraction of your previous fuel bills.
Many people have been skeptical about whether a water fueled conversion system actually works. So, let's take a look at the mechanics of such a system. A standard vehicle engine is converted to operate entirely on hydrogen and oxygen, generated by the electrolysis of water. No petroleum derived fuel or external electrical production unit is employed, or needed in any way. Water is the single by-product of the combustion of hydrogen and oxygen in the vehicle's engine. This water is then released through the exhaust system; no more nasty carbon monoxide emissions, just pure water. All that's required for such a system is a little know-how, a few cheap tools and regular access to water; not a problem for most householders. There are also claims that the combustion system will also remove pollution from the air intake. It doesn't get much greener than that.
So what is water electrolysis and how does it actually work? Well, water electrolysis is simply the breaking down of water into its basic hydrogen and oxygen atoms by passing an electrical current through it. It really is as straightforward as that, although different methods have different efficiency levels. It is not even necessary to introduce an electrolyte like acid to the water to assist electrical conductivity. Normal water from the tap is all that's needed. Until recently, the problem with a water electrolysis system was that the electrical energy required to perform the electrolysis exceeded the energy produced from the combustion of the oxygen and hydrogen. In other words, while it may have been a cleaner way of running a vehicle, it was thoroughly inefficient and wasteful of valuable energy.
But nowadays, systems such as the HydroStar employ modules which produce low voltage, specifically shaped electronic pulses of unique frequency and duration. (It may be of interest to some readers to note that this type of electronic technology, involving specific combinations of pulse frequency and duration, is now starting to be used in medicine to cure migraine, depression and other nervous disorders.) Modules used for vehicles keep overall power consumption low, low enough in fact for a vehicle's alternator to power it and leave enough surplus power for headlights and other electrical requirements.
It is difficult to establish the precise efficiency of such systems. That will depend on factors such as how well the system is fitted, vehicle aerodynamics and weight, and how the vehicle is driven. It goes without saying that if the claims of up to 300 miles per gallon of water are even remotely accurate, efficiency ratings become redundant when you consider the price of a gallon of tap water. As far as the vehicle's performance is concerned, there should be little change as the same factory-fitted combustion engine is employed. Hydrogen fuel powered vehicles are by their nature safer than using gasoline. A hydrogen fuel system is predominantly water with just a very small amount of hydrogen stored in the generator, while a gasoline system requires great amounts of combustible gas stored in a gas tank.
A hydrogen fuel conversion system is also extremely versatile, requiring no alterations to a vehicle's existing gasoline powered system. Indeed, it is possible to switch back to the gas system any time a consumer may wish without any hassle. The choice is always in the hands of the owner. Say you encounter a problem with your hydrogen fuel system, you can simply switch back to gas while the hydrogen fuel problem is rectified.
Hydrogen fuel conversion systems can be used for more than just cars and trucks. Pretty much any home appliance using propane or natural gas is a candidate. The power supply will need to be converted to 12V DC, but that's very easy and inexpensive to do. (Or simply buy a cheap converter.) Think about a system that uses maybe one dollar a month in electricity powering appliances, stoves, furnaces, barbecue grills and the like right throughout your home.
Whether for automotive or home use, systems are fairly easy to assemble and install. Practical, step-by-step, hydrogen fuel system guides are readily available and cheap to purchase. No specialist tools are needed, although a little practice at electronic soldering may be advisable. But even that is relatively easy. An oscilloscope could be handy to test for efficiency and make adjustments, but it's certainly not a prerequisite.
So, running a vehicle and numerous other appliances on water really is that simple. Try TechnoBlog for more technical details and sources of information.
About the Author
Tim keeps a regularly updated technical blog at TechnoBlog .
Hydrogen fuel powered vehicles were thought to be the preserve of large automobile companies, but things are changing. It may appear fanciful to expect to be able to convert your car from gas to water yourself but that is, in fact, a reality nowadays. There are now a number of manuals and kits available at little initial cost, for example, the HydroStar system. Once the vehicle has been converted to run on water, you can rest content that you are benefiting the environment whilst paying a fraction of your previous fuel bills.
