What are Hybrid Cars?

For those out of the loop, hybrid cars are automobiles that are capable of running on more than one fuel sources. These new generation four-wheelers can run on a rechargeable electric battery along with a gasoline engine. It is their high fuel efficiency that makes these cars more affordable than normal automobiles. These cars also produce much less emissions than normal gasoline automobiles. These benefits of Hybrid Cars make them highly useful from the environmental point of view.

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While there are definite advantages of hybrid cars, environmentalists still have complaints about certain disadvantages of hybrid cars. Hybrid car batteries use nickel metal hydride which are said to have a negative impact on the environment. It is said to be one of the major environmental problems with Hybrid Cars. Whatever the Hybrid Cars pros and cons, it cannot be doubted that these are fast becoming the top choice for car buyers.

History of Hybrid Cars

Contrary to popular notion, hybrid cars are not anything new. The hybrid car history is a long one. Go through a time line of hybrid history and know how the vehicle came into existence.

The 1600s

The design for hybrid automobiles, or cars capable of running on two energy sources, was first developed in the mid-17th century by a Flemish astronomer and Jesuit priest named Ferdinand Verbiest. This intelligent priest wanted to develop a special miniature car for Chinese Emperor Khang His. He wanted this four-wheeler to be unmanned and steam-operated. He worked for 15 years, from 1665 to 1680, to make this a reality. He could not create the actual car but he is credited in the history of Hybrid vehicles as being the first person to design a hybrid car.

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The early 1900s

The blueprint for the modern hybrid automobiles was first designed and developed in 1901 by German automotive designer Ferdinand Porsche. It was in the same year that the car actually saw the light of the day. Known as the “Mixte”, it was the first hybrid car of the world. It was the first vehicle in automobile history to use both gasoline and electric power. The car was able to notch up 50 kms in an hour, which was quite a remarkable speed at that time. When Porsche joined the 1901 Exelberg Rally with his creation, he immediately came on tops.

The car generator was powered by a gasoline engine and an electric engine. This method is still used in modern hybrid engines, albeit with greater enhancements which results in better performance and fuel economy.

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Following the release of “Mixte”, hybrid technology was implemented almost immediately in trains, planes and even watercrafts. But it took nearly a century for the technology to be applied in automobiles. The intervening years saw repeated attempts by various four-wheeler manufacturers to commercialize hybrids.

The first attempt at gaining ownership over hybrid technology happened in 1905. The year saw engineer H. Piper filing for patent for his hybrid automobile that used petrol as well as electric energy for power.

1915 and beyond

In 1915, the manufacturers of Woods Motor Vehicle produced the first Dual Power hybrid vehicle. This innovative breakthrough saw the car engines being powered by electric motor at speeds below 25 km/hr and run by a gasoline engine thereafter till it a maximum speed of 55 km/hr is reached. It let the car being operated on two different power sources rather than being operated by a single power output produced by the combination of two separate power sources. Sadly, the Dual Power vehicles were produced only for three years. Only 600 such vehicles were manufactured before production stopped in 1918. This was partly because of Henry Ford’s self-starting four-wheelers that were run only on gasoline. Massive competition from Ford gasoline vehicles and assembly line productions drove the hybrids towards extinction. Alternative-fuel automobiles only remained a stuff of dreams for environmentalists.

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The 1960s

It was not until 1969 that hybrids resurfaced. However, the power output was quite low during this period. GM’s 512 could notch up only 40 miles per hour. Scientists, engineers and inventors tried to create more efficient vehicles that could achieve more speed. American scientist Victor Wouk created numerous hybrid car designs at this time. His efforts earned him the nickname “Godfather of the Hybrid”. Wouk is regarded as a pioneer in electric and hybrid automobile development.

The late 1990s

Commercial sale of hybrid cars began only in 1997. 1997 was an eventful year in the history of the Hybrid Car. It was at this time when Toyota and Audi released its range of hybrid automobiles into the market. It was the sale of Toyota’s Prius and Audi hybrid cars that virtually started a deluge of similar vehicles. Nearly every major automobile manufacturer in the United States started releasing a hybrid car or its prototype, such as an electric vehicle. However, none of them managed to match the success of these two automobile makers. Thus, most car makers stopped hybrid production within two years.

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Hybrid industry received another fillip with the launch of Honda’s “Insight Hybrid” in 1999. It was the first hybrid car to witness mass production in the United States. The Insight Hybrid was capable of running up to 70 miles per gallon on highways.

2000 to present

The release of Insight was followed by the launch of Toyota’s Prius Hybrid in 2000 and Honda’s Civic Hybrid in 2002. Soon, more and more people started to buy Hybrid Cars making Porsche’s concept a success. It was from this time that Hybrid cars sales began in earnest.

Today, almost every major car manufacturer across the world has hybrids in the pipeline or has plans for launching one in the coming years. There are many hybrid sports cars in production. New hybrid cars are becoming cheaper, safer and more capable. Since 2005, the US government has been offering a tax reduction of up to $5,000 on hybrid vehicles. Honda has recently launched the cheapest hybrid car in the U.S. This has taken hybrid cars prices further down.

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Time has changed a lot since the initial days of hybrid cars history. These days, you can find lots of hybrid car information flooding newspapers and magazines. There are also news on hybrid car statistics, hybrid car comparisons and votes for best Hybrid Cars on the print and electronic media. Consumers are spoilt for choice while purchasing hybrid cars. Growing concern about nature is also making hybrid cars very popular. This is like a dream come true for all responsible citizens who care about the world and its upkeep.

