Hybrid Vehicles

A Look At The Different Options In Hybrid Vehicles

The Evolution of Hybrid Vehicles

The concept of hybrid vehicles began in the 1600s, when a Flemish astronomer designed the first steam-powered vehicle. Other European designers then followed suit. Eventually, they came up vehicles powered by electricity, batteries, or a combination of both. By the 1900s, Americans were building cars powered by steam, gasoline, and electricity. At the first National Automobile Show in New York, the people’s favorite was the electric car, followed by the steam-powered engine. In 1916, the first hybrid cars came out, but with less power and high operating expense, they did not sell well.

Self-starting gas engines came on the scene in the 1920s, and were so popular that electric and steam engines ceased production. By 1966, pollution was such a problem that Congress recommended electric cars. Car manufacturers quickly came up with a hybrid car powered by electromechanical transmission, or EMT, with backup of a small combustion drive engine. Many of today’s hybrid vehicles were inspired by that concept.

Hybrid Vehicles List

There is now a constantly growing hybrid vehicles list, primarily from Chevrolet, Toyota, Ford, Lincoln, Honda, Lexus, GMC, Cadillac, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Infiniti, Audi, Kia, Buick, Mitsubishi, Fisker, and Volkswagen.

Used Hybrid Vehicles

Car buyers searching for new hybrid vehicles will find local selections limited, and often they must travel to other areas, so often they choose used hybrid vehicles. These are cheaper, will hold their value, and will still be in demand when the car owner decides to sell.

hybrid vehicles - Fisker Karma

All hybrid vehicles are fuel-efficient, whether used or new. The top five in the mileage category are the Mitsubishi PX-MIEV at 117 mpg, Fisker Karma at 67 mpg, Chevrolet Volt at 60 mpg, Toyota Prius at 50 mpg, and the Honda Civic Hybrid at 44 mpg.

Customers who customarily drive SUVs will find the same space inside a hybrid SUV, and the same ride. If efficiency and affordability are the most important features, then the Ford Focus Hybrid should be at the top of the list. For the most luxurious choice, consider a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid or Lexus RX 450h. If 7 passenger seating is critical, the choices are the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. If towing and V8 performance are a priority, then the GMC Yukon Hybrid and Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid are the top choices.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

hybrid vehicles - Chevrolet Volt

Alternative fuel vehicles are not hybrids, but they provide some of the same benefits. There are electric cars like the Chevrolet Volt, which can go 25-50 miles electrically, then another 300 miles on gas. The Nissan Leaf can go 60 to 110 miles, and costs about $33,000. The Fiskar Karma can go 50 miles on the electric charge, then 200 miles on the gas engine, and costs about $87,000.

The Wheego Life will go 100 miles, and costs about $33,000, and the Smart EV can go 83 miles and sells for about $45,000. The Coda can go 90 to 120 miles, and will cost about $44,000 when it is released. The City goes 125 miles, costs about $35,000, but has no U. S. dealerships.

There are also new clean diesel vehicles, mostly made by Volkswagen. These include the Golf TDI, 2011 Jetta TDI, 2011 Jetta SportWagen, and the Audi A3 TDI, among others. Most get approximately 34 mpg, and cost from $25,000 to $30,000.

Which Hybrid Vehicle to Purchase

With so many choices, it may be hard to decide which fuel efficient vehicles are a consumer’s best fit. It all depends on priorities. However, if that car is not available, it is worth looking at used hybrid vehicles to get what a customer wants, when they want it.

Hybrid Vehicles – Fisker Karma