Many people have been skeptical about whether a water fueled conversion system actually works. So, let's take a look at the mechanics of such a system. A standard vehicle engine is converted to operate entirely on hydrogen and oxygen, generated by the electrolysis of water. No petroleum derived fuel or external electrical production unit is employed, or needed in any way. Water is the single by-product of the combustion of hydrogen and oxygen in the vehicle's engine. This water is then released through the exhaust system; no more nasty carbon monoxide emissions, just pure water. All that's required for such a system is a little know-how, a few cheap tools and regular access to water; not a problem for most householders. There are also claims that the combustion system will also remove pollution from the air intake. It doesn't get much greener than that.
So what is water electrolysis and how does it actually work? Well, water electrolysis is simply the breaking down of water into its basic hydrogen and oxygen atoms by passing an electrical current through it. It really is as straightforward as that, although different methods have different efficiency levels. It is not even necessary to introduce an electrolyte like acid to the water to assist electrical conductivity. Normal water from the tap is all that's needed. Until recently, the problem with a water electrolysis system was that the electrical energy required to perform the electrolysis exceeded the energy produced from the combustion of the oxygen and hydrogen. In other words, while it may have been a cleaner way of running a vehicle, it was thoroughly inefficient and wasteful of valuable energy.
But nowadays, systems such as the HydroStar employ modules which produce low voltage, specifically shaped electronic pulses of unique frequency and duration. (It may be of interest to some readers to note that this type of electronic technology, involving specific combinations of pulse frequency and duration, is now starting to be used in medicine to cure migraine, depression and other nervous disorders.) Modules used for vehicles keep overall power consumption low, low enough in fact for a vehicle's alternator to power it and leave enough surplus power for headlights and other electrical requirements.
It is difficult to establish the precise efficiency of such systems. That will depend on factors such as how well the system is fitted, vehicle aerodynamics and weight, and how the vehicle is driven. It goes without saying that if the claims of up to 300 miles per gallon of water are even remotely accurate, efficiency ratings become redundant when you consider the price of a gallon of tap water. As far as the vehicle's performance is concerned, there should be little change as the same factory-fitted combustion engine is employed. Hydrogen fuel powered vehicles are by their nature safer than using gasoline. A hydrogen fuel system is predominantly water with just a very small amount of hydrogen stored in the generator, while a gasoline system requires great amounts of combustible gas stored in a gas tank.
A hydrogen fuel conversion system is also extremely versatile, requiring no alterations to a vehicle's existing gasoline powered system. Indeed, it is possible to switch back to the gas system any time a consumer may wish without any hassle. The choice is always in the hands of the owner. Say you encounter a problem with your hydrogen fuel system, you can simply switch back to gas while the hydrogen fuel problem is rectified.
Hydrogen fuel conversion systems can be used for more than just cars and trucks. Pretty much any home appliance using propane or natural gas is a candidate. The power supply will need to be converted to 12V DC, but that's very easy and inexpensive to do. (Or simply buy a cheap converter.) Think about a system that uses maybe one dollar a month in electricity powering appliances, stoves, furnaces, barbecue grills and the like right throughout your home.
Whether for automotive or home use, systems are fairly easy to assemble and install. Practical, step-by-step, hydrogen fuel system guides are readily available and cheap to purchase. No specialist tools are needed, although a little practice at electronic soldering may be advisable. But even that is relatively easy. An oscilloscope could be handy to test for efficiency and make adjustments, but it's certainly not a prerequisite.
So, running a vehicle and numerous other appliances on water really is that simple. Try TechnoBlog for more technical details and sources of information.
About the Author
Tim keeps a regularly updated technical blog at TechnoBlog .
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Hybrid Cars: Do You Really Save With These Fuel Economy Cars?
At the time of this writing, there is a game being played. And in my opinion, the game is called, "confronting the US oil crisis". The major players are the car manufacturers, the government, maybe the EPA and have course the people being the unwitting spectators that are readily lured to the show.
And the game pieces are the fuel economy cars also known as hybrid cars.
I will begin by emphasizing the point that I don't know everything there is to know about this so called "impending oil crisis". And I'm not sure if there is anyone who knows everything there is to know about this impending oil crisis too. However, I am fairly certain that the hybrid cars wouldn't be a prospective solution to the problem; not at least for a few more years.
One would notice a massive influx of hybrid cars on the roads today and yet, did nothing to help put a dent in the oil problems; but instead made a quandary with regards to car-pooling. As early as January 2005, hybrids car owners were allowed to use car pool lanes, even when driving alone. Given the fact that thousands of hybrid cars have been sold since 1999, some of the car pool lanes are becoming more congested than the regular traffic lanes they're supposed to lighten.
