Hybrid cars have gotten a lot of attention in the last three or four years, and now, with the rising cost of oil and gasoline, hybrids are expected to be hotter than ever. Here are some questions and answers about hybrids.
1. What is a hybrid car?
A vehicle is hybrid when it combines two or more sources of energy. Hybrid cars almost always have a gasoline engine and an auxiliary electric motor system that runs on rechargeable batteries.
We normally assume that the goal of hybridization is to save fuel, and that’s definitely the case with most compacts and smaller sedans. But in fact, some of the more upscale hybrid models are more concerned with increasing power and “performance” without the usual loss in fuel efficiency.
2. Do you have to plug in your hybrid at night?
You might assume that because a hybrid car runs some of the time on its battery pack, you need to plug it in at night and recharge the batteries (just like a golf cart!). But this is almost never the case. Hybrid cars recharge their batteries “on the fly” by making use of unused energy that is normally wasted during normal driving.
For example, most have a system that captures some of the energy used in applying the brakes and converts it into electrical energy to charge the battery. This is called “regenerative braking”.
If hybrids had larger battery packs that you could plug into the electrical grid, they could transfer more of the vehicle’s power requirements to electric motors and use even less gasoline. But most car manufacturers have been reluctant to go this route, arguing that today’s batteries could not handle the extra charge and more extensive use.
3. Do you have to replace the batteries?
The short answer is no. Hybrid batteries are typically warranted for 80,000 to 100,000 miles. The US Department of Energy tested them to 160,000 miles and stopped testing because they still ran almost like new. Some taxi drivers have put over 200,000 miles in a Toyota Prius with no battery problems.
In either case, since hybrid battery packs have hundreds of cells, individual cells or modules could be replaced if there were any issues.
The best way to keep Nickel Metal Hydride batteries performing at their best is to keep their charge between 40% and 60%, never fully charged and never fully depleted to zero power.
4. How long have hybrids been around?
Alternatives to the ICE (internal combustion engine) in automobiles have been around since at least 1900. The first patent for a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle was filed in 1905. Alternative fuel sources were phased out as a result of two things. First was the development of the electric self-starter (in 1913) which made gasoline-powered cars much easier to start.
The second development was the advent of the cheap oil era that began around the time of World War I. This completely removed the economic incentive to seek alternative sources of fuel. This is only beginning to change now, 80 years later.
5. Are hybrids expensive to buy?
As of January 2006, there were 10 different hybrid models available from $19,000 to $53,000. The most popular models, the Insight, Civic and Prius, cost less than $30,000. According to automakers’ announcements, there should be more than 50 models available by 2010. As sales and production increase, prices should not be significantly higher than standard ICE models.
Even with the slightly higher average cost for a hybrid, typically around $3,000, these additional upfront costs can be offset by federal and state tax incentives, lower maintenance costs, and exceptionally strong resale values.
6. Are hybrids small and light-duty?
Early hybrid models emphasized fuel economy, so they were much lighter vehicles and had smaller engines. The goal was to make up for the loss of power in the ICE with additional power from the electric motor. This would result in essentially the same level of power and burn less fuel.
But this principle doesn’t have to result in underpowered vehicles. In fact, the Lexus Rx400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid both have a 270-horsepower power system. And the Lexus GS 450h hybrid sedan is expected to make over 300 horsepower and go from 0-60 in under six seconds. Taking the quest for hybrid power even further, the Toyota Volta concept venicle has a 408-hp power plant.
7. What is the main reason people buy hybrid vehicles?
Saving money on fuel is the first thing most buyers think about. But in fact, the amount saved on fuel over the life of the vehicle may not equal the additional cost of purchasing the hybrid.
Obviously, there are other factors at play in the growing popularity of hybrids. Some people want to make a “green” statement, others simply want to be first on the block with a new and promising technology.
8. Will hybrid technology save the environment?
No doubt about it. Hybrids are becoming more and more popular. In the past five years, hybrid sales in the US have grown 2,000 percent. Sales in 2000 were 9,500, and by the end of 2005, they had grown to over 200,000.
But even this higher number is only 1.2% of the 17 million new cars sold last year. If each hybrid gave twice the current fuel economy, from an average of 20 mpg to, say, 40 mpg, that would save about 100,000 gallons of gasoline per day. But that amount pales in comparison to the total daily gasoline consumption in the US: 400 million gallons! Savings of 100,000 gallons would bring that number down to… 399,900,000 gallons.
Not very significant. Obviously, governments and automakers will have to start taking hybrid technology very seriously before it makes a significant difference.
9. Does that mean hybrid technology is just a fad?
No, he does not do it. Because the only path to a sustainable future is to find a fuel mix that reduces our near-total dependence on oil. Hydrogen-powered vehicles will be part of that future, as will fuel cells, diesel, and alternative fuels like ethanol.
But what is almost certain is that every promising solution will involve some kind of hybrid combination of technologies. So today’s hybrid vehicles are an important and necessary step towards a much brighter and more sustainable future.