| The term "hybrid" means that something is mixed | | | | drive hybrids.Plus, the US government in offering |
| with its original form. The hybrid is a car that has | | | | attractive tax incentives to lure new buyers who |
| both an electric and a gas motor to run it. But, | | | | are on the fence.ConstructionThere are many |
| unlike electric cars of yesteryear, the hybrid will | | | | differences between the hybrid and conventional |
| recharge itself, hence no need to plug it into an | | | | cars. One is the construction of hybrids. Made of |
| outlet.The gasoline engines in these cars are | | | | aluminum and plastic, they are lightweight in their |
| smaller than in standard vehicles and where they | | | | design, which in turn makes them able to be |
| leave off the electric engine takes over. The | | | | powered by smaller, lighter engines.Many would |
| hybrid can work on just one of these engines, but | | | | fear that this offers less protection than other |
| hybrid owners will use both to conserve on | | | | cars, but the fact is they are just as safe. |
| fuel.What's Under The Hood?Most hybrids use the | | | | Additional strength is created by manufacturers |
| gasoline engine primarily. But when more power is | | | | using panels in specialized shapes to reinforce the |
| needed, the electric motor kicks in.In the gasoline | | | | strength of the material to resist impact.Who |
| motor, there is energy conservation, for example, | | | | Makes Them?The 2 major manufacturers are |
| it instantly shuts off when the vehicle stops. | | | | Honda Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation. |
| When you hit the pedal again, the engine | | | | They brought hybrid vehicles to the US in 2000. |
| smoothly turns back on. Meanwhile, the battery | | | | The first were the Honda Insight and the Toyota |
| keeps all of your appliances on -- lights, radio and | | | | Prius. Both had great success.There are now plans |
| other needed features.Because the gasoline engine | | | | for a sport utility vehicle to be made as well as |
| cuts off and on, it is usually virtually silent. This | | | | full size trucks through hybrid mechanics. This will |
| can confuse the driver and parking attendants, | | | | be quite popular to many drivers. The hybrids that |
| who may think the car is off, but it is actually on. | | | | are on the market are well liked. With all of the |
| Fortunately, an indicator light has been added, | | | | environmental issues today as well as the high |
| showing the status of the engine.BenefitsOne | | | | cost of gas, there is no wonder why this is |
| huge benefit of the hybrid is the fuel savings -- it | | | | so.The bottom line is that hybrid cars are |
| offers up to 60 miles per gallon. Because of the | | | | effectively lowering the cost of powering a |
| high cost of gasoline, this makes the hybrid a | | | | vehicle and keeping the Earth clean. Hybrid |
| very popular choice.Not only do they use less gas, | | | | technology offers a highly effective way of |
| though, they also emit fewer pollutants into the | | | | moving from place to place.Visit Hybrid Cars to |
| air. In fact, they are up to 90% cleaner than | | | | learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, |
| other vehicles. Because the engines are small and | | | | writer, and web developer, visit his website at |
| efficient, they reduce their total exhaust | | | | WebsiteCopyright 2005 Ron King. This article may |
| emissions. This makes them environmentally | | | | be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and |
| friendly.There are many corporations offering | | | | the links live. |
| incentives such as free parking to those who | | | | |