[30 Mar 2009]

Hybrids Cars

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Features You may Want for Your Hybrids Cars

Hybrid cars were not created equal. Some produce more power. Some hybrid cars are designed for maximum fuel efficiency. Some hybrid cars are built for city driving; others are made to turn heads. Most have unique features that further improve the quality of driving and fuel economy. When you are shopping for one, take note of the following features.

hybrid car battery

Regenerative braking system. In conventional gasoline-powered cars, all the kinetic energy (energy in motion) is lost and wasted during braking. Hybrid car retaking this K.E. (kinetic energy) through the regenerative braking system back to the battery for future use. The regenerative braking system increases fuel economy and reduces wear to the brake system.

Low-rolling resistance tires. Tires are frequently not determined as a better factor in increasing the fuel economy. But in hybrid cars, they use low-rolling resistance tires to improve fuel consumption rate. These stiffer, narrower, and inflated tires reduce the drag against the ground.

Fuel economy. Not all hybrids are fuel efficient. Some are made to perform. And even if the hybrids are made to get the longest miles out of every gallon of gas, some are still better than others. For instance, the Ford Escape Hybrid runs 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on highway. Toyota Prius runs 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highway. The Honda Civic Hybrid runs 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highway. When selecting what hybrid car to buy, observe of these differences.

Periodic engine shut off. Idling consumes fuel too. So, most hybrid cars mechanically turn off its combustion engine temporarily during stops. A hybrid car with this feature is most idealistic if you drive in stop-and-go traffic most of the time.

Smaller and more efficient engine. Logically, the car doesn’t actually need a V6 or a V8 in order to run because most of the time, your machine only requires twenty horsepower to move. The extra horsepower is only needed during acceleration. This is the reason how come hybrid cars are so efficient. They use smaller engines.

Safety, Comfort, and Space. These are 3 issues that are questionable to hybrid cars. Generally, hybrid cars are as safe, as comfortable, and as spacious as their non-hybrid counterpart. But if you are more interested about not getting these 3 in a hybrid car, you should not have a problem. There are various hybrid cars on the market nowadays that focus on these 3 areas.