2003 Honda Civic Hybrid Car - Easy on the Environment and on Your Budget

Car makers have come up with an innovation by producing vehicles that can help both the environment and the driver's budget. They have manufactured a certain type of car that can function with more than one power-source option. These are the hybrid cars. And one that offers comfort and style: 2003 Honda Civic hybrid car.What is a Hybrid Car?A hybrid car is a one that uses more than one energy source to power the car. A gasoline engine and an electric battery run it. These are what we now know as the Gas Electric Hybrid Cars.A hybrid car can either be a full hybrid or an assist hybrid type. A full hybrid is a car that can run either with a gasoline engine or through batteries or both, while a gasoline engine primarily runs an assist hybrid and the battery takes charge of the gas engine when gas runs out.There are three most popular hybrid cars in the market. The first car that had been released was the Japanese-made Toyota Prius in 1997, and then followed by Honda Insight, also a Japanese-made car, which was released to the American and Canadian markets in 1999. A few years later, Honda again released another hybrid car: the Honda Civic hybrid.Features of the Honda Civic HybridHonda Company developed another option for hybrid car lovers. This model is a bigger and better hybrid car, which is competitive with other previously manufactured hybrid cars.Physical StructureThe 2003 Honda Civic hybrid looks like the first released Honda hybrid car, the Civic Insight but this has four doors instead of just two. This car has 174.8 inches length, 67.5 inches width and 56.3 inches height. It weighs around 2,700 pounds. It can accommodate a maximum of 5 passengers and can carry weight up to 435 kilos. Its trunk has a volume of 10.1 cubic feet. The body is made from steel.The car comes out in two colors. These are magnesium metallic and gray.Interior2003 Honda Civic Hybrid is neatly structured. All parts are well distributed and located. All the controls are grouped together which makes it easier to manage and control. It also has a storage area that has enough space to fit a wallet or a coin purse found at the center area between the driver and the passenger. In addition, it also has a glass-holder. It is very convenient for placing your beverages.The gauge meters are colorfully made. It comes with blue color and is easier to read especially during nighttime when light is limited.The interior has a classic color of black and tan. The seats are covered with a suede-like cloth that is very soft and it also has a new pattern design. The back part has a wide area where passengers can move freely and with ease.TechnologyThe Honda Civic hybrid car has a 1.3 liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, with 85 horsepower at 5,700 rpm. It has 47/48 (highway/city) fuel consumption. It has an Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system wherein the gasoline engine stops and the battery works in place of it.Advantages Of Hybrids Over Conventional CarsLike other hybrids, this car consumes less gas, which can be seen clearly when the distance of travel is gauged. It likewise produces lesser carbon dioxide to the environment. With the conventional cars, the amount of the carbon dioxide is equal to the fuel that is used. Once the carbon dioxide released is decreased, there will also be lesser chances of pollution, thereby decreasing the factors that can affect global warming.Since there is lesser consumption of gasoline, your budget for gasoline is considerably less.Aside from these, the maintenance of the car is not as frequent as a conventional car. Motor and batteries of a hybrid car do not involve any special attention because they do not bring out as much carbon dioxide as the other cars. The brake pads in hybrid cars are not frequently used so it lasts longer as compared to the conventional car's brake pads.In the US, tax breaks are available to those individuals who use hybrids, such as the 2003 Honda Civic hybrid. This is the way for the government to support the car manufacturers and drivers who likewise help clean the environment.

Hybrid Cars Vs Gas Cars - Pros and Cons

Hybrid cars vs gas cars? The answer depends on your priorities.Maybe you're tired of paying high prices at the gas pump or sending U.S. dollars to the Middle East. Perhaps you're concerned about the environment and the fact that oil is a depleting resource that shouldn't be wasted sitting in traffic jams.Whatever your priorities, fuel economy is not the only factor to consider when looking at hybrid cars vs gas cars. To make a sound financial decision, you might also want to compare the purchase price, tax benefits, insurance, repairs and maintenance costs.Starting with fuel economy, realize no one gets the numbers posted on new car window stickers. The average driver only gets about 75% of what's been promised.And that includes hybrid cars. But hybrids still get much better mileage than conventional gasoline vehicles. Smaller four cylinder models are the only gas cars that come close to hybrids in fuel economy.The hybrid, however, comes with a higher sticker price than similar gas models. Some are as much as several thousand dollars higher in cost. This extra cost is expected to come down in the near future as consumer demand increases and manufacturers achieve greater economy of scale.Consumer advocate testing has shown that hybrid savings in fuel economy usually fails to offset the extra purchase price. But, for many buyers, federal and state tax benefits can help make up the difference.Hybrid cars may also get relief on insurance costs too. Some automobile insurance carriers are now offering as much as 5% to 10% discounts on hybrid cars. Apparently, preliminary research has shown that hybrid car drivers make fewer insurance adjustment claims and that's being reflected in their premiums.Another thing to consider is repair and maintenance. Some believe the new hybrid technology may be too sophisticated for local auto mechanics, requiring hybrid car owners to always return to the dealer for repair. But that's not just true for hybrids. As cars become more electronic, auto mechanics will need a degree in computer science to keep gas cars in tune too.Hybrid car manufacturers, like Toyota, Honda and Ford, must feel confident about their cars because they offer at least 8 to 10 year warranties on hybrid-specific components. Toyota, for example, reports their battery pack will last for more than 180,000 miles. For the average driver that's over twelve years.And, as far as maintenance is concerned, most hybrid components need no regular maintenance. Of course, you'll have to change the oil in the gas engine every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, just as you would in a conventional car.One distinct advantage hybrids have is that you won't need to change your brake pads as often. Because of their regenerative braking technology, hybrid brake pads last much longer. Prius customers have reported driving as far as 85,000 miles without a replacement. The brake pads of most gas cars last only about 15,000 miles.The bottom line for hybrid cars vs. gas cars gets down to your own personal priorities. But, there's one thing for sure, as consumer demand increases you're going to see more alternative car future choices at better prices.