According to a compiled report for the past eight years made by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the pervasive presence of the supposedly fuel economy cars have saved only a measly total of 5.5 million oil barrels. It's a rather distressing contrast against the approximate 8.5 million barrels a day to power the present usage of the light, private vehicles. But even then, researchers are very optimistic with regards to fuel economy cars. They have concluded that for fuel economy cars to have an impact, they have to at least cover more than 50% of the car population in the United States. And given the growing sales of these fuel economy cars, it's just a matter of time.
On a more personal note, can fuel economy cars help you cut back on gasoline consumption? Yes they could, depending on your driving habits. However, if you consider the initial cost of the hybrids, you may want to reconsider buying one. One of the biggest challenges of the fuel economy cars is that it takes so long to repay that extra expense of purchasing them. Even in the best-case scenario (as with one of the most popular hybrids, the Toyota Prius), five years time is already considered lucky. One could purchase a standard 4-cylinder Toyota for a much lower price and the fuel economy on these models are just outstanding. Again, this will all depend on you're driving habits. Personally, being a city driver, I get excellent mileage with my four cylinder.
So what is your reasoning to purchase a fuel economy car? Is it for the environmental aspects? Whatever it may be, personally I wouldn't purchase a hybrid car for purely economic reasons.
About the Author
Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Hybrid Cars Info Blog. For more great helpful information about hybrid cars visit The Hybrid Cars Info Blog
And the game pieces are the fuel economy cars also known as hybrid cars.
I will begin by emphasizing the point that I don't know everything there is to know about this so called "impending oil crisis". And I'm not sure if there is anyone who knows everything there is to know about this impending oil crisis too. However, I am fairly certain that the hybrid cars wouldn't be a prospective solution to the problem; not at least for a few more years.
One would notice a massive influx of hybrid cars on the roads today and yet, did nothing to help put a dent in the oil problems; but instead made a quandary with regards to car-pooling. As early as January 2005, hybrids car owners were allowed to use car pool lanes, even when driving alone. Given the fact that thousands of hybrid cars have been sold since 1999, some of the car pool lanes are becoming more congested than the regular traffic lanes they're supposed to lighten.
According to a compiled report for the past eight years made by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the pervasive presence of the supposedly fuel economy cars have saved only a measly total of 5.5 million oil barrels. It's a rather distressing contrast against the approximate 8.5 million barrels a day to power the present usage of the light, private vehicles. But even then, researchers are very optimistic with regards to fuel economy cars. They have concluded that for fuel economy cars to have an impact, they have to at least cover more than 50% of the car population in the United States. And given the growing sales of these fuel economy cars, it's just a matter of time.
On a more personal note, can fuel economy cars help you cut back on gasoline consumption? Yes they could, depending on your driving habits. However, if you consider the initial cost of the hybrids, you may want to reconsider buying one. One of the biggest challenges of the fuel economy cars is that it takes so long to repay that extra expense of purchasing them. Even in the best-case scenario (as with one of the most popular hybrids, the Toyota Prius), five years time is already considered lucky. One could purchase a standard 4-cylinder Toyota for a much lower price and the fuel economy on these models are just outstanding. Again, this will all depend on you're driving habits. Personally, being a city driver, I get excellent mileage with my four cylinder.
So what is your reasoning to purchase a fuel economy car? Is it for the environmental aspects? Whatever it may be, personally I wouldn't purchase a hybrid car for purely economic reasons.
About the Author
Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Hybrid Cars Info Blog. For more great helpful information about hybrid cars visit The Hybrid Cars Info Blog
Ford's latest tech revealed in the Airstream Concept
Surely one of the most unusual-looking exhibits at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show was Ford's latest concept car, the Ford Airstream Concept. Picking up where 2004's Model U left off, the Airstream Concept is futuristic in some respects and deeply retro in others. In short, it's an odd mix - but elements in that mix show some real value for the future of the automobile.
In design terms, there are several different ideas at work in the Airstream Concept. The principal and most exciting of these is the 'HySeries Drive', a rechargeable electric engine that runs on hydrogen fuel cells, on show here for the first time.
Next to this cutting-edge technology, however, we have two further design influence that are almost vintage enough to be considered kitsch. The first is Airstream, the famous and ancient American trailer brand with which Ford collaborated on the project. And the second, strangely enough, is Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey.
What follows is an attempt to understand these three rather different ideas.
