How to Select the Right Hybrid for You

How to Select the Right Hybrid for You

Planning to go green and buy a hybrid? You have to know a few things first to make sure that you’re getting an efficient one that best suits your needs. Hybrid vehicles come in many forms today and also operate through various means and mechanisms. Here are some guidelines which will help you select the right one.

What Technologies are Available?

1. Idle-off capability is when the engine automatically shuts down when the hybrid vehicle is braking, idling or coasting. The engine can also easily turn back on once the driver releases the brake and steps on the accelerator.

2. Regenerative braking is when the electric motor takes over when the car is slowing down. It also doubles as a generator in which energy lost while the hybrid vehicle is braking can be converted into electric power that recharges the battery.

3. Power assist and engine downsizing is when the electric motor kicks in to help move the car during acceleration. The size of the engine is virtually smaller since both the electric motor and engine combine in providing power.

4. Electric-only is when the electric motor solely provides power for the vehicle when running at low speeds or when starting.

5. Extended battery-electric range is when the electric motor can provide power for the vehicle when running over a distance of 20 to 60 miles. Afterwards, the battery can easily be recharged by plugging into an external electric power source. The gasoline engine kicks in after the range has been covered by the electric motor.

Learn how to define the type of hybrid vehicle you are getting. Mild hybrids use the first three technologies mentioned earlier while full hybrids use the first four. There are also plug-in hybrid vehicles that use all five but are not yet available to the general public.

There are muscle hybrids that come in the form of SUVs which are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly compared to their conventional counterparts. Some hybrid vehicles may use only one or two technologies but still aim to improve mileage and ecological effects.

Questions to Ask

Is it fuel efficient? What is the average range that the electric motor can cover before the gasoline engine kicks in? Does it have idle-off capability? Check the gas mileage and engine size to determine if the hybrid vehicle you are getting can truly help you save more. Some hybrid vehicles are very mild in which a minor technology may only be incorporated. Saving even 1 to 2 gallons of fuel a day more can be quite cost-effective.

Is it environmentally friendly? Check the emission of the vehicle. Hybrids should have very low or zero emission which minimizes the risk of exhausting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Find out the electric motor capabilities since these are the times when gasoline byproducts are prevented and reduced. There are various sources of power available which reduce pollutants like fuel cells, hydrogen and electricity. Find out if any of these are incorporated in your vehicle.

What are its other features? Check the interior and exterior of the hybrid vehicle just as you would when buying a conventional one. Determine if the size is right for your or your family, determine the quality of the materials used if the overall structure is safe for highway driving and compare the advantages and key features with other models. Some hybrids don’t look as stylish as gas models but there are also hybrids that look exactly like their conventional counterparts.

How much is it? The initial sum of buying a hybrid vehicle is usually higher compared to conventional cars. However, you will discover that you can easily make up for the initial cost by saving more on fuel. Again, you need to check the mileage, rate of consumption and possible tax deductions to see if the hybrid can really be cost-effective in the years to come. Also consider repair and maintenance expenses in the future.

Advantages to Look for When Selecting

The United States Federal government provides significant tax breaks to individuals who opt for hybrid vehicles. The tax break will depend on the tax bracket once the buyer sends a file. There are states that provide special parking areas as well for hybrid vehicles so drivers get to save more on parking fees. Some insurance policies may provide special offers to owners of hybrids on repair and maintenance too.

There are SULEVs or super ultra low-emission vehicles, ULEVs or ultra low-emission vehicles and PZEVs or partial zero emission vehicles that are very clean and quiet. Drivers get to enjoy smooth and peaceful driving without the environmental hazards and automobile manufacturers are greatly investing in hybrids with very stylish and powerful models that can go up against the best gasoline-powered ones.risks. Some of the largest

How Did Hybrid Cars Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy?

How Did Hybrid Cars Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy?

Hybrid cars can run from 20mpg to 60mpg. How do they do it? Aside from using both the electric motor and combustion engine to draw propulsion, hybrid cars have several tricks to squeeze every mile out of each gallon of gasoline. Hybrid electric vehicles have:

Lightweight materials.

