ALT-3 Hybrid Overview
From Fuel to the Combo: Birth of the Hybrid
The dictionary defines hybrid as: something that is created by combining two different elements, a cross breed. Hybrid can apply to plants, animals, humans and things. This is the latest buzz to hit the streets, literally. The word applies to a type of passenger vehicle that is touted as more fuel-efficient than the gasoline powered automobiles. However, that is not really the principal claim to popularity.
Use of alternative energy sources actually sparked the automobile makers to rush their individual prototypes to market. Fuel-efficiency should not be the primary consideration when making this big-ticket item. Often, fuel-efficiency is only marginally different than the mainstream vehicles. The hybrid is supposed to be the savior of the environment.
There are currently two types of hybrids on the market. Most hybrids available to the general public use the batteries to support the actual power source - gasoline. Yes, the very fuel that we are looking to eliminate. Although these hybrid vehicles are highly sought out, they are not the solution to the fuel crisis or to the dent in our wallet. The alternate energy is only a support mechanism for the main power source.
If an environmentally friendly vehicle is your goal, consider a car that uses electricity as its main power source and fuel is used only to provide power for the battery. The Toyota Prius is a good example of this type of hybrid vehicle. There is an interesting side effect of an electric powered hybrid. There is no noise...not inside...not outside.
Greenhouse gases are significantly impacted by vehicle emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken the role of rating the hybrid vehicles for their impact on air quality. The EPA scores range from 0-10 with 10 being the best hybrid. When considering a hybrid, look for the EPA greenhouse score as well as the air pollution score combined with the highway mileage and the city street mileage.
Be forewarned that price does not indicate value of a hybrid. It is important to compare two versions of the same vehicle. Make sure that all features are very similar in both EXCEPT for one item: the hybrid is projected to get a few more miles per gallon than the regular version. The following is a simple cost-of-fuel formula to help you decide the VALUE of the hybrid car compared to the sticker PRICE of the same vehicle:
Annual miles driven multiplied by the current cost of a gallon of gas and then divided by the estimated miles per gallon will yield an estimate of the cost of fuel for each of the vehicles.
This estimate should help with the decision to purchase a hybrid car. Is it a wise investment compared to the version that is not a hybrid. Of course, if the sticker price is not an issue and you prefer to send a message to vehicle manufacturers, then the hybrid vehicle is the one for you. You will be making a statement to the automakers that conscientious consumers require environmentally friendly automobiles.