Ranking of Hybrid Cars - How They Compare

Comparative rankings of hybrid cars are hard to find.In the first place, there aren't that many hybrids on the market to compare. And, secondly, they come in all different sizes and shapes, making ranking of hybrid cars very difficult.How do you judge the ranking, for example, of a small Toyota Prius, a luxury Lexus LS sedan compared to a full-sized Chevy Silverado? Other than being hybrid cars, they have very little else in common.But, it's important to have a comparison before buying. So, since I always love a challenge, here's my ranking of hybrid cars, which helped me tremendously while shopping around.To begin with, let's take a look at the best selling hybrid cars for the first six months of 2006. According to edmunds.com, they rank as follows:
Toyota Prius - 48,156 units
Toyota Highlander Hybrid - 18,127 units
Honda Civic Hybrid - 15,755 units
Lexus RX 400h - 11,193 units
Ford Escape Hybrid - 10,190 units
Toyota Camry Hybrid* - 7,386 units
Honda Accord Hybrid - 3,245 units
Mercury Mariner Hybrid - 1,461 units
Lexus GS 450h - 525 units
10. Honda Insight - 489 units
* (The Toyota Camry Hybrid was newly released in May 2006, but sales in May and June were already second only to the Prius.)It's easy to see that Toyota hybrid cars are the best sellers. The Prius and the Highlander, for example, account for nearly 50% of the entire U.S. hybrid market. When you add in the future figures for the new Camry, that share will increase and Toyotas will clearly dominate.Since the Honda Insight was first introduced in 2000, Honda's sales of hybrid cars have increased by more than 2,000%. In 2005, over 205,000 cars were sold and it looks like close to 250,000 will be sold in 2006.Hybrids still only account for about 1% of the total U.S. car market, but most experts predict that's going to change rapidly. It's easy to see why. For economic, environmental and political reasons, more and more Americans are looking for fuel efficient automobiles. And, out of the top ten fuel efficient cars, the first three were green machines. They were:
Honda Insight - 60 mpg city, 66 mpg highway
Toyota Prius - 60 mpg city, 51 mpg highway
Honda Civic Hybrid - 49 mpg city, 51 mpg highway
There's another way we can compare hybrid cars. And that's by looking at which hybrids received the coveted Consumer Reports recommendation. According to their most recent Consumer Reports publication (before the Camry was introduced), the recommended hybrid cars are the following:
Toyota Prius - small sedan
Honda Civic Hybrid - small sedan
Honda Accord Hybrid - family sedan
Lexus RX 400h - mid-size SUV
Lexus GS450h - luxury sedan
Toyota Highlander Hybrid - mid-size SUV
Those that weren't recommended are as follows:
Honda Insight - compact sedan
Ford Escape Hybrid - small SUV
Chevy Silverado - full-size pickup
Mercury Mariner Hybrid - small SUV
GMC Sierra - full-size pickup
Saturn Vue - small SUV

So there you have it - my ranking of hybrid cars. Hope this research helps you as much as it helped me.

The 2 Types Of Hybrid Cars

Many automobile companies have spend millions of dollars each year in research and development of more efficient fuel consumption for cars. Each year more and more cars are rolled out the production plants and there is an urgent call by consumers and environmental groups to reduce the fuel consumption of automobiles.With the increasing cost of fuel and the environmental concerns regarding harmful emissions of toxic gases into our atmosphere, automobile companies are forced to developed radically different types of cars. One of which is the hybrid carA hybrid is powered by conventional fuel as well as uses electric energy. Hybrid cars have lower fuel consumption and are more environmentally friendly.All hybrid cars are powered by two engines : a gasoline engine and a electric engine. Typically, they work in tandem with each other. The gasoline engine is used during starting and stopping the car. Once the car is travelling at a certain speed, the electric engine will take over automatically.In the current market, there are 2 types of hybrid car. The first type is the series. Typically, the gasoline engine is used to start and stop the car. Once the hybrid car has attained a certain speed, the electric engine will take over. The gasoline engine is also used to charge the electric engine's batteries. As you can see, both engines are used in tandem with each other but never together.The second type is called the parallels. It has the same physical configuration of the series hybrid however the operation is quite different. Both the electric engine and the gasoline engine can be used to start and stop the car. The electric engine is used to boost the power of the car when required. Parallel hybrid cars are more suited for long distance travelling.Usually, hybrid cars are built using very lightweight materials in order to reduce the load on the hybrid car when travelling. This help to save fuel by requiring less energy to move the vehicle. The tires are made more rigid than conventional vehicles with higher tire pressure to increase fuel efficiency.In on whole, a hybrid car consumes 50 to 60 percent less fuel than a conventional car. The only obstacle is the high cost at the present moment but I am sure as consumers start to recognize the benefits of hybrid car, the prices will start falling and become more affordable.

