hybrid cars Options

[atkinsm2]

Are hybrid cars really capable of all the hype that auto manufactures are promising the consumer? Hybrid cars are achieving higher mpg's and significantly reducing pollutants getting introduced into the atmosphere, but they are actually increasing the average cost of an economy vehicle.

[trevinom1]

I wonder the same thing. I'm really thinking about buying a hybrid car. I think its true about what consumers say about this type of car. I believe that they are achieving higher mpg's and significantly reducing pollutants getting introduced into the atmosphere and are increasing the average cost of an economy vehicle.

[Doug]

You know, the cost of Hybrids are one the flaws that they have. My Father wanted a Hybrid, but we did a little research on them and the mechanical cost are throught the roof. They are also nothing but electrical engineering, so here in the south, rain and rust will damage a lot of the components in them. MPG and lower fuel cost was a plus, but the mechanical and cost to purchase them is definitly a downfall.

[Mayra]

I think that Hybrid cars are great and worth it if you drive a lot. My husband recently bought a Civic Hybrid. It did cost a little more than the regular civic, but for him is worth it. He drives 65 miles six days a week and sometimes even more. That is a lot driving and pollution. The Hybrid gives him 40 to 45 mpg and at the same time is not as bad for the environment as the truck he just to drive and even other regular cars. Now, he doesn?t have to spend a lot of money filling up the tank and specially now during summer when gas prices go up. Eventually, he is going to get the extra money he paid for the Hybrid back because he is not wasting as much money on gas as he did. Plus the insurance is cheaper. I definitely think that it pays off to buy a hybrid not only because it is good for the environment, but also because it is another incentive to save money.

[pandy]

I also think that Hybrid cars are very neccessary in our world. It help our world by suppling no gas fumes that will help destroy our world. This alternative car is what I think we all need in this world that will help keep our world from being destroyed.

[michelle]

Hybrid cars is something that is necessary to implement in out society. Now that we have problems with all the car emissions that are released into our atmosphere everyday. They are more expensive but it is just like everything else that is new or better for the environment does tend to be more expensive. I believe that in all good time hybrid cars will be cheaper and more affordable. In time hybrid cars will also be more efficient and hopefully will start to show its positive affects on our environment and our pockets. Smart cars are so small but is a big change that is necessary... you know the saying...everything is bigger in Texas... well that is costing us a lot of money. Now with gas being expensive not a lot of people can afford to drive around in their suburbans and big trucks all over the city. I think you will really get your money's worth when purchasing a hybrid car there are a lot of options and a variety of vehicles out there to choose from! Many people may be skeptical of hybrid cars but it is a process that is just beginning and will go through continuous and non stopping improvements through time as our technology evolves and improves.

[castilloe12]

I believe hybrid cars are good alternative to save gas, energy and contribute to less air pollution. It is true that at this moment hybrid cars are not accessible to everyone?s pocket, they are expensive. However like the solar homes that are being built now hybrid cars in the long run will give you your money's worth because then you will save more money in gas. The hybrid cars give you more mph which means less toxic fumes into the air. I think is just a matter of time before more people start driving hybrid cars. Hopefully by then the prices will not be as high and the quality of the car is better equipped and advanced. My only concern is the size because in case of a severe accident or maybe even a minor one the vehicle that usually ends up being more affected is the smaller one, therefore safety needs to be taken very seriously into consideration so that these cars can resist. I understand that accidents happen and you are vulnerable to them and that there is no perfect car out there that will prevent you from having one or getting hurt. Yet the way a car is manufactured plays a role, so I think that manufacturers should really look into that .

[Hilary Weber]

Are hybrid cars really capable of all the hype that auto manufactures are promising the consumer? Hybrid cars are achieving higher mpg's and significantly reducing pollutants getting introduced into the atmosphere, but they are actually increasing the average cost of an economy vehicle.

Perhaps a hybrid car costs more money for the buyer, but you have to consider all the possible meanings of "cost." Is it worth it to pay more money for a vehicle if we are saving our planet? Which cost is higher, being out some dollars (which have practically no actual value) or saying goodbye to humanity? No planet = no humans. Of course not everyone can afford a more expensive vehicle, but we can at least consider the benefits and costs of different options for transportation. Here is a website that discusses some of the pros and cons (including financial factors) of purchasing a hybrid vehicle:

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/money-guid...s-worth-it.aspx.

[Gabriela]

hybrid cars should be in our budget so we can all afford them and we can keep the air clean. The goverment made clunkers for cash to get rid of the old cars, they should make one so we can all get hybrid cars. But we should also do something about our living style not just buy a hybrid car. For example a house should have solar energy. Solar power harnesses the sun?s energy to make clean electricity

[Wynter]

I agree. If hybrid cars were actually affordable then I think it would be a step towards taking better care of the environment, however taking the effort to do so is the part we get stuck with (lazy). I know I am! I personally think we need more recycling centers around, but hey, just my opinion..

