Lets agree that new hybrid automobiles are not new technology. In fact they predate the internal combustion engine by quite a bit. It was the lower cost of fueling internal combustion engines that made them a more popular choice. This would push hybrid technology to the back burner for several decades.
With Today’s looming energy crisis, the rising costs of fuel, plus the environmental damage caused by vehicle emissions has put this technology center stage once again. Most hybrids today and I am talking about full blown production vehicles, use both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor to power the vehicle. An example of some exceptions would be a traditional Golf cart and the Nissan Leaf that are pure electric with no fuel burning capabilities on board.
Most of the new hybrids use the electric motor to power the vehicle at very low speeds as well as starting the car from stops. Batteries are now lithium ion types and supply the main power to the electric motor located between the engine and transmission.
Recharging these batteries is done in several ways including regenerative braking which turns the friction produced by braking into electrical energy. In addition the engine recharges the battery when driving under low loads like maintaining highway speeds under 60 mph or even coasting down a grade.
Hybrid Car Technology Advancing
Second generation series technology has now landed on the beach with the Chevrolet Volt and the Cadillac ELR. Sales figures have been soft on both despite factory incentives, but the series technology inside these cars just might be able to revolutionize the hybrid industry.
What is series technology? Should your new hybrid automobiles purchase decision wait until these models are perfected? A Series electric gas hybrid car is very different from current technology. These cars will still contain an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. The major difference is that the internal combustion engine will no longer provide any power for the automobiles wheels. The gas motor is like an on the go charging station.
The electric motor will be capable of traveling for up to 40 miles or more without using any fuel. Once that 40-50 mile mark has been reached the internal combustion engine will switch on charging the batteries which will in turn supply the motor with the charge required to move the car.
This has a tremendous advantage over the current hybrid automobiles technology. While it may be another year or so, waiting for these models to make their debut it may be worth the wait and the best choice for your needs.
If you must look into new hybrid automobiles right now, there are a few things that you should look for. Below are the top four considerations that could help you make this very important decision. For more information about automotive technology you can also visit my dedicated hybrid car page.
Hybrid Buyers Check List
First think about the resale value. Ensure that you know the estimated resale value of your preferred vehicle. Holding onto an automobile forever is a great option, though one seldom realized in today’s society. Purchasing a hybrid that commands maximum resale value will help ensure that you are able to make the most of your investment.
Because hybrids represent such an increased cost over the cost of traditional vehicles you will have to consider this fact and be able to live with the fact that you may not recoup these costs when you sell it. This can be effected by the price of gas at the time the resale takes place.
•Maintenance Schedule and Costs: Most new hybrid vehicles offer reduced basic maintenance costs. Oil changes are frequently scheduled every 6,000 miles, rather than the traditional 3,000-mile intervals. The major services are often more expensive. Timing belts or major 90,000-mile services and other major maintenance can cost you considerably more than those to which you may be accustomed to currently.
•Cost of Ownership: Some states charge increased taxes on new hybrid automobiles at the time of purchase and in the annual registration fee. Ensuring that you know what charges to expect will help you eliminate any unwanted surprises from hybrid ownership.
•Longevity: You need to ensure you know what the longevity of your vehicle might be. How long can you expect your new car to last? What is the average lifespan for a similar vehicle? You will find that longevity varies drastically with brands and that some models don’t have an expected lifespan because they have not been on the market long. Whether you choose to hold off on a new car purchase until better technology becomes available or choose to purchase a hybrid automobile now, you should educate yourself in order to make the most of ownership and prevent buyers remorse.
Disclosure of MPG ratings for hybrid automobiles on the window sticker can be confusing. The government is trying to help with some new labeling guidelines for 2013. You can find more about how to read the new window stickers on the fuel economy.gov consumer information site.
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Speaking of buyers remorse, I have more pages to help battle this all to common condition. This next link takes you from new hybrid automobiles to new car buying tips. Looking for more information on hybrids. I have a page with a good historical video and more facts that can help you decide if this is right for you. Learn more about buying hybrid cars. I currently do not have an about us page. But if you would like to know more about me and what is offered on this car website then the homepage should answer these automotive questions.