Structures of Hybrid Vehicles
Global warming has become a major issue in the past year. Although environmental issues are recognized, they are not given that much attention on a wider scale. Now, more and more people are becoming aware of how much mankind has affected the planet. The need for solutions is recognized more than ever to address environmental issues. Due to this hybrid cars are becoming increasingly popular to consumers.
The shift from conventional cars is not just because of environmental concerns but also due to soaring gas prices. Hybrid vehicles bridge the gap between using an SUV and caring for the environment. There have been lots of improvements in the hybrid technology as the millennium came and it will be just a matter of time before it dominates the fuel dependent dominated automobile industry.
The hybrid vehicle drive train
Hybrids come in different types depending on their structures. Although they may differ in some aspects all of them are made with the same purpose. These vehicles are designed to reduce fuel consumption, reduce pollution and noise emissions and provide an alternative for customers.
They come in three structures. The parallel hybrid system has a diesel engine and an electric motor that is connected to a mechanical transmission. A large electrical generator and a motor are combined to replace the starter motor and the alternator.
A series hybrid system has a similar design with a electric battery vehicle. It is also referred to as the Range Extended Electric Vehicle. The difference is the diesel engine drives the electric generator instead of the vehicle's wheels. The electric generator in turn charges the battery and powers the electric motor which propels the vehicle. A super capacitor or a flywheel can be added to recapture braking energy which reduces the losses in the battery.
The combined hybrid system, as it names suggests is a combination of the parallel and the series system. It is incorporated with power split devices so that the power paths placed from the engine to the wheels can be either electrical or mechanical. This is done to decouple the power supplied by the diesel engine from the power needed by the driver.
If a consumer wishes to convert his or her vehicle aftermarket kits are available. The owner has the option of buying a glider and a hybrid or an electric motor from the automaker. He or she will then receive the vehicle installed with the hybrid drive train structure.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Midsize Hybrid Cars on the Market
Midsize Hybrid Cars on the Market
There are 4 competing midsize hybrid electric vehicles on the market: Honda Accord Hybrid, Toyota Camry, Lexus GS 450h, and the Nissan Altima Hybrid.
Honda Accord Hybrid.
Even before the release of the Hybrid, the Honda Accord was the second best selling car in the country. But the Accord Hybrid did not live up to the title "best-seller". After soaring success in 2005, car sales plummeted when its rival the Toyota Camry Hybrid hit the market. In 2007, the hybrid version of the Accord was discontinued.
However, buying an Accord Hybrid will give you a good 30mpg/37mpg fuel rating. Accord is run by a powerful 3.0 L engine that produces 240-hp and 232 lb.-ft at 5000 RPM of torque. The electric motor is 16-hp with 100 lb.-ft at 840 rpm of torque. The sticker price of the Honda Accord Hybrid is approx. $30,000. You cannot buy a brand new Accord Hybrid from Honda but that's not the only place where you can buy a car, right?
Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Camry is known for its comfort, safety, and dependability. And surely, these characteristics are carried out with the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Powered by 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and 105-kW electric motor and 244-volt battery pack, the Camry can deliver a total of 192 horsepower. It promises to run 33mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway. The Camry's sticker price is at approx. $25,200. (The second generation Toyota Prius is classified as a midsize car.)
Lexus GS 450h.
If you think that a hybrid should have a small engine, then, the Lexus GS 450h will change the way to think. This hybrid has 24-valve, 3.5-liter gasoline engine that produces 297-hp. That's just the half of it. The electric motor-generator produces 197 hp giving the driver of this car the power and sheer adrenaline rush. But don't be fooled, the Lexus GS 450h may perform like a sports car but it definitely has the luxury features you want in a midsize car. And why not? At the price of $55,000, you surely have to set high expectations.
Nissan Altima Hybrid.
If you don't like the Toyota Camry and can't afford a Lexus GS 450h, then you can go for the Nissan Altima Hybrid. It is powered by a large 2.5-liter engine that produces 198 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft at 2800 RPM of torque. The Altima is only available in selected states including Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and California. Fuel economy is impressive considering the size of the engine. It is rated at 35mpg/33mpg and priced at approx. $25,100.
There are 4 competing midsize hybrid electric vehicles on the market: Honda Accord Hybrid, Toyota Camry, Lexus GS 450h, and the Nissan Altima Hybrid.
Honda Accord Hybrid.
Even before the release of the Hybrid, the Honda Accord was the second best selling car in the country. But the Accord Hybrid did not live up to the title "best-seller". After soaring success in 2005, car sales plummeted when its rival the Toyota Camry Hybrid hit the market. In 2007, the hybrid version of the Accord was discontinued.
However, buying an Accord Hybrid will give you a good 30mpg/37mpg fuel rating. Accord is run by a powerful 3.0 L engine that produces 240-hp and 232 lb.-ft at 5000 RPM of torque. The electric motor is 16-hp with 100 lb.-ft at 840 rpm of torque. The sticker price of the Honda Accord Hybrid is approx. $30,000. You cannot buy a brand new Accord Hybrid from Honda but that's not the only place where you can buy a car, right?
Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Camry is known for its comfort, safety, and dependability. And surely, these characteristics are carried out with the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Powered by 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and 105-kW electric motor and 244-volt battery pack, the Camry can deliver a total of 192 horsepower. It promises to run 33mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway. The Camry's sticker price is at approx. $25,200. (The second generation Toyota Prius is classified as a midsize car.)
Lexus GS 450h.
If you think that a hybrid should have a small engine, then, the Lexus GS 450h will change the way to think. This hybrid has 24-valve, 3.5-liter gasoline engine that produces 297-hp. That's just the half of it. The electric motor-generator produces 197 hp giving the driver of this car the power and sheer adrenaline rush. But don't be fooled, the Lexus GS 450h may perform like a sports car but it definitely has the luxury features you want in a midsize car. And why not? At the price of $55,000, you surely have to set high expectations.
Nissan Altima Hybrid.
If you don't like the Toyota Camry and can't afford a Lexus GS 450h, then you can go for the Nissan Altima Hybrid. It is powered by a large 2.5-liter engine that produces 198 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft at 2800 RPM of torque. The Altima is only available in selected states including Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and California. Fuel economy is impressive considering the size of the engine. It is rated at 35mpg/33mpg and priced at approx. $25,100.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)