Home | Community | Green on the Go: Hybrid Cars

Green on the Go: Hybrid Cars

21 May, 2011 06:28:00 By Kacey Schneider

Tired of pulling up to the gas pump and forking over $30, $40, even $50 or more to fill up your tank? Not only is driving to the only gas station in the area an annoyance, but then paying a small fortune just so you can drive back to the Tamarindo area is frustrating to anyone. Plus, cars that run solely on gasoline are harmful to the environment and contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect and global warming. However, there is a solution to these dilemmas: hybrid cars. Hybrid cars are vehicles which combine two ore more sources of power that directly or indirectly provide the propulsion power. Most hybrid cars on the road right now combine gasoline and electricity, but there are some diesel-electric cars out there too. In an ideal world, 100% electric cars would be the ultimate environmental choice. However, electric cars work by re-charging their battery, which is a slow and inconvenient process, and they can only go between 50 and 100 miles before needing to be re-charged. Cars that run 100% on gasoline can go about 300 miles before needing more gas and can be re-fueled easily, but the fuel is both expensive and harmful to the environment. Hence, the hybrid car was created as a useful compromise between the two. The two different motors involved in a hybrid car – the electric motor and the gas motor – are what contribute to the car’s success. Electric engines use no energy when in idle mode, and they use less energy at low speeds than gas motors, making them perfect for those rush hour, stop-and-go traffic days. Gas motors, on the other hand, do better at high speeds and can deliver more power for a given motor weight, such as when you start going above 40 mph. One of the arguments against hybrid cars is the initial cost of them. To buy one, it’s often $3,000 or more than a standard gasoline-only car, and it’s debatable if the cost difference is actually made up in fuel savings or not. However, what’s not debatable is the fact that hybrids are much more environmentally friendly and greener than a standard vehicle. Ultimately, hybrid cars get more mileage per gallon of gasoline, so not only are you helping your wallet because you have to fill your tank up less often, but you’re helping the environment because you’re not emitting as much carbon dioxide waste. Even with a mild hybrid car, you can improve your gas mileage by 17 to 19 mpg, and with a more advanced model, you can improve up to 50 or 60 mpg. Some of the most popular and efficient hybrid cars are the following: 2010 Honda Insight EX, 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid, 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, 2008 Toyota Prius, and the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited. These cars have been proven to provide excellent fuel mileage without sacrificing performance. However, any hybrid is better than a gasoline-only car, and if you’re interested keeping your wallet fuller and the environment green, investing in a hybrid car is the way to go.