One of the surest ways to increase the mileage of the car is to reduce its overall weight. The lighter the car is, the higher the fuel mileage will be. So instead of steel, lightweight materials such as magnesium and aluminum or composite materials like carbon fibers are used for hybrid vehicles.

Smaller engine.

The weight of the car is directly related to its fuel consumption. And because larger engines are relatively heavier, they require more energy just to propel their own weight, thus consuming more fuel. Also big engines have large cylinder displacement that requires more fuel just to stop.
Since hybrid vehicles utilize other sources of power, they do not require large engines. Instead, the smaller and lighter engine equates to better fuel mileage. The Honda Civic Hybrid, for example uses a 1.3 L iVTEC 4-cylinder engine as opposed to the typical 1.8 L or 2.0 L engine for the non-hybrid counterpart.

Improved aerodynamics.

When you are driving at a high speed, most work of the engine goes into pushing the car through the air. Hybrid cars are designed in such away that its frontal area chops through the air, reducing drag and increasing fuel economy. The Honda Insight is the best example of how a car can increase its fuel mileage by using a smoother aerodynamic design.

Energy conservation.

Since hybrid cars do not rely solely on internal combustion engines that run continuously even at stops, they can shut off the engine temporarily whenever do not need it. It will automatically turn on when you step on the gas pedal.

Energy recovery.

Much of the energy is lost when braking, more so at high speeds. Hybrid vehicles are designed to recapture this lost energy and store it back in the battery to be used later.

Special tires.

Tires are specifically used to minimize noise, provide a smooth ride, and give good traction in different weather conditions. But tires are rarely used to optimize efficiency. They cause a great deal of drag while driving. Hybrid cars on the other hand use low-rolling resistance tires. They are inflated to a higher air pressure and are stiffer which result in reduced drag and better fuel efficiency.

Gas Power and Electric Power Combined

Gas Power and Electric Power Combined

Gasoline powered vehicle
As the name implies, a gasoline powered vehicle uses a combustion engine as a source of power. It has a fuel tank that supplies gasoline to the engine which drives the transmission and turns the wheels.

Pros
With a single full tank, a gasoline-powered vehicle can run several times longer than an electric car.
A gallon of gasoline is much denser than batteries in terms of energy. For example, 1 gallon of gasoline (7 pounds) produces the same amount of power as 1000 pounds of batteries.
It can keep up with the traffic on the road.
You have the widest car options. From compact to full-size sedan, from pickup trucks to SUVs, from minivans to luxury cars, you can jump from one car dealer to another and still get the best car varieties.
You can also choose from different types and sizes of engines.

Cons
With the soaring prices of fuel, getting a gas tank full is very expensive. Combustion engine wastes a lot of energy and consumes a lot of fuel. It also emits pollutants that contribute to the depletion of the environment.
Electric vehicle

An electric vehicle has a battery that supplies power to the electric motor, which then drives the transmission and turns the wheels.

Pros
Since it does not consume fuel, an electric vehicle emits no toxic fumes which is good news for the environment.

Although the battery pack is expensive, electric power is cheaper as compared to pump prices.

Cons
The battery can power the car short distances on a single charging.
Batteries of an electric car take several hours to charge.
Electric cars cannot keep up with the traffic.
Its top speed is slower than gasoline cars.

Hybrid Car – Problem solved

Hybrid cars get the best of both engines. It uses both an electric motor and a combustion engine to drive the vehicle. That means that a hybrid can either run on an electric motor and use the advantages of an electric car, or run on a combustion engine and use the edge of a gasoline powered car. Or, it can run on both at the same time. Depending on the type of hybrid car, you can have the best fuel efficiency with a performance similar or even better than its non-hybrid counterpart.

Electric Propulsion Systems

Electric Propulsion Systems

Hybrids are planning to use electric propulsion systems which prove to be very efficient and also environmentally friendly. There may be various approaches and methods in order to accomplish movement using electric power but the main idea is still the same. These systems are already working and will further help develop alternate fuel.

