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Hybrid Vs Traditional Vehicle Comparison: Electric, Gasoline, SUV, Luxury Hybrids
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Published: August 28, 2007
When cruising down nearly any highway across the globe, it's hard not to take note of the increase in owners of hybrid cars. In fact, the hybrid appears to be the new it car and much more than an electric car fad. The presence of global warming and the relentless rise of gas prices have many drivers wondering if owning hybrid car rather than a traditional car is the best route for them.
The technological design of a hybrid is quite different from that of a traditional vehicle. Under the hood of a hybrid car, drivers will find not one but two engines. One of the engines is very similar to that of a traditional vehicle in that it runs on gasoline, however, the second engine inside is electric. This electric engine operates by storing the power given off by the braking system of the hybrid car. Therefore, the hybrid runs on electricity when possible, and gas on an as needed basis.
There are many great advantages in owning a hybrid car in comparison to owning a traditional vehicle. Perhaps the most obvious perk to owning a hybrid has to do with gas mileage. The hybrid is notorious for achieving more efficient gas mileage in comparison to most traditional vehicles. For instance, the Prius, one of the most popular hybrid car models made by Toyota, reportedly earns a whopping 60 miles per gallon with city driving and 51 miles per gallon with highway driving. With the increase in efficiency of gas mileage, the hybrid helps lighten the load on a driver's wallet when filling up at the pump.
The hybrid car is also revered by many environmentally concerned drivers for its more eco-friendly design in comparison to traditional vehicles. The efficient gas mileage of a hybrid not only saves drivers' money, it also helps to reduce the impact on natural resources. In addition, the hybrid helps to keep the air cleaner. Traditional vehicles often produce emissions containing carbon dioxide, making it one of the leading culprits of pollution, whereas a hybrid's electric components help to reduce emissions. Since the hybrid car is the more environmentally conscious choice, many drivers are given tax breaks when purchasing a hybrid.
While there are many important advantages in driving a hybrid car, some drivers may not be so quick to hand over the keys of their traditional vehicles. One of the biggest drawbacks is the price that comes with owning a hybrid. Since the inner workings of a hybrid are much more complicated in comparison to a traditional vehicle, they are more expensive to manufacture, which in turn increases the cost of owning and repairing a hybrid. Another perceived drawback is the lifespan of the hybrid car's battery. Since the hybrid relies more on electric power, many drivers fear that this would shorten the life of the car battery. Because hybrid car models still remain somewhat new, there is much speculation over this theory; however, many drivers claim that their hybrid car batteries last just as long as that of a traditional vehicle. Another reason many drivers are leaning away from purchasing a hybrid is due to the lack of options when it comes to choosing a model of a car. Most of the hybrids produced today tend to be sedans. This limits choices for those who may be in the market for a larger vehicle. Many manufacturers are taking note of this dilemma and are now offering alternative hybrid vehicles, such as hybrid SUV's.
The hybrid car may very well be the future of the car industry. With so many environmental advantages of driving a hybrid, many drivers are choosing to go green. However, the hybrid car may still have some kinks to be ironed out. The high cost of owning a hybrid is what seems to keep drivers of traditional vehicles at bay. Yet with the increase in demand, prices of hybrid cars may in turn decrease, which could lead to happier drivers everywhere.
Sources:
Reynolds, Tammi. “Hybrid Car Pros and Cons.” Associated Content. 21 March 2006. 26 Aug. 2007. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/23627/hyb rid_car_pros_and_cons.html
Rosenthal, Elisabeth. “Hybrids Better for the Environment than Your Wallet.” International Herald Tribune. 1 Aug. 2007. 26 Aug. 2007. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/01/business/gr eencol02.php
Worley, Becky. “Buying an Eco-Friendly Car.” ABC News. 13 March 2006. 26 Aug. 2007. http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=1718746
The technological design of a hybrid is quite different from that of a traditional vehicle. Under the hood of a hybrid car, drivers will find not one but two engines. One of the engines is very similar to that of a traditional vehicle in that it runs on gasoline, however, the second engine inside is electric. This electric engine operates by storing the power given off by the braking system of the hybrid car. Therefore, the hybrid runs on electricity when possible, and gas on an as needed basis.
There are many great advantages in owning a hybrid car in comparison to owning a traditional vehicle. Perhaps the most obvious perk to owning a hybrid has to do with gas mileage. The hybrid is notorious for achieving more efficient gas mileage in comparison to most traditional vehicles. For instance, the Prius, one of the most popular hybrid car models made by Toyota, reportedly earns a whopping 60 miles per gallon with city driving and 51 miles per gallon with highway driving. With the increase in efficiency of gas mileage, the hybrid helps lighten the load on a driver's wallet when filling up at the pump.
The hybrid car is also revered by many environmentally concerned drivers for its more eco-friendly design in comparison to traditional vehicles. The efficient gas mileage of a hybrid not only saves drivers' money, it also helps to reduce the impact on natural resources. In addition, the hybrid helps to keep the air cleaner. Traditional vehicles often produce emissions containing carbon dioxide, making it one of the leading culprits of pollution, whereas a hybrid's electric components help to reduce emissions. Since the hybrid car is the more environmentally conscious choice, many drivers are given tax breaks when purchasing a hybrid.
While there are many important advantages in driving a hybrid car, some drivers may not be so quick to hand over the keys of their traditional vehicles. One of the biggest drawbacks is the price that comes with owning a hybrid. Since the inner workings of a hybrid are much more complicated in comparison to a traditional vehicle, they are more expensive to manufacture, which in turn increases the cost of owning and repairing a hybrid. Another perceived drawback is the lifespan of the hybrid car's battery. Since the hybrid relies more on electric power, many drivers fear that this would shorten the life of the car battery. Because hybrid car models still remain somewhat new, there is much speculation over this theory; however, many drivers claim that their hybrid car batteries last just as long as that of a traditional vehicle. Another reason many drivers are leaning away from purchasing a hybrid is due to the lack of options when it comes to choosing a model of a car. Most of the hybrids produced today tend to be sedans. This limits choices for those who may be in the market for a larger vehicle. Many manufacturers are taking note of this dilemma and are now offering alternative hybrid vehicles, such as hybrid SUV's.
The hybrid car may very well be the future of the car industry. With so many environmental advantages of driving a hybrid, many drivers are choosing to go green. However, the hybrid car may still have some kinks to be ironed out. The high cost of owning a hybrid is what seems to keep drivers of traditional vehicles at bay. Yet with the increase in demand, prices of hybrid cars may in turn decrease, which could lead to happier drivers everywhere.
Sources:
Reynolds, Tammi. “Hybrid Car Pros and Cons.” Associated Content. 21 March 2006. 26 Aug. 2007. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/23627/hyb rid_car_pros_and_cons.html
Rosenthal, Elisabeth. “Hybrids Better for the Environment than Your Wallet.” International Herald Tribune. 1 Aug. 2007. 26 Aug. 2007. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/01/business/gr eencol02.php
Worley, Becky. “Buying an Eco-Friendly Car.” ABC News. 13 March 2006. 26 Aug. 2007. http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=1718746