Hybrid Car Fact Sheet: 15 Things To Know

With the price of oil skyrocketing lately combined with a growing interest in doing less harm to the environment, there has been a great deal of interest in hybrid cars over the past few years. Most major automobile manufacturers now have at least one model of a hybrid car in production, whereas just a short time ago they were a rarity. Hybrid cars differ from electric cars and cars designed to run on alternative fuels, but are also an alternative fuel option themselves. Below is our basic fact sheet on the subject of hybrid cars.o Most hybrid cars out on the roads right now are gas-electric hybrids. Diesel-electric hybrid cars are only in the development/beginning stages for some manufacturers and in limited production by others.o While a hybrid car has a gasoline powered engine similar to a standard car, the engine is much smaller however, and uses additional technology to minimize emissions while increasing efficiency.o In addition to the gasoline powered engine, a hybrid car has an advanced electric motor which also acts like a generator at times.o Almost all hybrid cars make use of a technology called regenerative braking that allows the car to recover energy through the slowing down process.o A hybrid car's batteries are where the energy made by the electric motor is stored.o A hybrid car's electric motor can put energy into as well as draw energy from the batteries.o The transmission performs essentially the same functions in a hybrid car as it does in a standard car. Most hybrid cars have conventional transmissions, although some have very different ones altogether.o Types of hybrid cars have been around and sold to the public sine the late 1800's, including one manufactured by Porsche.o A hybrid car has less wear and tear on its braking system thanks to the regenerative braking technology it uses.o In one type of hybrid, called a parallel hybrid, both the electric motor and gasoline powered engine are connected to the transmission, giving both the ability to propel the car.o In another type of hybrid, called a series hybrid, the gasoline powered engine provides power to the generator which can charge the batteries or provide power to the electric motor that has the responsibility of driving the transmission. In this type of hybrid the gasoline engine technically does not directly power the car.o Studies indicate that a hybrid car puts out 80 to 90 percent less carbon monoxide and reactive hydrocarbons than a standard gasoline powered vehicle.o Federal, state, and local governments are offering incentives for consumers to purchase hybrid vehicles. These incentives range from free meter parking to income tax credits.o A plug-in hybrid car is a car that can also operate as a straight electric powered vehicle for shorter commutes and uses the additional gasoline engine power for longer commutes.o Hybrid cars have reduced wear and tear on their gasoline engines because not as much fuel is run through them and not as much is required from them.Hybrid cars have been both the beneficiary of and the inspiration for new technological developments in the automotive industry. Thorough testing has determined that some models of hybrid cars can be more fuel efficient than straight gasoline powered cars and at the same time be just as responsive and powerful. Hybrid cars remain today a viable option for families and businesses that want to reduce their reliance on petroleum, save money on fuel, impact the environment in a better way, or all three of those reasons combined.

3 Advantages Of Hybrid Cars Over Conventional Cars

Due to the rising cost of fuel and the environmental damage it causes to our planet, many car owners or buyers are looking for an alternative way to save money. Let's face it, fuel supply is finite and the prices of gas is only going to rise higher and higher. That is where a hybrid car has its advantagesHybrid cars have been gaining in popularity in recent years. With lower cost of production and new hybrid car technology being developed, owning a hybrid car is becoming affordable to everyone.Hybrid Cars Saves GasThe obvious advantage of using hybrid cars is that it saves gas. Combining the cleaner energy of an electric motor with the long range capacity of a gasoline engine allows a hybrid car to save as much as 30 miles a gallon. One feature of hybrid cars is that the gasoline engine is shut off automatically when the car stops. This also helps in saving fuel. That is also the reason why hybrid cars are so quiet why it is stationary. The gasoline engine is automatically turned on when you step on the accelerator pedal.Hybrid Cars Are Environment FriendlyHybrid cars emit lower toxic emissions compared to conventional gasoline-powered cars due to less gasoline being burned. It is environmentally friendly, causes less pollution and releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you do not know, carbon dioxide is one of the primary reasons for rising global warming. For example, the Toyota Prius can reduce tailpipe emissions by up to ninety percent and the greenhouse gas emissions by as much as fifty percent.Tax Incentives For Hybrid CarsDue to world political pressures around the world to reduce greenhouse emissions, President Bush signed an agreement in 2005 to provide huge tax relief to hybrid car buyers. The tax incentive varies by model and are based on two factors1. How fuel efficient the hybrid car is compared to a conventional car in 2002 with the same weight class.2. How much gasoline the hybrid car can save in its lifetime compared with an equivalent conventional carFor example, a Honda Accord hybrid car have reduced tax credits of $600 while a Toyota Prius has a tax credit of $3150. Do note that the tax credits do expire after 2010 for most hybrid cars.Hybrid car manufacturers are continually researching for more ways to reduce fuel consumption and better fuel efficiency. Also as more hybrid cars are being adopted, the cost of hybrid cars will reduce making it more affordable for everyone.