What is Electric Propulsion?

Electric propulsion is the acceleration of gases in order to produce propulsive thrust through electric and magnetic body forces, electric body forces or electric heating. The electric propulsion system is usually incorporated in rocket science wherein it manages energy enough to produce a powerful thrust. An electric propulsion system is an alternative to nuclear propulsion system. The total thrust is less powerful compared to a nuclear rocket but still enough to produce effects.
According to a number of studies, any engine used as a primary source of such powerful propulsion must produce exhaust velocities of around 10 to 20 km/s. There are also storable chemical systems used in rockets with an exhaust velocity of around 5 km/s but overall is less efficient.
Propulsion systems that do not require energy through chemical reactions are still needed. There are electric propulsion thrusters able to produce exhaust velocities of around 10 to 20 km/s which increases payload and reduces propellant mass. The consequences however, are less powerful thrusters consuming larger quantities of power.

The 3 Categories of Electric Propulsion

Electro thermal propulsion is when the propellant is electrically heated then isentropically expanded through a C/D or convergent/divergent nozzle. The system works as electrical energy heats propellants that produce gases as a result. The gases are sent through the C/D nozzle creating thrust. Catalyzed hydrazine or another neutral gas is used in thrusters like arc jets and resistojets.
Arc jets can also be used to heat the propellants via an electrical arc discharge. The arc in the arc jet is a beam of electrons produced from the cathode tip then gathers at the anode. Since an arc jet has a cathode and an anode, a constrictor is also present which is a narrow pathway between the two charges.
Electrostatic thrusters are also called ion thrusters. These use an ionized propellant accelerated through electric fields applied directly like gridded ion thrusters and Hall thrusters. The technique of propulsion is also known as ion propulsion technique since ions are mainly used in the process. Electrostatic energy is used to produce propulsion.

Drivers Struggle with Rising Car Insurance Rates : Save Money by Maintaining Good Credit and Keeping Policies Current

Drivers Struggle with Rising Car Insurance Rates : Save Money by Maintaining Good Credit and Keeping Policies Current

Auto insurance rates continue to rise, adding pressure to cash-strapped consumers. Some drivers are letting their car insurance policies lapse, by either not renewing on time or failing to pay their bills, according to Insurance.com. In light of this worrisome trend, the company is urging drivers to explore savings opportunities and payment options—rather than go without car insurance.

CLEVELAND (Business Wire EON) December 17, 2008 — “Every day we’re hearing from consumers who let their car insurance policies expire—by either not paying their bills on time, or allowing a gap between the end of their current policy and the time a new policy is acquired,” said Sam Belden, Vice President of Strategic Alliances at Insurance.com, the leading online independent auto insurance agency in the United States. “Not only is this dangerous, it also ends up costing drivers with lapsed policies thousands of dollars when they go to get car insurance again. Having a lapsed policy can be a red flag for insurance companies.”

Insurance.com offers these ideas for protecting your rates and your credit.

Avoid a Lapse in Coverage—Never ignore you car insurance bill. Driving without insurance is against the law and you’ll be personally liable if you have an accident. And, a short-term decision like letting your policy lapse will have big, long-term consequences—your rates may be 25 to 50% higher.

Explore Payment Options—Many carriers offer discounts of up to 15% if you pay your bill all at once. If you’re not able to afford that lump sum payment, ask your company about monthly payment plans. There may be a small fee for a payment plan, but some carriers will waive that fee if you elect to pay by Electronic Funds Transfer.

Make a Partial Payment—If you cannot afford to pay your entire insurance bill, talk to your company about making a partial payment when your bill is due. Some companies will continue your coverage, as long as you pay something—but others may require full payment. There’s no harm in asking if a smaller payment will keep your policy in force.

Shop for a New Policy—If you have not shopped for car insurance in several years, now may be a good time to compare rates. New customers reported an average annual savings of $595 when they shopped and switched carriers at Insurance.com.

