ALT-7 Hybrid Overview
Turn on the television or flip through a magazine and eventually you'll happen across the phrase "going green." Becoming environmentally conscious is a hot topic of conversation these days and usually turns to a discussion of hybrid vehicles. A hybrid is any vehicle that uses two or more sources of energy to directly or indirectly provide propulsion power. The most common type of hybrid is the electric-gasoline powered engine. However, the term "hybrid" can also refer to those engines which use a combination of different fuels such as petroleum and ethanol.
Although hybrid vehicles have become more popular in the media, they aren't a new idea. Vehicles with multiple power sources have been around for years. Mopeds, with their combination of pedal power and gasoline, were popular alternatives to automobiles during the fuel crisis of the 1970s. Buses used for public transportation in cities like Seattle, Washington use a combination of diesel and electricity, as do large trucks used in mining operations. Submarines can also use both diesel and electric power sources, but most use nuclear power in addition to electricity.
Common misconceptions about hybrid vehicles haven't helped their popularity with consumers. Potential owners fear that a new hybrid in their driveway will require being "plugged in" overnight or that they won't have enough power to keep up with other cars on the highway. Neither of these statements is true. New hybrids with increased horsepower accelerate faster than their conventional counterparts while obtaining better fuel economy and no extension cords or new outlet installation is required to keep the battery charged.
There are two main types of hybrid cars currently on the market. The most common is the "full hybrid," a system allowing both the electric and gasoline engines to provide power to the wheels. With this system, the vehicle switches from gasoline power to the electric motor when stopped, as at a red light, resulting in better fuel economy. "Mild hybrids," use the electric motor to boost the performance of the gasoline engine for extra power. The kinetic energy created when braking in hybrid cars recharges the onboard battery and some hybrids generate electricity by using the combustion engine to recharge the battery by spinning an electrical generator.
If we are to believe the advertisements, hybrid cars are the answer to all our environmental prayers, the way we'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen our dependence on gasoline, a rapidly diminishing resource. But are hybrid vehicles really the answer? Although these vehicles have improved fuel efficiency and are an undeniable technological advance, they aren't without their own unique problems. The batteries, which provide the electric power to these vehicles are expensive and add weight, reducing the hybrid's efficiency. Additionally, there are no environmentally sound methods for disposal of the batteries, a valid concern when considering the long term environmental effects of hybrid vehicles.
With the recent rise in gasoline prices, the promise of improved fuel efficiently makes hybrid vehicles sound attractive. While hybrids typically get 48 to 60 mpg, a 20% to 35% improvement over fuel efficient gasoline powered vehicles, the cost of purchasing a hybrid can be as much as 25% higher than their mainstream counterparts. Although their cost is higher, there is a tax break for new owners. Hybrids purchased or placed into service after December 31, 2005 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $3,400.
The days of hybrid vehicles belonging only to trendy, ecologically conscious celebrities are gone. As gasoline prices continue to climb and natural resources become scarce, our dependence on alternative methods of transportation will cease to be a luxury and will become essential.