The Need for Hybrid Cars

Since the very conception of the automobile, engineers and designers have been searching for was to make them more efficient and save on fuel consumption. Petrol fuels the majority of vehicles and diesel fuel is used in heavier automotive equipment. The internal combustion engine is considered to be a major if not the biggest source of environmental pollution and the cost of fuel is increasing every day.With a constant rise in fuel costs and the environmental concerns regarding automobiles, vehicle engineers have had to develop more economical and environmentally safer alternatives to the internal combustion engine that powers most cars. This has led to the birth of the hybrid automobile. These hybrid automobiles offer a number of benefits. The hybrid automobile is a car that is powered by both an electric motor and a gasoline engine. Compared to non hybrid vehicles, the hybrid car saves on the cost of fuel by being more fuel efficient and has a lower rate of fuel consumption.Hybrid cars operate on a dual mode where the electric motor, powered by batteries, takes over once the gasoline engine has gotten the vehicle up to speed. Braking and deceleration generates energy that is used to charge the electric motor's batteries. This system allows the hybrid car to provide better fuel efficiency. This also means that the engine of a hybrid vehicle is shut the moment the car is stopped. Considered the biggest advantage to the hybrid car is the reduction of environmental pollution due to fewer emissions of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases in to our atmosphere. Automobile manufactures such as Honda, Toyota, and Ford have already introduced hybrid car models to the commercial market and several others are in development.Currently there are two types of hybrid vehicles on the market. The first is the "Series" hybrid. A battery powered electric motor powers the Series hybrid car. It also has a gasoline powered engine but it does not singularly power the vehicle. The gasoline engine powers a generator which is used in turn to charge the batteries of the electric motor. The electric motor is left on during the vehicles entire operation however the gasoline engine can be switched on or off depending on the needs of the vehicle. This type of hybrid automobile provides better mileage in city traffic.The second type of hybrid vehicle on the market is called the "Parallel" hybrid. The Parallel hybrid car, like the Series type, has a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The electric motor and the electric motor can both be used to turn the transmission and power the vehicle. The major difference between the two types of hybrid cars is that the Parallel hybrid uses its electric motor to boost the vehicles power when required to increase the car's speed. The Parallel hybrid car is considered better suited for the open highway.Hybrid automobiles provide several benefits due to some very unique features. The construction of the hybrid vehicle uses more lightweight materials than traditional automobile. This saves energy by using less to propel the hybrid car. Hybrid cars also increase energy efficiency because of their more aerodynamic shapes. Tires used by hybrid vehicles run on a higher pressure and are made of a more rigid material than general car tires. The higher pressure helps to increase the vehicles gas mileage per gallon of gasoline used. The overall efficiency of the vehicle is increased by these tires because they reduce friction on road surfaces and provided a grip. The braking system provided an energy transfer from the electric motor to the vehicles batteries when ever the brakes are applied. The overall gas mileage of a hybrid varies from model to model. The EPA test numbers report that the Lexus RX400h receives 31 MPG in the city and 27 MPG the highway while the Honda Insight receives 61 MPG in the city and 68 MPG on the highway.In conclusion, the future of automobiles is currently the hybrid car and purchasing a hybrid vehicle will not only save you money but will also allow you to take responsibility and do you part in creating a safer, cleaner and greener environment.

All About Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars work in a variety of ways. The most basic hybrid car is powered by a gas engine, but also keeps a charge in a bank of batteries.Hybrid cars and the power gridHybrids AREN'T "plugable" cars. There aren't any "plugable" hybrids in the market. A few people may add some extra batteries that may require a plug, but that is not a standard vehicle. Hybrid cars are not all fuel-sippers. Some have high performance and high prices.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. Hybrid cars don't use gasoline when they idle. The motor on a hybrid car acts as a starter that turns the engine on when it's needed and off when it's not needed (for example, when stopped at a red light). Hybrid car prices for the 2005 Honda Accord sedan start at $16,295 up to $32,140. The Accord is a perennial favorite around the world.Hybrid cars operate differently depending on your current driving modes. We can divide your typical driving into 5 different modes. They are just as fuel efficient. It depends on how the hybrid/petrol relationship is constructed within the car but something like a Toyota Prius is very fuel efficient around town. Hybrid car batteries are constructed with hundreds of cells.Hybrid car may not be fuel efficient if you don't use bettery, that's being said we are using two sources of fuel. Try to call it fuel efficient. Hybrid cars, which combine the power of an electric motor with a gasoline engine, are often presented as a transitional technology that will eventually be supplanted by fuel cell cars. This argument rests on an assumption which may or may not be valid - that on-board hydrogen, used to create electricity using fuel cells - is a better electricity storage medium than batteries. Hybrid cars aren't just for tree huggers anymore! There's a growing number of options, and you don't have to sacrifice performance or practicality to save money on gas.Hybrid cars use two or more sources of power. The Lexus LS 600h's makers say the car is the world's first luxury hybrid saloon, combining a five-litre V8 petrol engine with large high-output electric motors. Hybrid car prices vary based on the model and extras, and may also vary among dealers. Hybrid cars are as safe as any other vehicle in their class. They are given the same crash tests and scored the same.Hybrid Car Engine [http://www.hybrid-car-technology.nayie.com/] - First of all, the hybrid engine is something that everyone should marvel about. Many hybrid vehicles actually use two engines and this is important hybrid information for anybody in the market for a hybrid vehicle. Hybrid cars do get great mileage, but they cost a lot more to purchase than more conventional vehicles that are also fuel saving and green. Added to the cost of the high sticker price is the fact that hybrids have battery banks that need replacing in about 6 years at a cost which would be similar to having a major transmission overhaul done on your conventional vehicle's automatic transmission. Hybrid cars, which use evolving technology, are still more expensive to purchase than traditional taxis like Ford Crown Victorias. They also offer less power, and have less space for passengers and luggage.Hybrid car emissions also vary depending on the type of car. Some manufacturers add hybrid technology to existing car models while other manufacturers completely redesign cars with low emission and efficiency at the core. Hybrid cars are so called because they run on a combination of two different power sources. The first is a normal but usually highly fuel efficient gas engine designed to get the maximum amount of power and mileage from the minimum amount of fuel.

