Hybrid Cars- Do they really work?

Hybrid Cars- Do they really work?  2011 Toyota Prius Automobile giants like Toyota, Honda, Ford and Volvo are embracing hybrid cars as the new wave of the future. With Carbon emissions dangerously on the rise and climate change and global warming the hot topics on everyone’s lips these days, the old gas-guzzling monster car has gone ‘green’. Everyone is developing their own hybrid cars and competition is getting steeper as car companies compete for the title of best hybrid car. They have gained in popularity, as well, since more people have abandoned the stereotypical views of hybrid and actually get behind the wheel of one. Trust that in a hybrid, the ride is smooth, safe and quiet. For all those tech-challenged people, a hybrid car is a vehicle that does not depend solely upon the traditional gasoline combustion engine but has an electric motor as well. Both engines are monitored by an on board computer that adjusts from gas to electric as the need arises. The energy in the electric motor is stored in batteries that can be recharged as needed. The electric power supply runs on fully rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries and the charge on the batteries is also monitored by the on board computer. The computer ensures at all times that the batteries are never charged above 60% and never lower than 40% of its capability. By doing so, the batteries last a very long time. Using electricity to run the vehicle one third of driving time means that less gasoline is utilized, which equates to less carbon monoxide poisoning from carbon emissions. Hybrid cars employ technology to facilitate ease of movement and fuel efficiency. The on board computer system decides when to switch from one fuel source to the other and for how long and this system engenders maximum fuel efficiency. Another previously mentioned advantage to driving a hybrid is that there is noticeably less noise. On ignition, the combustion engine starts up, then shuts down as soon as it gets warm enough and the electric motor takes over. When accelerating, the computer switches back to gas or slowly transitions the acceleration so that either motor can be used to achieve acceleration.

In Ford or Toyota hybrids, the car can remain in electric mode at low speeds and this is very eco-friendly as there is no gasoline being burnt and as such no exhaust fumes emitting carbon monoxide. For the duration of the drive, the computer monitors which energy to use and for how long( electric motor never exceeds 60% of battery and never drops under 40%) and because of this hybrid cars can attain the exact results of their traditional counterparts even though they tend to be smaller more compact and lighter. Gone are the days when hybrid cars were matchbox looking electric clown cars. Today, hybrid cars are slightly smaller, more compact versions of conventional cars and automobile makers have even developed hybrid SUV’S! Fuel efficiency, massive reduction in carbon emissions and the affordable cost of hybrid cars make them the next big thing in automotive technology. Do they really work? Easy answer, absolutely! With all the wonderful marketing of hybrids, the question on the minds of the common car buyer is, “ Are hybrids as safe as regular cars?” The truth of the matter is, hybrid cars are in most cases, safer than conventional automobiles. The safety rating of any vehicle is largely based on a series of crash tests and hybrid cars pass said tests with flying colors. Hybrid cars are built small and easily maneuverable so as to avoid accidents therefore hybrid cars are ranked very high in safety ratings based on their weight class.

Another great advantage of owning a hybrid car is the tax cuts that hybrid car owners receive in the United States. The hybrid tax incentive program was implemented in the United States on January 1,2006 as part of the “ Energy Policy of 2005”. Most US states offer huge benefits for drivers of hybrid vehicles which include reduced licensing fees, tax credits of $ 75 for the installation of an EV charging outlet in the home, rebates of up to $5,000 per hybrid car, free EV charging in selected parking garages , exemption from parking fees( California- relative to buyers who purchased their hybrids from San Jose dealerships) and many additional incentives.

Aside from the benefits and the fuel efficiency, many still have concerns about hybrid cars. One could ask, “ What about the batteries? Are they safe to dispose of and how long do they last?” In reality, hybrid batteries are engineered to last as long as the vehicle itself.( between 150,000-200,000 miles) The battery itself has no toxicity as nickel metal hydride batteries are completely eco-friendly and recyclable. Automobile dealers Toyota and Honda do recycle dead batteries and they assure consumers that there is in fact no toxic hazards associated with these nickel metal hydride batteries. However, what of maintenance? Surely it must cost more to maintain a hybrid car, right? Wrong again! With the increase in popularity of hybrid cars, the neighborhood mechanics have all become familiar with hybrid car technology and as such, it costs no more and in cases less to maintain that hybrid car than it would to maintain that old gas-guzzler due to the technological superiority of the hybrid’s internal operating systems. Additionally, hybrids have also begun to appeal to those speed-demons among us. Hybrid technology has erased the stereotypical views of hybrids as lethargic and slow. Engineers have revolutionized hybrid systems so that the internal computer knows how and when to adjust and convert the two energy sources to facilitate acceleration and deceleration functions. In fact, hybrids are becoming so ‘ sought-after’ that Lexus has now introduced its own line of “ luxury” hybrids with more unique features and interior space and comfort and accordingly, Mercedes and BMW are set to follow suit. Love them or hate them, there is no denying the environmental benefits of driving a hybrid car. They embrace technological advancement at its finest coupled with comfort and innovation. Question is, when will they get to Jamaica in a viable enough way to aid us in reducing our own carbon emission issues? When do we get to test-drive a very cool hybrid car?