[atikakhan]

Hybrid cars good that they give more mpg and thus reducing the amount of toxic gases into our atmosphere but what I really like are the Hydrogen cars !.. Hydrogen cars don't emit toxic gases into our environment. Actually Hydrogen cars emit water as waste which is what our environment really needs.

[sara7864]

?Electric-powered cars, on the other hand, have a set of powerful batteries for powering the electric motor which in turn rotates the transmission and turns the wheels. Although their by-products are almost pollution free, electric powered cars take a lot of time to recharge and are generally slow.
A hybrid car combines the strengths of each type of engine. It produces less pollution and it is more economical than the conventional car while still being more powerful than electric powered cars.
The components of a hybrid car are a fuel tank for the gasoline engine, a cutting-edge gasoline engine that is much smaller, more efficient and produces less pollution than usual gasoline engines, an electric motor/generator which can either draw energy from the batteries to power the car or charge the batteries while the car is slowing down, a set of batteries which acts much like the fuel tank for the electric motor, and the transmission which turns the wheels.
A parallel hybrid car can use either its electric motor or gasoline engine to turn the transmission. Because of this, both the electric motor and the gasoline engines are connected directly to the transmission of the car.
A series hybrid car, on the other hand, has only the electric motor directly connected to the transmission. In a series hybrid, the gasoline engine is only used to charge the batteries that are used to power the electric motor.
Regenerative Braking: Instead of using only friction to brake the car, the electric motor/generator of the hybrid car uses the excess kinetic energy to charge the batteries of the electric engine and thereby capturing some of the energy that would've been otherwise lost in the case of conventional cars.
Temporary Engine Shut-off: Since hybrid cars have two engines to power them, it they can automatically shut off the gas powered engine when the car is idle and use its electric engine to power it. This saves fuel.
Other features to maximize the fuel efficiency of hybrid cars are minimal-drag tires, carbon fiber and other lightweight materials to reduce overall weight and state of the art aerodynamic designs for the body. All these things make it easier for a hybrid car to drive up inclines and accelerate, attain higher speeds as well as minimize fuel consumption and emissions.?
http://www.tech-faq.com/hybrid-cars.shtml
Based upon the above information, one can say that hybrid cars are very useful. Of course everything is not perfect therefore nor are these. However compared to traditional or the electric cars, hybrid cars tend to better energy wise and also for the atmosphere. However, it is true that whatever is good is also expensive. At this moment in time hybrid cars are very expensive. An average person will not be able to afford this, no matter how much they are about saving the world. We do have to think our economy. One cannot fix one problem and creates another. Therefore car companies need to find a medium and make these cars more affordable because they will be good for our future.

[BLUE713]

I believe that hybrid cars should be considered when purchasing your next vehicle. A hybrid car features a small fuel efficient gas engine combined with an electric motor that assists the engine when accelerating. The electric motor is powered by batteries that recharge automatically while you drive. There are two types of gasoline-electric hybrid cars: we have the parallel hybrid and the series hybrid. 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. The advantages when purchasing a hybrid car is that it has smaller and more efficient engines and it also has regenerative braking. Another good thing is that it has low-rolling resistance tires which mean that they are narrow and stiffer tires and they have less drag. This automobile is made out of lightweight material which means it would increase the efficiency of the hybrid car. So consider these facts when purchasing your next automobile and it will save you a lot of money!

[alessyp]

i thing hybrid cars should be the next car anybody could buy. These cars are so light, so economic in fuel and give you a lont of miles per gallon. It is expensive to purchase one of these cars, but i think we should alll keep in mind that if we are buying ahybrid car, to make sure thats the car we're going to keep and not return and exchange because it can get pricy but youll be saving in the long run.

[David Spiegel]

I would consider the discussion about hybrid vehicles to be included in the topic of New Materials. While hybrid vehicles are not a new thing, but the popularity has really increased in the last 5 ? 10 years. I have a family member that owns a hybrid car. It does get better gas mileage than non-hybrid vehicles. However, I have found that driving styles can make as much of a difference when it comes to efficiency. If we could combine both better efficiency and the use of hybrid vehicles, we would cut down on pollution which would be better for the environment.

Are hybrid cars really capable of all the hype that auto manufactures are promising the consumer? Hybrid cars are achieving higher mpg's and significantly reducing pollutants getting introduced into the atmosphere, but they are actually increasing the average cost of an economy vehicle.