With gas prices rising and "green" the new buzzword of the daily, Auto owners everywhere are looking at Hybrid automobiles. Hybrid has become a buzzword of its own, but generally encompasses a combination of:
- Gasoline or diesel motor
- Electric motor
- Battery systems
- Alternative fuel sources (e.g. accepts ethanol or biodiesel)
Hybrids come in every size and shape and you get almost any kind of automobile (truck, SUV, passenger car) in a hybrid form. The only auto not available in hybrid form as this article was written is the minivan - though 2008 is expected to bring a hybrid Toyota Sienna minivan.
How Do Hybrids Work
A hybrid car does a number of things to increase gas mileage and decrease energy usage. The first thing most hybrids do is to utilize a combination of a gasoline engine, batteries, and an electric motor. The gasoline engine powers the battery pack. The battery stores energy and powers the electric motor which runs the drivetrain and turns the wheels.
Most hybrids also use a regenerative braking system. The electric motor applies resistance to the drivetrain to slow down the wheels. In turn, the wheels turns the motor which provides additional power to be used when you start driving again.
Hybrids also shut down the engine when you come to a stop and turn it back on when you press the accelerator. This prevents wasted energy while you are idling.
There are a number of features you should review when deciding what kind of hybrid to purchase. Hybrids are so mainstream now that these are the same features you would review when purchasing a normal gasoline powered car:
- Car platform (e.g. car, SUV, truck, crossover)
- Interior room
- Trunk storage space
- Audio/video options
- Power everything
- Engine size
- Warranty
One of the most important things to review is the length of the warranty on the battery system. Batteries have a tendency to die quicker than most any other part of the hybrid car. If your battery warranty isn't long enough, you might be stuck replacing thousands of dollars worth of batteries.
Steps
Review the options you are looking for in an automobile.
Compare these options to the different Hybrid cars you are looking for. Use the manufacturer site or website such as hybridcars.com or Edmunds.com.
Shop around different dealers and test drive the hybrid vehicles you have chosen.
When you make an offer on a car, be prepared to walk away if you don't think you're getting a good deal.
Negotiate the price of the car.
Negotiate your trade-in.
Drive away in your new hybrid!
Tips and Tactics
Some vehicles are in such short supply that dealers are asking for more than the list price! You may find a hybrid you like, but you might not like the price.
EPA estimate mileage is not always accurate - read some real world reviews before buying.
Links to Resources
Links to Blogs and Forums
http://hybridreview.blogspot.com/