The HySeries Drive
Hydrogen is one of several 'fuels of the future' currently being bandied-about by automotive engineers and car firms, but it has been held back so far for want of a suitably efficient delivery method.
It can currently be used in car engines (BMW have already produced a petrol/hydrogen hybrid vehicle, and many gas stations in Germany actually pump hydrogen), but the cost of doing so in terms of 'miles-per-unit' at the pumps means only the rich and eco-friendly actually buy any. And having said that, 'eco-friendly' is not a term which can be straightforwardly applied to hydrogen fuel.
While it's true that burning hydrogen is very clean, producing practically zero damaging emissions out of your exhaust pipe, the process of bottling the stuff requires a great deal of electrical energy. And unfortunately for the environment, that energy is usually provided by a fossil fuel-burning power station. In this respect, hydrogen-fuelled cars are often just as damaging as regular petrol ones - it's just that that damage is done elsewhere.
One answer to the problems with hydrogen would be to come up with a new storage medium and drivetrain, that between them are efficient enough to undercut regular old unleaded in terms of fuel economy. And with the HySeries Drive, Ford reckons it's done just that.
The drivetrain is powered by an electrical engine, similar to that used in conventional hybrid vehicles like the Honda Prius; but in this case electricity provides 100 percent of power to the wheels (the Prius, by comparison, switches back and forth from electric to petrol). And while it spends energy making the wheels go round, the battery behind that electrical engine is being re-charged by the aforementioned hydrogen fuel cell.
It might not sound like much, but using the hydrogen in this way means that the HySeries Drive can be 50 percent smaller and less complex than a conventional fuel cell system, and could potentially have more than double the lifetime. Even better, mounting it in the Airstream Concept (which is no supermini in terms of size and weight) produces the cost-equivalent of 41mpg.
Airstream trailers and 2001: A Space Odyssey
Stylistically, the car is an amalgamation of these two iconic looks. Its bulbous outer body shape and polished chrome paintjob are clearly a nod to the beautiful Airstream trailers of the 1950's, as are 12 'ceremonial' rivets placed at various points around the car. Then the designers have turned to Kubrick's 1968 space-fest for the shape of its asymmetrical windows, distinctive red-and-white upholstery and self-consciously 60's interior.
It all looks good in a retro kind of way, but what does this odd choice of muses actually say about the Airstream Concept - and the idea of the 'American Journey" at that?
The trailer is something of a mixed metaphor. On the one hand, it conjures up ideas of the restless wanderer, a person without roots or fixed abode - much like the first American settlers' westward journey to explore and colonise new parts of their undiscovered country. But at the same time, trailers have a different and more negative connotation. 'Trailer trash' is a symbol for ignorance and poverty in the states, and of people going nowhere rather than free-wheeling. Thus it can also be a pretty bleak image for the American Journey.
2001 provides similar puzzles. Scratch the surface and you'll know it's about new technological discoveries and an exciting era of space travel - exactly the kind of thing Ford is looking for. But beyond that, 2001 has some pretty scary predictions for the continuing American Journey. Think about it: Is HAL 9000 really a good role model for the cars of the future?
In its defence, however, the Ford Airstream Concept is primarily about showing-off the HySeries Drive. It's not a production model (we're not about to go out and get a car insurance quote for one), and reading too much into the trim is probably missing the point.
In any respect, the car looks promisingly futuristic in the drivetrain stakes, and the wait now is for the first HySeries models to hit Ford dealerships across the world.
About the Author
Author - Ranjit Kaur (Hoot Car Insurance) Cheap car insurance for UK drivers
In design terms, there are several different ideas at work in the Airstream Concept. The principal and most exciting of these is the 'HySeries Drive', a rechargeable electric engine that runs on hydrogen fuel cells, on show here for the first time.
Next to this cutting-edge technology, however, we have two further design influence that are almost vintage enough to be considered kitsch. The first is Airstream, the famous and ancient American trailer brand with which Ford collaborated on the project. And the second, strangely enough, is Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey.
What follows is an attempt to understand these three rather different ideas.
The HySeries Drive
Hydrogen is one of several 'fuels of the future' currently being bandied-about by automotive engineers and car firms, but it has been held back so far for want of a suitably efficient delivery method.
It can currently be used in car engines (BMW have already produced a petrol/hydrogen hybrid vehicle, and many gas stations in Germany actually pump hydrogen), but the cost of doing so in terms of 'miles-per-unit' at the pumps means only the rich and eco-friendly actually buy any. And having said that, 'eco-friendly' is not a term which can be straightforwardly applied to hydrogen fuel.