Nowadays, the fuel rates are rising day by day. That is why we need fuel efficient cars to survive in the market, to keep pace with the rising fuel costs. There are many top fuel efficient cars available in the market, which can help you save your money. The main thing is that when you look for fuel efficient cars, you shouldn’t compromise on the safety and comfort of the car to look for fuel efficiency. That is why we’ve made a list of the top fuel efficient cars for you – which are not only the best of all the fuel savers, but also have great engineering, motoring, and driving capability. After all, it’s the whole package that counts, right?

Audi A4

First on our list comes the Audi A4. The EPA estimates for this are 23 MPH city / 30 MPG highway / 26 MPG combined. This particular car has an amazing four-cylinder engine that has a turbochargers and a direct fuel injection, this is incidentally the same formula that Ford uses for its EcoBoost engines. The engine of the Audio is a bit like V-6, 258 lb-ft of torque, so the acceleration is like a V6. The A4 isn’t just a fuel efficient car, it speaks of good looks, the demeanor and exteriors of the car are classy, the car is also available as a station wagon, and the fuel economy figures are there for all to see. All in all, rather a good choice if you’re looking around in the market to save on fuel costs!

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BMW 335d

Next comes the BMW 335d. the EPA estimates for this one are 23 MPG city / 36 MPG highway / 27 MPG combined. The 335d is diesel-powered, and its proof that there’s much more to diesel than just fuel economy – power too, comes into the equation. There’s torque, which pushes the seat into your back and makes you smile, while driving. The engine of the 335d has 425 lb-ft of torque, and the acceleration of the car is pretty great. This is definitely one of the most brilliant diesel cars sold in the market, if you drive a little faster than usual, you could easily cross the 36 MPG highway figure. When it comes to this car, you need to know that real-world fuel economy is way better than EPA estimates any day.

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Honda Civic GX

A list of fuel efficient cars is incomplete without a Honda, so we have the Honda Civic GX. EPA estimates – 24 MPG city / 36 MPG highway / 28 MPG combined. This car doesn’t use gasoline at all, it instead runs on compressed natural gases, which offers many significant advantages because CNG is cheap and easily available, and it’s also much safer than gasoline. The burning is done cleaning, and there is no heavy hybrid system needed, or even any complicated emissions equipment. So if you want to make a real difference to the environment and to the fuel crisis in the world, and then go for the Honda Civic GX – this is possibly your best choice.

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Ford Fusion Hybrid

Next up, comes the Ford Fusion Hybrid. For this, the EPA fuel economy estimates go as follows – 41 MPG city / 36 MPG highway / 39 MPG combined. This is definitely one of the best hybrid cars in the market, it blends the characteristics of a high-mileage hybrid along with those of a mid-size sedan, and the result is that the Ford Fusion Hybrid feels better and much roomier to drive. The fuel economy is really great, not just in terms of EPA numbers but also in terms of real-world test driving. You’re bound to love the user-configurable computerized dash and the great SYNC system, which add to the technological appeal of the Fusion Hybrid.

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Honda Fit

Fifth, we have the Honda Fit – EPA estimates – 28 MPG city / 35 MPG highway / 31 MPG combined. This is a very versatile small car, and the EPA estimates put the fuel economy to around 30 MPG, but you should have no problem going from mid-to-high-30 in your own Fit! This car is perfect for long drives, for short drives, for drives to the office, for nights out – it’s a perfect little car!

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Hyundai Accent

The Hyundai Accent comes next – EPA estimates – 27 MPG city / 36 MPG highway / 31 MPG combined. This particular car is small, eager and responsive to drive, and the great gas mileage is just the cream of the cake! One of the best choices you could make if you’re looking for the top fuel efficient cars.

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Honda Insight

Then comes the Honda Insight. EPA estimates – 40 MPG city / 43 MPG highway / 41 MPG combined. This was incidentally the first hybrid car to teach people how to drive more economically. This is the cheapest hybrid car sold in America, it may not be as big or as fuel-efficient as the Toyota Prius, but it’s still response and quite entertaining to drive. It’s a nice car to live with; the video-game display gives you real-time feedback.

Image by Miller Honda

MINI Cooper

Next up comes the MINI Cooper. EPA estimates – 28 MPG city / 37 MPG highway / 32 MPG (manual), 25/33/28 (automatic). This has manual transmission and a 118 hp non-turbocharged engine – incidentally this car has got great reviews for its fantastic fuel economy.

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Volkswagen GTI

Ninth on our list comes the Volkswagen GTI – EPA estimates – 24 MG city / 32 MPG highway / 27 MPG combined. The fuel economy for this car is wonderful – it’s 2 MPG less than a Honda Civic which is really an added bonus! This particular model uses a four-cylinder engine with a direct fuel injection and turbocharger. The 200 horsepower GTI gets really great fuel economy, this car is great proof that good cars don’t need to drink up gas in indiscriminate amounts.

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Volkswagen Jetta

Last comes the Volkswagen Jetta – EPA estimates – 30 MPG city / 42 MPG highway / 34 MPG combined. If you are judicious with the acceleration of this car, you can get some really great MPG numbers. It’s a good looking and practical car, easy to drive, and quite fuel-efficient!

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