Best Hybrid Cars

Best Hybrid Cars: The Technology Behind These EPA Approved Cars And Three Of The Best In The Category The development of hybrids has been motivated...

Best Hybrid Cars: The Technology Behind These EPA Approved Cars And Three Of The Best In The Category

The development of hybrids has been motivated by an increased awareness of the harmful effects of fossil fuels that are currently used on 80 percent of vehicles currently on the road. Researchers have been hard at work trying to come up with environmentally friendly power trains for the best hybrid cars that use alternative fuel sources to minimize the over reliance on oil and its products. Hybrid cars or Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) are characterized by the following five major components:

• A generator
• Electric motor
• A device used for power split
• A high performance/capacity battery
• Internal combustion engine

The main working principle behind the success of some of the best hybrid cars is the ingenious harnessing of benefits associated with electric motors and gasoline engines. Advanced technological techniques and research has seen to it that the benefits of electric motors and gasoline engines are properly harnessed to achieve varying objectives such as increased power, enhanced fuel economy and additional power for auxiliary uses such as power tools, electronic devices et cetera.

A good number of hybrids like the Honda Civic hybrid and the Ford Fusion hybrid incorporate the following advanced technologies in their build.

Automatic start/shutoff- prevents energy wastage through idling where the system shuts off the car upon stopping and restarts it when you step on the accelerator.

Electric motor kicks in during specific drive situations such as hill climbing, overtaking and accelerating. According to the Department of Energy, the kicking in of the electric motor during these drive situations has enabled most hybrids to use smaller highly efficient engines. In some hybrid car makes, the electric motor is used 100 percent during low speed city driving where the internal combustion engine performs quite poorly.

Regenerative braking through the resistance of the electric motor on the drive train brings the hybrid car to a smooth stop. The energy thus dissipated from the car’s wheels during the breaking process is used to turn the electric motor which works just like a generator and consequently converting the accrued energy into electricity which is later used by the motor.

The Best Hybrid Cars As Ranked By The US Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy (EERE)

The 2012 Toyota Prius

This is the best Toyota hybrid and car brand in the market today. It has a MRSP of $22,120 and an exceptional fuel economy. Its interior is highly space efficient and it offers a comfortable and quiet ride. The Prius five offers a vast array of high tech goodies at a much higher MRSP. Despite its impressive fuel economy, the driving position is fairly awkward and its gauge meters are overly clustered. The resulting horsepower of the car’s electric motor and 1.8L 4 cylinder engine is 134 and is transmitted through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) system. It achieves 60 mph from zero in 10.1 secs which is okay for a hybrid. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) fuel economy statistics, the Prius hybrid returns 51 mpg during city driving and 48 mpg on the highway which is quite impressive. When combined, the 2012 Prius achieves 50 mpg.

2012 Lexus CT 200h

This Lexus hybrid is second best in terms of fuel consumption on this list of the best hybrid cars. It has a starting MRSP of $29,120. It is tops in its segment as concerns fuel economy. Its handling is quite engaging which is unlike hybrids and has a pretty attractive pricing. It boasts of superior ergonomics and a cabin which is driver friendly. On the negatives; some of the Lexus CT 200h controls are low grade while its acceleration is quite pokey. Its in cabin storage capacity is also quite wanting.

It has a 1.8L 4 cylinder engine that runs on gasoline coupled with an electric motor/generator. Its total hp output is 134 just like the Prius albeit with a specialized CVT system that powers the front wheels. It attains 60 mph from 0 in a leisurely 10.4 secs. Its fuel economy is quite stellar at 43 mpg in city roads, 40 mpg on the highway and a combined fuel economy of 42 mpg.

2012 Mercury Milan Hybrid FWD

The number three spot among the best hybrid cars is taken up by the 2012 Mercury Milan that has a MRSP of $28,345. It has a roomy interior and handles excellently. Its pricing is quite stiff nonetheless. Its 4 cylinder, 2.5L outputs 191 hp in conjunction with an electric motor. It achieves 60 mph down from zero in 8.7 secs and returns 41 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highways and 39 mpg when combined.