The Best Hybrid Car In The Market - A Green Quandary

The envelope is in, and the winner is...? The judges are getting their honoraria's worth with the kind of decision they need to make to come up with in their selection of the best hybrid car there is. But it seems they'd really have a hard time deciding, what with the array of hybrid cars that are now on offer to, competing to be the top car in terms of safety, fuel efficiency, emission, comfort and technological innovations.
The CriteriaIn choosing a hybrid car, what considerations will you look at? Of course one will not opt for a hybrid if not for the fuel efficiency, otherwise, any other stylish sedan notwithstanding how much gallons of fuel it consumes will be a candidate for one's choice. So the kind of fuel consumption savings and efficiency will definitely be a prime consideration. Relative to this, the best hybrid car will have to have the lowest, if not zero, emission of toxic waste gases. So this criterion is in.But how will we choose the best hybrid car then? We can probably start by segregating these hybrids, say separate the coupes and sedans from the SUVs and vans. Then segregate them further by dividing the cars into compacts, mid-sized sedans, and so forth. Segregate the pickups from mid- to full-sized trucks. Separate the vans from the mini-vans. The lists goes and on just as the list of available hybrid cars continues to lengthen.Then you can probably go to the level of body styles, drivetrains, engine power, transmission size and drive, and a host of performance criteria to look for.Price may be farther down the list, as hybrid cars will almost surely compensate for the initial higher cost through fuel savings and other economy features.
The Semi-FinalistsSome say the Toyota Prius actually started the race and all, and as such a pioneer deserves a place in the hall of fame of hybrids. The Prius starts at a suggested retail of $22,175, and comes with a savings bonus as an ECO-nomic car of around $2,000. Then there are tax benefits, too, for choosing an environmental-friendly car. EPA estimates come in at 55 miles per gallon for combined city and highway driving, and the AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) rating.What about the mid-size sedans, with more room than the Prius? There is the 2007 Hybrid version of Toyota Camry, which starts at around $26,000. Although the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Honda Civic Hybrid are also in the running, the Toyota Camry consistently figures in surveys made of satisfied hybrid users. The Camry Hybrid attains 34 miles to the gallon as far as EPA ratings go.Let us go now to sport utility vehicles. The Ford Escape Hybrid is great, but price considerations and its full-SUV features make it less popular than the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid, a more compact contemporary, that's priced reasonably at around $23,000, not to mention the tax benefits it gets for being a "green" SUV. Surveys show that this hybrid is comparable to other same-sized SUVs in terms of fuel efficiency and emission-levels.Compare the Ford Escape Hybrid now to another Toyota SUV, and you get the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid winning by an edge, if car reviews are to be believed. Reviewers say the performance and efficiency of the Highlander makes it a number one contender for the best large-type SUV of the hybrid kind. At estimated price of $32,500, the EPA ratings of 25 or 26 miles to the gallon for city and highway driving are manageable, if one looks at the long-term fuel savings.
The Verdict?The title of best hybrid car will always be relative - relative as to the type of considerations the buyer and driver will look for in his hybrid. But with the plethora of hybrids out there, it should not be that much of a problem to find the best one for you.

Hybrid Car Rental - A Good Idea For Business And For Customers

There are many good reasons why hybrid car rental have become more popular. In these days when fuel is very costly and in short supply, the car renting sector can be of help.It is a win-win situation to use hybrid cars for rent. On the side of the owner, it is easier for them to have hybrid cars for rent than the traditional internal combustion engine cars that run solely on gasoline or diesel. On the side of the costumers, they will spend much less on fuel cost if they can rent hybrid cars. Below are some of the many good reasons why the use of hybrid car rentals is a good idea.Why Use Hybrid CarsCar users choose hybrid cars over the traditional cars. Many surveys have been conducted among who rent cars for travel to their favorite vacation spots. A good seventy-two percent have been noted to choose hybrid cars over the traditional ones. Who can blame them when it is more economical and easier to drive a hybrid car?Low Fuel CostMost travelers are even willing to pay a little higher if only to drive a hybrid car. It is still cheaper in the long run since they will cut down on fuel cost. Even if the rent is a little higher, it will be compensated by the lower fuel cost. If you were in the car rental business, why would you offer the opposite of what the market wants? Your business will slow down if you do so. Business will look up when we know what the costumer wants and we are able to provide them.Government Incentives For HybridsThe government has been very supportive of the hybrid car market. This is the reason why they offer incentives to the purchasers of hybrid cars. You just have to check in your area about what incentives your government offers. They differ depending on the state but they will always be more favorable than when you are buying traditional cars.Easier to Maintain
Hybrid cars are easier to maintain. Car rental companies pay a lot in car maintenance. This is especially true when you have a fleet of the traditional internal combustion engine cars that run on gasoline alone. They require a lot of maintenance work to keep them in good condition. This is not the same case with hybrid cars. Summing it up, you will find that you have more savings because maintenance work is less and parts to be purchased are minimized.Hybrid cars have long depreciation periods. Their parts have long warranty periods and they require lesser maintenance. This is also the reason that makes them a really good investment. Hybrid cars are rapidly becoming the trend in the transport world; they will not depreciate easily because they will continue to be in demand in the future. When it is time to sell cars, you will be able to do it with good financial returns.Protecting the EnvironmentIt is our duty to protect the environment. We can help do this by using a hybrid car. This is because hybrid cars have up to 90 percent lower pollution rate compared to non-hybrid cars. By utilizing the formerly unused energy in the purely internal combustion engine cars and by using less gasoline and diesel, pollution is reduced greatly. This is a big help in cleaning up the environment because vehicle usage is one big source of pollution.So patronizing the new green car technology is a good idea all around, for families who purchase their own cars as well as for people who opt to go for a hybrid car rental when they need to travel long distances in faraway places.

