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Hybrid automobiles......?

I am confused! Just exactly what is a "hybrid" automobile?

Public Comments

1. hydrogen/fuel powered
2. Well they are confusing us right now. First a Hybrid was a gas and electric engine vehicle. Now they're calling vehicles that run on Gasoline and Corn Liquor Hybrid's. It's all a scam anyway. Gas is artificially manipulated price wise and we're not causing global warming and we're not going to run out of natural resources. It's only a scare tactic for the social architects of the world. I get a kick out of the little minions running scared with the first notion of "we're" doing something wrong.... Like eggs and cholesterol, The "ice age" we were heading to in the '70's... LOL
3. A hybrid is typically a car with a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The Toyota products use the electric motor for propulsion and can move the car at low speeds without the gasoline engine. Other products like GM's cannot use the electric motor to drive the vehicle independent of the gas engine.
4. A hybrid automobile is any car that gets it's power from two sources that work together. In most hybirds on the road today, those sources are gasoline and electricity. The gasoline engine works with an electrical generator/motor, and a large battery. When accelerating, the electrical motor helps to propel the vehicle forward, or may even power the vehicle on it's own at low speeds. At constant speeds, the electric motor acts as a generator, and is powered by the car's standard gasoline engine to charge the batteries. Battery charging also occurs during braking, sometimes further assisted by a "regenerative braking system" that generates even more electricity for the batteries. These systems all work together quite well, and higher mileage is achieved. Future hybrid ideas include a series hybrid, in which all movement comes from the electric motor, and a small gas engine is there to charge the batteries, and nothing else. This is also how a locomotive works. Vehicles that can run on Ethanol (A fuel derived from corn) are NOT hybrids. They are commonly referred to as flex-fuel vehicles.
5. Hi Mary, If I may impose my understanding on this issue, a Hybrid Automobile is a vehicle that uses two sources of power to make the darn thing run. The Toyota Prius being the most well known hybrid using an electric / gasoline system. There has been much development towards a hydrogen / gasoline hybrid, but I don't know of one yet in production. Finally, to throw a little mud water into the issue, certain auto manufactures are touting specific models as "liquid hybrids" meaning that these vehicles have the ability to run using different types of fuel through an internal combustion engine. Okay, now I am kind of confused!! Anyway, in shopping for a new vehicle, you have several considerations to make. Whether to purchase a hybrid or a traditional auto, one needs to consider the following things. Divining habits, a hybrid (electric / gasoline) uses the electric motor to maintain speed, the gasoline portion of the power train engages when you accelerate. Okay, meaning that in the city with it's stop and go traffic, your hybrid will have the tendency to want to use the gasoline power plant to start off at a traffic light and then switch to the electric power plant once you attain a certain speed. Now, I have been told that if you accerate very carefully, you can use just the electric. Yet, I am not real sure how practical this is when you add in traffic conditions and the use of an air conditioner. On the highway, once you hit cruise control, well, just sit back and watch the MPG climb. Now the drawbacks; First, a hybrid is going to cost $5000.00 more just in purchase price, whether you ever see that amount back in savings is debatable. Second, repair and maintaince. Now, I can't really say that this is a major issue these days because new cars all have some sort of computer control and diagnostic system in them, Meaning that you will probably be taking the darn thing to the dealership for service anyway. But, with a hybrid, you go to have too. So, in conclusion, I would suggest that you test-drive a couple of hybrids, maybe even rent one for a week. This will see how well you like them. Also, speaking to a couple of owners might not be a bad idea. Remember, you will probably have to modify your driving habits to get the full benefit from a hybrid. But, for your situation, it just might be the car for you.