While it's true that burning hydrogen is very clean, producing practically zero damaging emissions out of your exhaust pipe, the process of bottling the stuff requires a great deal of electrical energy. And unfortunately for the environment, that energy is usually provided by a fossil fuel-burning power station. In this respect, hydrogen-fuelled cars are often just as damaging as regular petrol ones - it's just that that damage is done elsewhere.
One answer to the problems with hydrogen would be to come up with a new storage medium and drivetrain, that between them are efficient enough to undercut regular old unleaded in terms of fuel economy. And with the HySeries Drive, Ford reckons it's done just that.
The drivetrain is powered by an electrical engine, similar to that used in conventional hybrid vehicles like the Honda Prius; but in this case electricity provides 100 percent of power to the wheels (the Prius, by comparison, switches back and forth from electric to petrol). And while it spends energy making the wheels go round, the battery behind that electrical engine is being re-charged by the aforementioned hydrogen fuel cell.
It might not sound like much, but using the hydrogen in this way means that the HySeries Drive can be 50 percent smaller and less complex than a conventional fuel cell system, and could potentially have more than double the lifetime. Even better, mounting it in the Airstream Concept (which is no supermini in terms of size and weight) produces the cost-equivalent of 41mpg.
Airstream trailers and 2001: A Space Odyssey
Stylistically, the car is an amalgamation of these two iconic looks. Its bulbous outer body shape and polished chrome paintjob are clearly a nod to the beautiful Airstream trailers of the 1950's, as are 12 'ceremonial' rivets placed at various points around the car. Then the designers have turned to Kubrick's 1968 space-fest for the shape of its asymmetrical windows, distinctive red-and-white upholstery and self-consciously 60's interior.
It all looks good in a retro kind of way, but what does this odd choice of muses actually say about the Airstream Concept - and the idea of the 'American Journey" at that?
The trailer is something of a mixed metaphor. On the one hand, it conjures up ideas of the restless wanderer, a person without roots or fixed abode - much like the first American settlers' westward journey to explore and colonise new parts of their undiscovered country. But at the same time, trailers have a different and more negative connotation. 'Trailer trash' is a symbol for ignorance and poverty in the states, and of people going nowhere rather than free-wheeling. Thus it can also be a pretty bleak image for the American Journey.
2001 provides similar puzzles. Scratch the surface and you'll know it's about new technological discoveries and an exciting era of space travel - exactly the kind of thing Ford is looking for. But beyond that, 2001 has some pretty scary predictions for the continuing American Journey. Think about it: Is HAL 9000 really a good role model for the cars of the future?
In its defence, however, the Ford Airstream Concept is primarily about showing-off the HySeries Drive. It's not a production model (we're not about to go out and get a car insurance quote for one), and reading too much into the trim is probably missing the point.
In any respect, the car looks promisingly futuristic in the drivetrain stakes, and the wait now is for the first HySeries models to hit Ford dealerships across the world.
About the Author
Author - Ranjit Kaur (Hoot Car Insurance) Cheap car insurance for UK drivers
Hybrid Car: To Buy Or Not To Buy?
US President George W. Bush once advised Americans to invest in buying and patronizing hybrid vehicles to help cure and eliminate the country's addition to oil. Because contract oil prices in the world market have always been very volatile, there is a pending need to significantly lower all industries and peoples' reliance and need for oil. Car experts now recommend buying hybrid cars more than any other type of cars.
What are hybrid cars? Basically, these are vehicles that run on two sources of energy---the usual gasoline or oil and electricity stored within an imbedded battery. The electricity from batteries serves as a back up or an assisting energy source. There are operations and functions of the hybrid car that utilize the electricity. This way, full consumption and reliance from the gasoline engine is lowered, making consumption of gasoline significantly lower. These days, hybrid cars provide about 60-40 gasoline-electricity power, wherein gasoline energy components make up majority of the car functions.
Is there a need to prefer a hybrid car? Before any purchase transaction for such a fuel-efficient car, it would be wise and logical if you would first consider the following checklist:
1. Is a hybrid car the right and appropriate car for you? 2. Are your personal driving habits in favor of using a hybrid car? 3. What are the helpful and necessary options available? 4. Do you have enough information to validate the reliability and credibility of the dealer and manufacturer? 5. Are there options in terms of car dealers? Will it be viable to buy in dealers from another state or area? 6. Is there a sticker price or manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) that is the actual price of the hybrid car, no more, no less?
