Advantages and disadvantages of hybrid cars
All good citizens would reduce support for the idea of saving gas, the country's dependence on oil and keep our air clean and healthy. One way is our next new hybrid car.
Of course, it would be nice to have a pure electric car with zero emissions and that gets 300 miles to have an overnight stay. From that day in the future, we only have gas or electric hybrids available.
In general, hybrid cars will receive twenty percentmileage than regular cars but cost $3000 more. It will take several years of driving to recoup the difference in better mileage but the overall quality of cars has made it possible for us to keep them five or ten years without major repairs . I have noticed that most hybrid cars are bought by highly educated people whose reasons for buying a hybrid include
1.- owning a high efficiency car,
2.- the latest in technology,
3. - owning something different, and
4.- doing something to help the oil problem.
One concern of the prospective hybrid buyer is the cost of battery replacement when needed. While it would be nice to be able to top off the batteries in your garage with cheap electricity, the internal charging system in the hybrid cars will keep your batteries going for five or more years. NiMh and LiIon batteries have no memory and weigh far less than the equivalent lead acid batteries of a few years ago. Check out the separate battery warrantee supplied by the dealers.
In many cases, the manufacturer will include special accessories that are not available on the regular models. Features like heated seats, ice free mirrors, automatic heat controls and steering wheel audio buttons. The government also entices us hybrid buyers with a hefty rebate of $1200 - $2000. If you want to take advantage of this offer, make sure you are within the time limit.
Some of the ways that hybrids save gas are: The shutting down of some of the cylinders while coasting, the shutting down of the motor when stopped temporarily, and some hybrids even can be driven short distances on the batteries alone (Honda Civic, Toyota Prius) The availability of the CVT is a plus, since there is no evidence or lurch of shifting and the direct coupling of the engine with the wheels without an intervening torque converter rivals the efficiency of a manual shift.
On the con side, most hybrids weigh slightly more than their gas cousins and most designers were forced to give up the folding rear seat backs for battery space. Nissan has solved that problem by putting the batteries in the space where the spare tire was kept, adding an air bottle instead for emergencies. I think that this is a good idea since flat tires are a thing of the past. AAA can get you to a repair station if necessary.
The jack rabbit start drivers bemoaned the fact that the new hybrid vehicles were supplied with a comparatively small gas engine to accompany the electric motor. So some companies supplied some models with the regular powerful four or six cylinder engine (Honda Accord) in addition to the electric motor for powerful starts and quick highway passing. IMO, this may feel good to the racers but defeats the purpose of saving gas. The four cylinder engines are now sophisticated enough with high compression, fuel injection, high flow air intakes and exhaust manifolds, variable valves, and computer chips; all of which make them as powerful as the sixes of yore. Balance shafts, ball bearing surfaces, and extra insulation contribute to making them super smooth and quiet. Which one will be your next car?
2:20 AM
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