Hybrid Cars - Technology Of The Future Or Passing Fad?

By: Rick Hendershot

Hybrid cars have been getting a lot of buzz the last three or
four years, and now with the soaring cost of oil and gasoline,
hybrids are expected to get hotter than ever. Here are some
Questions and Answers about hybrids.

1. What is a hybrid car?

A vehicle is a hybrid when it combines two or more sources of
power. Hybrid cars almost always have a gasoline engine and an
auxiliary electric motor system that runs off rechargeable
batteries.

We normally assume that the point of hybridization is to save
fuel, and that is definitely the case with most of the smaller
compacts and sedans. But in fact some of the more upscale hybrid
models are more concerned with boosting power and "performance"
without the usual loss in fuel efficiency.

2. Do you have to plug your hybrid in at night?

You may assume because a hybrid car runs part of the time off
its battery pack, that it is necessary to plug it in at night
and recharge the batteries (like a golf cart!). But this is
almost never the case. Hybrid cars recharge their batteries "on
the fly" by making use of unused energy which is normally wasted
during normal driving.

For instance, most have a system that captures some of the
energy used while applying the brakes, and converts it to
electrical energy to charge the battery. This is called
"regenerative braking".

If hybrids had larger battery packs that you could plug into the
electricity grid, they would be able to transfer more of the
vehicle's power requirements over to the electric motor(s), and
use even less gasoline. But most auto makers have been unwilling
to go this route, arguing that today's batteries could not take
the extra load and more extensive usage.

3. Do you have to replace the batteries?

The short answer is No. Hybrid batteries typically have an
80,000 - 100,000 mile warranty. The U.S. Department of Energy
tested them to 160,000 miles and stopped testing because they
still performed almost like they were brand new. Some taxi
drivers have gone more than 200,000 miles in a Toyota Prius
without battery problems.

In any event, since hybrid battery packs have hundreds of cells,
individual cells or modules could be replaced if there was a
problem.

The best way to keep nickel metal hydride batteries performing
at their peak is to keep their charge between 40% and 60% --
never fully charged and never fully drained to zero power.

4. How long have hybrids been around?

Alternatives to the ICE (internal combustion engine) in
automobiles have been around since at least 1900. The first
patent for a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle was filed in 1905.
Alternative fuel sources were wiped out as a result of two
things. First was the development of the electric self-starter
(in 1913) that made gasoline driven cars much easier to start.

The second development was the advent of the age of cheap oil
that started around the time of the first World War. This
completely removed the economic incentive to look for
alternative fuel sources. This is only starting to change now,
80 years later.

5. Are hybrids expensive to purchase?

In January, 2006, there were 10 different hybrid models
available from $19,000 to $53,000. The most popular models --
the Insight, Civic, and Prius -- are less than $30,000.
According to auto maker announcements there should be more than
50 models available by 2010. As sales and production increase
the prices should not be significantly more than for standard
ICE models.

Even with the slightly higher average cost for a hybrid --
usually around $3,000 -- these additional initial costs can be
offset by federal and state tax incentives, lower maintenance
costs, and exceptionally strong resale values.

6. Are hybrids small and underpowered?

Initial hybrid models emphasized fuel economy, so were much
lighter vehicles, and had smaller engines. The objective was to
offset the loss of power in the ICE with additional power from
the electric motor. This would result in essentially the same
level of power while burning less fuel.

But this principle does not have to result in underpowered
vehicles. In fact the Lexus Rx400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid
both have a 270 horsepower power system. And the Lexus GS 450h
hybrid sedan is expected to have more than 300 horsepower and go
0-to-60 in less than six seconds. Taking the quest for hybrid
power even further, the Toyota Volta concept venicle has a 408
hp power plant.

7. What is the main reason people buy hybrid vehicles?

Saving money on fuel is the first thing most buyers think of.
But, in fact, the amount saved on fuel over the life of the
vehicle may not equal the extra purchase cost of the hybrid.

There are obviously other factors at play in the gradually
building popularity of hybrids. Some people want to make a
"green" statement, others simply want to be the first on the
block with a new and promising technology.

8. Will hybrid technology save the environment?

There's no doubt about it. Hybrids are becoming more popular. In
the past five years hybrid sales in the U.S. have grown 2000
percent. Sales in 2000 were 9,500, and by the end of 2005 had
grown to over 200,000.

But even this larger number is just 1.2% of the 17 million new
cars sold last year. If every hybrid gave double the current
fuel economy, from an average of 20 mpg to, say, 40 mpg, that
would save roughly 100,000 gallons of gasoline a day. But that
amount pales in comparison to the total daily gasoline
consumption in the U.S. -- 400 million gallons! The savings of
100,000 gallons would bring that number all the way down to ...
399,900,000 gallons.

Not very significant. Obviously governments and auto makers will
have to start getting very serious about hybrid technology
before it will make a significant difference.

9. Does that mean hybrid technology is only a fad?

No it does not. Because the only way towards a sustainable
future is to find a combination of fuels that will reduce our
almost total dependence on oil. Hydrogen fueled vehicles will be
part of that future, as will fuel cells, deisel, and alternative
fuels such as ethanol.

But what is almost certain is that every promising solution will
involve some kind of hybrid combination of technologies. So
today's hybrid vehicles are an important and necessary step
towards a much more promising and sustainable future.

About the author:
Rick Hendershot can give you 100
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