Looking at the pros and cons of buying a hybrid car is easy. First of all, you would be able to generate a significant amount of savings in the form of gasoline consumption declines. However, it is just logical that hybrid cars currently cost higher than the normal and traditional cars. Hybrid cars are much lighter in weight and the basic structure and components and made of lighter alloys and metals, as weight is also a significant factor that boosts crude consumption. For its disadvantage, some people less prefer light structures and components in cars as such materials deform easier and are not too durable.
Hybrid cars perform full functions and features of a regular car. However, in comparison, hybrid cars fall less. For instance, if you are very particular about speed, hybrid cars would surely disappoint you. That is because electricity is not yet a viable source of power and energy for cars. That is why it just installed as a back up and secondary source of power in hybrid cars. If you are worrying about charging of batteries, do not worry. Hybrid cars are designed to have components that facilitate conversion of mechanical energy to stored-electrical. That is why through braking and acceleration, the car's battery is being charged. The disadvantage of this is that the major weight of the car and the overall space consumption can be directly influenced by battery installations.
It is advisable to buy a hybrid car, but if you are after superior performance, wait further because car makers are still in the process of researching and developing better and more powerful hybrid cars.
About the Author
Alex Baumm. Will you prefer to buy Hybrid Cars? As a buyer, the choice is up to you. If you would like to find tips on how to Buy a Car, please visit our forums.
What are hybrid cars? Basically, these are vehicles that run on two sources of energy---the usual gasoline or oil and electricity stored within an imbedded battery. The electricity from batteries serves as a back up or an assisting energy source. There are operations and functions of the hybrid car that utilize the electricity. This way, full consumption and reliance from the gasoline engine is lowered, making consumption of gasoline significantly lower. These days, hybrid cars provide about 60-40 gasoline-electricity power, wherein gasoline energy components make up majority of the car functions.
Is there a need to prefer a hybrid car? Before any purchase transaction for such a fuel-efficient car, it would be wise and logical if you would first consider the following checklist:
1. Is a hybrid car the right and appropriate car for you? 2. Are your personal driving habits in favor of using a hybrid car? 3. What are the helpful and necessary options available? 4. Do you have enough information to validate the reliability and credibility of the dealer and manufacturer? 5. Are there options in terms of car dealers? Will it be viable to buy in dealers from another state or area? 6. Is there a sticker price or manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) that is the actual price of the hybrid car, no more, no less?
Looking at the pros and cons of buying a hybrid car is easy. First of all, you would be able to generate a significant amount of savings in the form of gasoline consumption declines. However, it is just logical that hybrid cars currently cost higher than the normal and traditional cars. Hybrid cars are much lighter in weight and the basic structure and components and made of lighter alloys and metals, as weight is also a significant factor that boosts crude consumption. For its disadvantage, some people less prefer light structures and components in cars as such materials deform easier and are not too durable.
Hybrid cars perform full functions and features of a regular car. However, in comparison, hybrid cars fall less. For instance, if you are very particular about speed, hybrid cars would surely disappoint you. That is because electricity is not yet a viable source of power and energy for cars. That is why it just installed as a back up and secondary source of power in hybrid cars. If you are worrying about charging of batteries, do not worry. Hybrid cars are designed to have components that facilitate conversion of mechanical energy to stored-electrical. That is why through braking and acceleration, the car's battery is being charged. The disadvantage of this is that the major weight of the car and the overall space consumption can be directly influenced by battery installations.
It is advisable to buy a hybrid car, but if you are after superior performance, wait further because car makers are still in the process of researching and developing better and more powerful hybrid cars.
About the Author
Alex Baumm. Will you prefer to buy Hybrid Cars? As a buyer, the choice is up to you. If you would like to find tips on how to Buy a Car, please visit our forums.
We Are Fighting a War Against Global Warming
The global warming issue has just recently "heated" up. And along with it has come the war against global warming. However it is a relatively small and unknown one. There is a daily struggle to inform the public of the important facts and data of the science of global warming which most people do not even know is going on. The movie industry has chronicled stories about large corporations polluting the environment and these stories are all over the media. The part that makes this issue so difficult is separating the facts from the opinions.