Hybrid Car Models in the Market - A Review of Your Choices

There are presently many hybrid car models in the market. The hybrid car technology has become very popular that almost all car makers would like to ride the trend. Other manufacturers that cannot produce their own technology are buying technology from big companies that are ahead in the development of hybrid cars. Some companies are having a tie up with other companies so that they will come up with good models that they could use together.Honda's First Hybrid Car ModelsHonda first released Insight in the year 1999. They were the first car maker to offer hybrid electric car in the USA. This model has gained a little popularity in the first five years that it was on the market. It was designed to be very fuel efficient so it was built with a lightweight aluminum chassis. It was a two-seater vehicle. Honda Insight Hybrid was an environment friendly model. Aside from being fuel efficient, it was made to produce very low emission. There was an earlier version of this model that was released in Japan and Los Angeles in 1997.Toyota's Offering Later, Toyota introduced the Toyota Prius in the US. Presently, this model is the most popular hybrid car in the market. The Toyota Prius has a very efficient EPA rating and it has the lowest emission rating of up to 90 percent reduction compared to a regular vehicle. The good news is that the price of Toyota Prius can compete very well with the other cars of its type. It is actually the first hybrid car that was mass-produced.Toyota Motors have high hopes with the future of hybrid vehicles. Not only was it evident in the research and development that they put into the famous Toyota Prius. They proved the sincerity of this belief by introducing other models of the SUV line. They introduced to the market the Highlander hybrid and Lexus SUV hybrid in the year 2005.Honda vs. ToyotaHonda being threatened by the popularity of the Toyota hybrids introduced to the market their new model of a hybrid car that will compete with the very popular Toyota Prius. Honda launched a hybrid version of the Civic model. The hybrid model of Civic was known to be 30% more efficient than the non-hybrid Civic. Like the original model, the Civic hybrid is a four-door sedan that accommodates 5 passengers. The hybrid model looks very much like the non-hybrid counterpart but it was the hood that was modified. It was changed to become a lighter vehicle in order to be able to run efficiently on the electric power. Summing it all up, the Civic became popular but not as popular as the Toyota Prius which up to now is a favorite.Ford's Hybrid LinesBeing one of the biggest names in the car-making world, Ford Motors will not be left behind in the hybrid trend. Ford offered the Ford Escape hybrid to the market. It is another fully hybrid vehicle that was to make a name in the hybrid market. Another model that Ford Motors introduced was the Mercury Mariner Hybrid although it did not became as popular as the Ford Escape Hybrid.Nissan's Attempt to Join the Hybrid WorldNissan bought the hybrid technology of Toyota and they were able to produce the Nissan Altima Hybrid. This model gained a lot of good reviews. It is not very surprising when you take into account the popularity of Toyota Prius. But still, the Altima Hybrid is yet to make a name.GM in the Hybrid PictureAnother model of hybrid vehicles is the Dodge Ram Hybrid. This model did not become very popular. Daimler-Chrysler, the mother company of Dodge tied up with General Motors to produce good models of hybrid vehicles. They joined their group and produced models, some of which are the Dodge Durango Hybrid, Chevy Silverado and GM Sierra Pickups.There are indeed many varieties of hybrid car models in the market. If hybrids are only a passing solution to the energy problem of the future, it is indeed a good solution. With the very low emission and high fuel efficiency that it provides, it can work well until another better solution comes along.

Save the Environment - Buy a Hybrid Car & Save Money as Well

For most of us these days there's so much publicity & news coverage over the Green House Effect that maybe you've been thinking about how much your car contributes to this and wish to help the environment. Or maybe you are sick and tired of paying high gas prices and want to buy a car that is better on gas. Whether you want to help the environment, or want to cut down on how much you spend on gas, the hybrid car is a great solution.What is hybrid car?Hybrid cars are autos that run efficiently on both fuel (normally gasoline) and electric energy. The combination of using fuel and electric energy makes hybrid cars both environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient.The vast majority of hybrid cars are powered by two different engines: a gasoline engine and an electric engine. The gasoline engine is responsible for starting and stopping the car, while the electric engine is responsible for actually making the car move. By using the two engines in this way, the car is not totally dependent on gasoline. This, in turn, cuts down on the environmental pollution & the amount & therefore cost of gas used.Types of Hybrid carsIf you've done research on hybrid cars on the Internet, you've probably seen that there are two types of hybrid cars currently available. These are the Series hybrid car and the Parallels hybrid car. There are slight differences between the two types of hybrid cars, which we will go over here.With the Series type of hybrid car, the gasoline engine is used to start and stop the car. Then, when the car reaches a specific speed, the electric engine automatically takes over. Also, in the Series type of hybrid car, the gas engine is used to charge the batteries of the electric engine. With the Series type of hybrid car, both engines never really work together as a team.The Parallel hybrid, just like the Series hybrid, uses both a gas and electric engine. Even though the Parallel and Series hybrids are similarly configured physically, they are distinctively different in terms of operation. The big difference is that, in the Parallel hybrid, both the gasoline and electric engines can be used to start and stop the car. The other difference is that the electric engine in a Parallel hybrid is only used to boost the power of the vehicle when needed. Parallel hybrid cars are more fuel efficient than are the Series hybrid cars.How does the hybrid car increase fuel efficiency?Hybrid cars are made up of lightweight materials. Thus, the load on the hybrid car is greatly reduced. Because of the lightweight materials, the car doesn't require as much fuel to move. Also, the tires of hybrid cars are firmer than are those found on regular cars.Since the gasoline is burnt at a low level in hybrid cars, it produces lower toxic emissions than those produced by conventional vehicles. Green house emissions, as we previously mentioned, are a real threat to the environment. Hybrid vehicles, because they release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, cause far less pollution than regular cars do. In fact, some studies have shown that hybrid cars can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by as much as fifty percent, and tailpipe emissions by as much as ninety percent.To sum up, hybrid cars are much more economical because they consume fifty to sixty percent less fuel than regular vehicles do. Also, they are very environmentally-friendly. The only drawback to hybrid cars is that currently they tend to be a bit more expensive than traditional cars to initially purchase.. However, this will change over time because more people will purchase hybrid vehicles due to the benefits and the pressures placed upon Governments to reduce pollution.

Take a Ride to the Future In A Hybrid Car

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 aren't 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 world's 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 they're offering buyers tax incentives and other benefits. In some states, hybrid car owners can drive their hybrids in the high occupancy lane, even if they're 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, it's no wonder that they're so quickly gaining in popularity. Hybrid owners figure that it's an excellent way to save money on gas and it gives them a good feeling, knowing that they're 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.

