November 7th, 2005
Everything You Wanted to Know About Hybrids
By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
We came under fire, or at least stirred up some controversy when I wrote a piece on Hybrids and the fact that they don’t necessarily save you money. See “The Truth About Hybrid Cars: They Don’t Save You Money“) Many readers wrote in and agreed, claiming that their Hondas’ could do similar mileage and came with lower sticker prices, while others pointed out that price is not necessarily the point when it come to buying a hybrid automobile: styling and doing something to cut down on emissions are simply worth it to some buyers.
So I started researching and found a great online resource that covers all sorts of issue. For example, do you know what a “Muscle Hybrid” is?
How we classify Hybrids: Understanding the technology
Not all hybrids are created equal. In fact, there are degrees of hybridization such as “mild” and “full” and even different drivetrains utilized depending on which hybrid you’re looking at. If we approach hybrids by looking at five technology steps that separate conventional vehicles from battery electric vehicles, we can better evaluate how a particular hybrid operates. To be a true hybrid, a vehicle needs the first three steps. The fourth and fifth create the potential for hybrids with superior energy and environmental performance, but remember, don’t just rely on the type of hybrid, always check the fuel economy and emissions data available at our Hybrid Consumer Center.5 Steps to Hybridization
1. Idle-off capability
2. Regenerative braking capacity
3. Power Assist and Engine downsizing (at this step you reach a “mild” hybrid)
4. Electric-only drive (at this step you reach a “full” hybrid)
5. Extended battery-electric range (at this step you become a “plug-in” hybrid)A muscle hybrid is a vehicle that uses hybrid technology to increase power and performance rather than significantly increasing fuel economy–leading to an expensive vehicle with very low cost-effectiveness.
Technorati Tags: hybrids, auto tech, Prius, RealTechnews
Lockergnome's Tech News Watch says:
Everything You Wanted To Know About Hybrids
We came under fire, or at least stirred up some controversy when I wrote a piece on Hybrids and the fact that they don’t necessarily save you money. (See The Truth About Hybrid Cars: They Don’t Save You Money.) Many readers wrote in and agreed, claimi…
November 7th, 2005 at 5:10 pm
Robert A Herde says:
I own a Honda Accord Hybrid (2005) which comes damn near Fully Loaded. It’s a typical Honda, with attention to all details and surprising amount of room for a small car. My 2001 Honda Accord will give me slightly better Highway milage (38 MPG)with the Hybrid giving me only 35 - 36 MPG. “BUT” it gives me atleast 40 MPG in ‘City’ driving. Also, a max of 255 HP (V6) on acceleration. What I never see in any Hybrid articles is: My Hybrid rides like a Lexus and engineering wise, cuts off 3 cylinders when cruising. It’s not a FULL Hybrid, which I’d like to have for a personal car, not a family car, but until the rest of the world gets rid of there “Behemoth’s”, and realize ‘Speed’ comes at a price, I don’t like the safety of small cars.
November 8th, 2005 at 3:11 am
Santo says:
My wife and I have looked at hybrids, and after factoring in the higher cost, the cost of replacement batteries, and the only slightly higher MPG (compared to say, her Echo), we decided it was not economically viable.
One problem I see is that we are going down a high-tech route with hybrids. Why not look at diesels or even diesel hybrids? The problem with diesel emissions is due to the fuel we use, not the engine itself.
And if we ARE going to make hybrids, why is it that most of them are designed to boost power and maintain MPG (getting maybe 10% better MPG, really, nothing) rather than go for full-blown high MPG, like the Prius, Civic Hybrid and Insight? I’d rather see more hybrids like those than a Lexus hybrid.
November 8th, 2005 at 4:55 pm
Majlogon says:
Yes, The mechnic is back online…
At last, someone who bought a hybrid because of what it could do RIGHT NOW. I applaud Mr. Herde’s reasons for his choice, as Honda does make the benchmark vehicles in many different classes of cars. I wish him many years of trouble free use. 255hp is fun. And, more accurately, his Honda rides like an Acura, just with higher voltage.
Just don’t ask me to work on it.
November 8th, 2005 at 5:00 pm
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