It is not so much that anyone is for or against global warming, but rather, the debate is over what the effects of global warming actually are or will be. This debate is also that many people, scientists included,are not positive what the effect mankind has on the environment when it comes to global warming or greenhouse gases. The reality is that for every argument stating a fact about global warming, there is an opposing fact negating it.
When each of us pulls up to the gas pump, we are all aware that that fuel we are buying and using will impact the environment. All parties involved in arguing for or against global warming can agree on one thing. Eventually our fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, will be depleted. Finding alternative energy sources and implementing them on a daily basis is something we must all strive for. What does this have to do with global warming? It is the byproduct of burning fossil fuels that sparks the debates against global warming.
Science has taught us that climate warming most likely occurs when gases create a barrier preventing solar rays from exiting the atmosphere. A leading byproduct of burning oil, gasoline and coal is Carbon Dioxide.. It is also a natural byproduct of humans and animals. If humans would cut down their consumption of meat and rather eat a diet richer in vegetables, environmental groups argue there would be fewer animals producing these gases. Is this true? That,like many of the other arguments for and against global warming,is still under debate.
We do have a number of choices when it comes to using fossil fuels. One thing we can do is install solar panels to help heat our homes. We can also drive hybrid cars which cut the use of gasoline considerably. To help reduce landfills, we can recycle paper, metal and plastics. All these are questionable in helping in the global warming debate. However, all of these efforts may help some by removing our dependence on oil companies.
As people become informed, the arguments for and against global warming will continue until there is factual information presented and a definitive decision made. It does not look like this will happen any time soon. Neither side of this important issue seems anywhere close to reaching a conclusion on their studies because there are simply too many unknown factors that fuel the debates. It will literally take years for studies to be conducted and results published. Until that time,everybody must become educated on both sides of the global warming debate.
About the Author
www.tellmeaboutglobalwarming.com brings you thought provoking information about global warming. Be sure to check out all the pages and decide for yourself. © 2007 copyright by DSquare Marketing and Della Franklin.
It is not so much that anyone is for or against global warming, but rather, the debate is over what the effects of global warming actually are or will be. This debate is also that many people, scientists included,are not positive what the effect mankind has on the environment when it comes to global warming or greenhouse gases. The reality is that for every argument stating a fact about global warming, there is an opposing fact negating it.
When each of us pulls up to the gas pump, we are all aware that that fuel we are buying and using will impact the environment. All parties involved in arguing for or against global warming can agree on one thing. Eventually our fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, will be depleted. Finding alternative energy sources and implementing them on a daily basis is something we must all strive for. What does this have to do with global warming? It is the byproduct of burning fossil fuels that sparks the debates against global warming.
Science has taught us that climate warming most likely occurs when gases create a barrier preventing solar rays from exiting the atmosphere. A leading byproduct of burning oil, gasoline and coal is Carbon Dioxide.. It is also a natural byproduct of humans and animals. If humans would cut down their consumption of meat and rather eat a diet richer in vegetables, environmental groups argue there would be fewer animals producing these gases. Is this true? That,like many of the other arguments for and against global warming,is still under debate.
We do have a number of choices when it comes to using fossil fuels. One thing we can do is install solar panels to help heat our homes. We can also drive hybrid cars which cut the use of gasoline considerably. To help reduce landfills, we can recycle paper, metal and plastics. All these are questionable in helping in the global warming debate. However, all of these efforts may help some by removing our dependence on oil companies.
As people become informed, the arguments for and against global warming will continue until there is factual information presented and a definitive decision made. It does not look like this will happen any time soon. Neither side of this important issue seems anywhere close to reaching a conclusion on their studies because there are simply too many unknown factors that fuel the debates. It will literally take years for studies to be conducted and results published. Until that time,everybody must become educated on both sides of the global warming debate.
About the Author
www.tellmeaboutglobalwarming.com brings you thought provoking information about global warming. Be sure to check out all the pages and decide for yourself. © 2007 copyright by DSquare Marketing and Della Franklin.
Volkswagen Puts On The BLUETEC Mantle
It is a brand name for a family of diesel engines developed by DaimlerChrysler, but BLUETEC [or bluetec] is now also being used by Volkswagen, AG as it, too, begins to market its all new diesel offerings. Why is this important? Because DaimlerChrysler realizes that the world can benefit much more if automakers market common technology instead of going it alone. Will you be one of those motorists to purchase a bluetec powered Volkswagen?