Protect Your Credit —Missed payments can lower your credit rating, making it more expensive to get car insurance coverage in the future. If a credit card company or department store offers deferred billing, look carefully at the terms, so that you’re not in deeper debt in the New Year.

those who are resolving to save more money in the New Year, Belden also noted that auto insurance policies can be an easy—but often overlooked—source for savings. “Many consumers are unaware of the numerous discounts offered by their insurance carriers, discounts that add up to hundreds of dollars a year in lower rates,” he said. “Particularly in this economy, drivers should regularly review policies to see if they qualify for lower rates.” Such discounts include:

Mileage discounts if you drive less than 10,000 miles each year. Hybrid discounts if you’ve recently purchased an eco-friendly car. Early shopping discounts if you renew two weeks before your policy expires. “Good student” discounts for high school and college students with a B or better average. Defensive driving course discount if you’ve taken a class within 3 years. Insurance.com’s 3rd Quarter RateWatch for Car Insurance found that the lowest car insurance quotes, on average, were up 3% over the previous quarter, rising from $1893 per year to $1949 per year. In a prosperous economy, the hike might be shrugged off or even overlooked entirely by consumers. However, with the start of the holiday shopping season and consumers facing high grocery bills, energy costs and job losses, Insurance.com predicts that more drivers will be looking for ways to save.

ABOUT INSURANCE.COM

Insurance.com is the leading online independent auto insurance agency in the United States. Our innovative technology allows consumers to link directly to the rating systems of more than a dozen top insurance companies. We streamline the shopping process for consumers, empowering them to instantly compare rates and make the smartest decisions for their insurance needs. Since 2000, millions of drivers have benefited from using our online shopping experience or speaking with our expert, licensed agents by phone. Headquartered in Solon, Ohio on the outskirts of Cleveland, Insurance.com also offers information for life, health and home insurance.

Different Types of Vehicles

Different Types of Vehicles

Do you know how many types of vehicles there are in all? Since the creation of the first crude automobile, several models and types have been created to suit the needs of people. These were developed in order to provide a safe, efficient and economical means of transportation. Some are built for luxury, others for practicality and some for environmental purposes.

Cruder Forms

Vehicles were first made thousands of years ago. The earliest forms of vehicles were actually living things like horses, elephants and camels. With the invention of the wheel around 3000 B.C., chariots, carts and horse-drawn carriages came into existence. The wheel has certainly paved the way for modern transportation as it is still very much present today.

Cycles were created around the 19th century which comes in many forms. Bicycles are one of the most common types of vehicles available today. There are also tricycles, quadricycles and unicycles. These vehicles mainly use a chain that goes around the wheels for propulsion. Cycling is a very important action in order to keep the transportation balanced. Later on, motorcycles were invented which incorporated a motor engine instead of manual pedals.

Origin of Alternate Fuel Sources

Electric vehicles or EVs were invented in the 1830′s which uses one or more electric motors. The rotary or linear motors propel the vehicle through the wheels. Linear motors are used by tracked vehicles such as trains and MRTs. There are several sources of energy used to move the vehicle like an on-board RESS or rechargeable energy storage system, batteries, on-board super capacitors and direct connection to energy-generating plants. Fuel cells and nuclear energy have also shown to be very viable in propelling vehicles.

Steam engines are another alternate fuel source which uses an external combustion engine or ECE. ECEs are less efficient compared to ICEs but proper configurations can be made for the fuel burner in order to emit very low amounts of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and other harmful gases making it environmentally friendly in the process. Steam cars do have a problem when starting from cold leading to the development of flash boilers.

The Automobile

Automobiles are the most common type of vehicle. The majority of automobiles today are powered by gasoline or diesel engines. Automobiles use an internal combustion engine or ICE which can be highly polluting due to the constant burning of harmful gases. This type of vehicle has shown to be very powerful, convenient and aesthetic as well making it the most popular of all time.