Why People Love Hybrid Cars

Today, more and more people are considering the option of buying hybrid cars. An auto enthusiast newbie may find himself asking what it is about hybrid cars that have made it so popular in the auto market in the past few years.In a nutshell, the advantages of hybrid cars may be summed up in three reasons: economy, efficiency, and sustainability.EconomyHybrid cars use both electric power and fuel power, and uses up much less energy that your ordinary fuel-generated vehicles. Thus, the owner is spared from the constant price hikes and increases in the world oil market. And they are guaranteed to reach their destinations with or without the erratic movements in oil price hikes.EfficiencySince hybrid cars operate and run on electricity, hybrid cars easily function consistently well at any motor speed in comparison to gas-powered engines. As gas-powered engines generate much less power in decreased low revolutions per minute, motor and engine speed is affected considerably. In a hybrid car, the owner need not worry about transmissions and engine revolutions per minute in relation to speed. And although, because of acceleration reasons, a hybrid car may run a bit slower than a gas-powered vehicle making it a disadvantage to some people, parents prefer and opt to buy these hybrid cars for their children, being guaranteed their kids' safe speed on the road.SustainabilityUsing a car that can run on electricity will definitely have environmental advantages. Environmentalists and ecological activists are thrilled by the idea and by the ability of hybrid cars to emit substantially lesser smog pollutants and other hazardous gasses that are harmful to the environment and to people's health.With all these advantages in Hybrid cars, and with the rate at which car companies are going in order to develop and innovate on current hybrid car models, it won't be surprising to find the modern household owning at least one hybrid car in the next ten years.EfficiencySince hybrid cars operate and run on electricity, hybrid cars easily function consistently well at any motor speed in comparison to gas-powered engines. As gas-powered engines generate much less power in decreased low revolutions per minute, motor and engine speed is affected considerably. In a hybrid car, the owner need not worry about transmissions and engine revolutions per minute in relation to speed. And although, because of acceleration reasons, a hybrid car may run a bit slower than a gas-powered vehicle making it a disadvantage to some people, parents prefer and opt to buy these hybrid cars for their children, being guaranteed their kids' safe speed on the road.SustainabilityUsing a car that can run on electricity will definitely have environmental advantages. Environmentalists and ecological activists are thrilled by the idea and by the ability of hybrid cars to emit substantially lesser smog pollutants and other hazardous gasses that are harmful to the environment and to people's health.With all these advantages in Hybrid cars, and with the rate at which car companies are going in order to develop and innovate on current hybrid car models, it won't be surprising to find the modern household owning at least one hybrid car in the next ten years.