On the eve of the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, an announcement was made that Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, and Jeep would be jointly using the BLUETEC designation to describe their new diesel engines. Mercedes and Jeep are DaimlerChrysler {DCX} companies while Audi and VW belong to the Volkswagen Group.
The announcement was significant because it meant that a term that was reserved for DCX companies would also be picked up by Volkswagen and used to describe their engines even hough separate, but similar technology went into their respective development. The similarity of all bluetec engines is as follows:
Bluetec engines are highly fuel efficient, clean, and they meet all current US emissions requirements which happen to be some of the toughest in the world.
Bluetec engines incorporate various nitrogen oxide reduction systems to reduce pollution.
Bluetec engines have improved torque and reduce fuel consumption by 20 to 40 percent over comparable gas powered models.
For Volkswagen, BLUETEC will appear across their model line at least in Europe where diesels make up nearly fifty percent of the market. In the US, where diesel demand has been lagging, the new BLUETEC diesels are expected to have a hand in raising diesel sales to an expected 15% of all new car sales by 2015.
Despite the introduction of bluetec, Volkswagen will slowly introduce new diesel powered models as the company gauges consumer demand. The Volkswagen Passat and Volkswagen Jetta are two models thought to have the best chance of seeing bluetec diesels with the VW Touareg also under consideration.
The Volkswagen New Beetle may be the test car to introduce bluetec to the lower end of the market. The New Beetle has been a raging success in the US where it is perceived to be an environmentally friendly vehicle. Adding bluetec to the New Beetle will help the company decide whether it could power the EOS, GTI, Rabbit, Golf, and the soon to be released compact crossover/SUV, the Tiguan.
Price may ultimately be the deciding factor as to whether VW successfully markets diesel aspirated vehicles in the U.S. With hybrid technology prices slowly retreating, consumers will want to make certain that the diesel cars that they select compete effectively. Furthermore, American consumers still remember the polluting and belching diesels from the 1970s and 1980s; will they accept the current technology or pass on the chance to buy a Volkswagen car powered by bluetec technology? All of that remains to be seen, but the next few years should reveal just how far reaching BLUETEC technology really is.
About the Author
Visit Volkswagen Forum to meet others who own Volkswagen vehicles (http://www.volkswagentalk.com/)
On the eve of the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, an announcement was made that Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, and Jeep would be jointly using the BLUETEC designation to describe their new diesel engines. Mercedes and Jeep are DaimlerChrysler {DCX} companies while Audi and VW belong to the Volkswagen Group.
The announcement was significant because it meant that a term that was reserved for DCX companies would also be picked up by Volkswagen and used to describe their engines even hough separate, but similar technology went into their respective development. The similarity of all bluetec engines is as follows:
Bluetec engines are highly fuel efficient, clean, and they meet all current US emissions requirements which happen to be some of the toughest in the world.
Bluetec engines incorporate various nitrogen oxide reduction systems to reduce pollution.
Bluetec engines have improved torque and reduce fuel consumption by 20 to 40 percent over comparable gas powered models.
For Volkswagen, BLUETEC will appear across their model line at least in Europe where diesels make up nearly fifty percent of the market. In the US, where diesel demand has been lagging, the new BLUETEC diesels are expected to have a hand in raising diesel sales to an expected 15% of all new car sales by 2015.
Despite the introduction of bluetec, Volkswagen will slowly introduce new diesel powered models as the company gauges consumer demand. The Volkswagen Passat and Volkswagen Jetta are two models thought to have the best chance of seeing bluetec diesels with the VW Touareg also under consideration.
The Volkswagen New Beetle may be the test car to introduce bluetec to the lower end of the market. The New Beetle has been a raging success in the US where it is perceived to be an environmentally friendly vehicle. Adding bluetec to the New Beetle will help the company decide whether it could power the EOS, GTI, Rabbit, Golf, and the soon to be released compact crossover/SUV, the Tiguan.
Price may ultimately be the deciding factor as to whether VW successfully markets diesel aspirated vehicles in the U.S. With hybrid technology prices slowly retreating, consumers will want to make certain that the diesel cars that they select compete effectively. Furthermore, American consumers still remember the polluting and belching diesels from the 1970s and 1980s; will they accept the current technology or pass on the chance to buy a Volkswagen car powered by bluetec technology? All of that remains to be seen, but the next few years should reveal just how far reaching BLUETEC technology really is.
About the Author
Visit Volkswagen Forum to meet others who own Volkswagen vehicles (http://www.volkswagentalk.com/)
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