If there were a quiz about hybrid vehicles, many Americans would flunk. The last time J. D. Power and Associates surveyed recent new-vehicle buyers about their attitudes toward gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, the marketing information firm found that more than 80 percent of the people interviewed were aware of the technology. Yet nearly one-half incorrectly believed that a hybrid needs to be plugged in to recharge the battery pack.
The first hybrid launched in the United States was the two-seat Honda Insight in 1999. The compact-size Toyota Prius debuted in this country the following year, and the compact-size Honda Civic Hybrid went on sale in 2002.
The redesigned Toyota Prius is now in showrooms. It is significant because it is larger than the previous model and qualifies as a midsize car, yet it costs the same and gets even better fuel mileage.
For those Americans who would have flunked “Basic Hybrid,” gas-electric hybrids are not electric vehicles that are powered by batteries only and have a range of 60 to 150 miles before they have to be plugged into electrical outlets to be recharged.
A gasoline-electric hybrid uses a conventional gasoline engine along with an electric motor. Its range is limited only by the size of its gas tank.
The key to reduced emissions and better fuel economy is having a small engine that is supplemented, or temporarily replaced, by an electric motor. That motor is powered by batteries that are recharged automatically when the vehicle brakes or coasts, which is called “regenerative” braking.
There are varying degrees of hybrids, some of which offer more benefits than others, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. While three hybrids are being sold in the United States, the UCS considers only one of them, the Prius, to be a “full” hybrid. The Insight and Civic Hybrid are considered “mild” hybrids.
The major difference is that a full hybrid can be driven by the electric motor and batteries alone, usually at low speeds, thus providing the best fuel economy and fewest pollutants. For example, at low speeds in around-town driving, the small four-cylinder engine of the Prius shuts itself off and the vehicle runs on electric power. At higher speeds — or when stronger acceleration is needed — the gasoline engine starts automatically.
With mild hybrids, the small gasoline engine runs all the time, and the electric motor only boosts performance when more power is needed. Both types have an “idle-off” feature that causes the engine to shut down automatically when the vehicle stops at a traffic light or a stop sign. It restarts automatically when the driver presses on the gas pedal. This feature helps to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency’s estimated fuel economy for the midsize 2004 Prius ($20,480) is 60 miles per gallon in the city and 50 mpg on the highway, compared with the old model’s figures of 52 mpg city and 45 mpg highway. The Prius comes with an automatic transmission only.
Because the Prius relies more on its electric motor in city traffic and more on the gasoline engine on the highway, its fuel economy figures are the reverse of most vehicles.
Among hybrids, the smaller-than-compact two-seater 2003 Insight ($21,740) with an automatic transmission has an EPA rating of 57 mpg city and 56 mpg highway. The compact 2003 Civic Hybrid ($21,010) has an EPA rating of 48 mpg city and 47 mpg highway with the automatic.
Currently around 90,000-plus people are driving gas-electric hybrids.
They will undoubtedly be joined by more later next year. That is when consumers will have more “green” vehicles from which to choose, especially sport utility vehicles that Americans love for their size and functionality.
Also, 2004 is when the Ford Escape HEV and the hybrid version of the Lexus RX 330 are expected in dealerships; a hybrid version of Toyota’s Highlander should follow only a few months after the Lexus, and Saturn’ s hybrid version of the Vue will be available a year later.
All this is good news for consumers who don’t like the idea of the nation relying too strongly on foreign oil, and who want to be kind to the planet while they drive.
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