History of the Hybrid Car

Some people do believe that hybrid vehicle started in the early 1900's. In fact, hybrid vehicles have been around longer than you think they are. The start of the hybrid technology was believed to be in 1665, when Ferdinand Veriest and Jesuit priest began to work on a plan to create a simple four wheeled vehicle that could run by steam of pulled by a horse. Then in 1769 when steam-powered carriage was invented. Although this carriage does have the speed of six miles per hour, it is still hard to maintain enough steam for a long distance ride.  It was then improved when British inventor Golds worthy Gurney built a steam car that successfully completed an 85 mile round trip journey in ten-hour times. Then in 1893 Moritz Von Jacobi sailed an electric boat on the Neva, using an electromagnetic engine of one horse power.  And in or about that year is when Robert Anderson of Aberdeen, Scotland built the first electric vehicle. However, the vehicle brought lots of problems like the limited range and a battery power that was difficult to recharge.  It was later then improved by David Salomon in 1870 when he developed an electric car with a light electric motor, but still faced problems creating a battery that could easily be recharged. Then in 1879, the first electric railway was built by Dr. Werner Von Siemens. The wheels on the vehicle were driven by an electric motor drawing its electricity from the rails which were insulated from the ground and connected to a generator.  And also in that decade, year 1886 the business investors in London gained interest in developing an electric taxicab. The design was powered by a 28 cell batter system that would drive a small electric motor. Even so, this one did not come into regular use.  It then came year 1888, a company built a four passenger carriage for the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire it is powered by a one horse power motor and a 24 cell battery.  And on that same year, Ma nus Vol in Brighton, England made a three wheeled electric car. Then in 1897, the London Electric cab Company began to provide the city with a regular service, using a cab powered by a 40 cell battery and a three horse power electric motor. It was called the "Betsey Cab" after its inventor, Walter Betsey. The cab can go up to fifty miles before the battery had to be recharged.  Come year 1897 where the Pope Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, built around electric cars over a two year period.Then after that year came 1898, the year where the first world's first hybrid car the Loonier Porsche petrol electric "mixed",  which was built by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche of Germany. Porsche gave the nickname "Aunt Eulalie" to the first series of hybrids, but it was officially named as Simper Viv-us, which means "always alive. The first hybrid car can travel a distance of forty miles on a battery power alone. This car used a petrol engine rotating at a constant speed to drive a dynamo, which charged a bank of accumulators. The accumulators then fed current to electric motors contained within the hubs of the front wheels. Therefore, there was no need of drive shafts, transmission, gears, straps, chains, or clutch. And because of the hybrid car quickly success thousands of hybrid cars were produced by companies such as Kroger, Lonee Porsche, and Auto Mixtec in the year between 1902 and 1920.In 1900 the creation of gas and electric hybrid cars has been seen in Belgium. It was developed by Pie per, a Belgian car-maker.  He introduced a three and a half horsepower motor which the small gasoline engine was joined to an electric motor that is found under the seat. The electric motor was, in effect, a generator that recharges the batteries while driving. Nevertheless, when the car needed some extra power to make its way up to a steep incline, the electric motor would kick in and provide a boost to the gas engine. And because of the popularity of electric hybrid cars the Electric Vehicle Company built 2000 taxicabs, trucks, and buses, and set up a subsidiary cab and car rental companies from New York to Chicago in early 1904. In 1905 an American engineer named H. Piper filed a patent for a petrol-electric hybrid vehicle. His idea was to use an electric motor to assist an internal combustion engine, mainly to add the ICE to let the vehicle accelerate to 25 miles per hour in 10 seconds, Instead of the usual 30 miles per hour. Then after three and half years the patent was issued. By that time, the engines had become powerful enough to achieve this kind of performance of their own.In 1910, a company by the name of Commercial Built Truck, which used a four cylinder gas engine to power a generator, eliminates the need for a transmission and Battery Park. This hybrid was built by company in Philadelphia until 1918. Steamers and electric hybrid cars were almost completely wiped out in 1913. Sales of electric cars dropped to 6,000 vehicles, while over 180,000 gasoline cars were sold. Lots of car makers who still believe in the idea of hybrid car still try their best to put the hybrid cars back to the production. Like Baker of Cleveland and Woods of Chicago two prominent electric vehicle makers offered hybrid cars that can reach a maximum speed of 35mph and achieved fuel efficiency of 48 mph. And the Woods Dual Power was more expensive and less powerful than its gasoline competition, and therefore sold poorly.And it then considered that the year 1920 to 1965 become the dormant period for mass produced electric and hybrid cars. However, Hybrid vehicle technology did not disappear and its development continues. Lots of people still believe in the hybrid technology. Hybrid vehicle technology becomes the answer for most of the global problems. Just like in 1966; U.S Congress introduced first bills recommending use of the electric vehicle as a means to reduce air pollution. After a long quiet period, hybrid cars show up again in 1969. On that same year  General Motors 512 was designed, it runs entirely on electric power at a speed under ten miles per hour. The vehicle ran on a combination of electric power and gas combustion from 10 to 13 miles per hour. Arab oil embargo became a huge problem in 1973. The price of gasoline soared, which created new interest in electric vehicles. The U.S Department of Energy ran a test on many electric and hybrid vehicles produced by various of manufacturers this includes the hybrid known as the Volkswagen Taxi which was produced by Volkswagen in Wolfs-burg, West Germany. The Volkswagen Taxi was shown at auto shows throughout the United States and Europe. It used a parallel hybrid configuration allowing flexible switching between the gasoline engine and electric motor and logged over 8,000 miles on the road. Volkswagen Taxi is considered to have the higher range of efficiency than any hybrid had ever exhibited up to that time.  In 1974, engineers Victor Wok and Charlie Ros-en were part of the Federal Clean Car Incentive Program, created a prototype hybrid gas electric vehicle using a Buick Skylark body. The vehicle was tested and certified to meet the strict guidelines for an EPA clean air auto program by The U.S Environmental Protection Agency, but later been rejected. The American Motors developed a fleet of electric powered vans and delivered 352 electric vans to the U.S Postal Service, which they tested extensively. Unfortunately, the project did not meet with the level of success that everyone had hoped. The years 1976 to 1980 were the year that hybrid technology has been a good help. The Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976 and U.S Congress enacted Public Law 94-413 were among  the law's  objective to work with industry to improve batteries, motors, controllers and other hybrid electric components. And General Electric was chosen to construct a parallel hybrid sedan. And Toyota built a small sports car with a gas turbine generator supplying current to an electric motor, which makes it the first hybrid car for Toyota.  Audi introduced the first generation of the Audi Duo experimental vehicle in 1989. It is based on the Audi 100 Av-anti Quarto. It has a 12.6 horsepower electric engine, which drove the rear wheel instead of the propeller shaft. And also use a nickel cadmium battery to supply the energy. Two years after that, Audi unveiled the second generation Duo, which is also based on the Audi 100 Av-anti Quarto. Toyota came back by introducing the Pris in 1997, which is exclusive to its Japanese market. On that year, the Pris sold 18,000 cars and seemed to be the first significant mass marketed the hybrid vehicle in the world. Then Honda introduced the Insight, a lightweight hybrid two door model that cracked the American market in 1999. The vehicle could demonstrate a rating of 61 miles per gallon in the city and 70 miles per gallon on the highway.It then came 2000 the door of the new century is open for the hybrid technology. Lots of companies and car maker introduce and release lots of new and improve the hybrid vehicle of their own. Toyota released the first hybrid four door sedans available in the United States in 2000. And Honda introduces Honda Civic Hybrids, its second available hybrid gasoline electric car. The car appearance and provability was and still is identical to the conventional Civic.  And in 2004 Toyota release the Toyota Pris II which won 2004 Car of the Year Awards from the Motor Trend Magazine and the North American Auto Show. The demand for Toyota Pris II was surprising, that they pumped up the production from 36,000 to 47,000 for the United States market. Lots of interested buyer's waited up to six months to purchase the 2004 Pris. Furthermore, on September of that year, the Ford released the Escape Hybrid, the first American hybrid and the first SUV hybrid. The sudden increase of the oil product in 2007 had been a huge crisis all over the world. And because of that the production of hybrid cars and vehicle had increased. Lots of car companies and car makers around the world came up with lots of different kinds of hybrid vehicles. Some even convert their ordinary cars to hybrid cars. Lots of taxi cabs in the Philippines now a day's had been using Auto-gas, used as an automotive transportation fuel or LP gas as an alternative to powered gasoline gas. The development of this kind of hybrid cars does help a lot of people who are having a problem with the oil price increase and become the answer to the oil price increase the problem in air pollution.