Gasoline engine vehicles are lighter and able to work at optimum rotational speeds. The invention of the electric starter has boosted its popularity beating steam and electric cars in the process. Carburetor and fuel injection are some of the most useful discoveries in enhancing automobile performance.

There are various innovations in the engine allowing exhaust gases to be less harmful. Others combine efforts to minimize the greenhouse effect by reducing emissions to zero. Gasoline engines are capable of running with different ethanol concentrations. Some may run on 15%, 85% or even 100% ethanol. Fuel burn efficiency of gasoline engine vehicles are around 27%.

Diesel engine vehicles are more cost-effective compared to gasoline engine ones because of their 50% fuel burn efficiency. However, power and performance is also compromised due to less concentration of fuel. Diesel also releases exhaust gases into the atmosphere from soot particles. 100% biodiesel has been developed to improve the downside of these vehicles.

Other Transports

A train is a series of vehicles moving along a guided track or rail. A separate locomotive provides power to propel the entire train. Diesel or electricity is the usual energy source of trains while older versions were dominantly powered by steam engines. There are special kinds of trains with special tracks like rubber-tired underground, high-speed and monorails. Some trains can have more than one locomotive or coach.

A road train has a prime mover pulling one or more trailers. Trucks are the simpler version of this. Since the weight and maneuverability are a challenge, these vehicles often require several wheels for more control. Speed should also be watched meticulously to make travel as safe as possible. Diesel engines usually power big heavy trucks and road trains for fuel efficiency and power.

Other unique types of vehicles are amphibious vehicles and snowmobiles. Amphibians can run on both land and water making them very versatile. There are amphibious bicycles, cars, trucks and ATVs developed for passenger and official use.

The advantages provided by amphibians made them very useful for military operations. Snowmobiles are propelled by a built-in track made of Kevlar composite or rubber in order to effectively move through snow. These are also powered by a motor engine that consumes gas for fuel. Tanks use the same mechanism as snowmobiles by running on steel tracks.

A Brief Guide to Hybrid Vehicles

A Brief Guide to Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars were the stuff of dreams centuries ago. Nobody ever thought that creating a vehicle independent from fuel was possible. Fortunately with the continuing development of hybrid technology, more efficient and practical vehicles have been created. In the recent years the campaign for global warming has brought the attention of the public. Hybrid cars are now becoming steadily popular available in different types from compact sedans to SUVs.

Environmental issues are not the only reason that has made the public favor hybrid cars. Rising gas prices is also one of the major reasons why people prefer hybrid cars than conventional ones. Its also practical in suburban environments where you don’t really need horsepower but gas mileage.

Various Hybrid cars

There are different types of hybrid vehicles. They can vary from the simplest wheelbarrows to ships. No matter what form they are, these vehicles help in reducing greenhouse and noise emissions. Although these vehicles are expensive due to their unique structures, developments will continue to provide more alternatives to the public. These cars may not compare to conventional ones with a 200 horsepower but why would you need that if you only need 20 in the streets?

The simplest hybrid would be the single wheeled vehicles. These are wheelbarrows famously depicted with sails. This can be seen in Chinese sailing carriages.

The next is two wheeled vehicles. These are usually cycle type vehicles. The best example would be the Moped and electric bicycles. They are powered by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine in comb

ination with the rider’s muscles. This concept was also used in the 1800′s by motorcycles. The electric bicycle can either be a parallel or a series hybrid.

Hybrid vehicles are not just limited to private cars. There are also hybrid power trains used by heavy vehicles. There are diesel or turbo electric buses, railway locomotives, heavy duty vehicles, hydraulic machinery and ships.

In ships a diesel engine drives the electric generator or hydraulic pump which in turn powers one or more hydraulic or electric motors. Sails and engines were early forms of hybrids which may be used again due to rising fuel costs.

More developments are continually being made in hybrid structures and systems for efficiency. Today buying a hybrid car is expensive but it will be beneficial in the long run. It does not just save fuel costs but also removes pollution that can harm the health of the people and take whatever it is left of the environment.