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these days, hybrid cars come in many shapes and sizes, but the three most popular are the Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. In 2008, the list of hybrid vehicles also included Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Tahoe, Dodge Durango, Chevrolet, GMC Yukon, 750 Sterling Acterra, Saturn Aura, Saturn Vue and Toyota Camry. car manufacturers on the new release plan hybrid versions of its most popular vehicles each year.
Hybrid cars function mainly to reduce the CO2 emissions of greenhouse gas cars, but hybrids also have other functions, such as protection of the environment, the elimination of lead-based batteries, the decrease in the use of oil, producing less smog, only kicking in the gas when needed, and to reduce emissions in densely populated cities.
Evolution
The first hybrid vehicles, designed in 1899 by Ferdinand Porsche used a gas-electric technology. Although hybrid technology is as old as cars themselves, until recently, manufacturers have not given too much thought to the development of hybrid models.
The first important step in hybrid technology came in 1905 when an American engineer fashioned a patent for a gasoline engine - electric motor powertrain. This paved the way for an increase in hybrid vehicle of interest but declined in the 20s it was not until the late 1960s when the internal combustion engine has raised public health concern that hybrid technology has regained interest.
GMC has spent more than $ 20 million from 1977 to 1979 on the research and development of electric cars. Such as smog and environmental pollution has increased, Germany introduced the hybrid Volkswagen Microbus taxi. In mid-December 1997, Toyota began selling the Prius almost a century after the first hybrid design.
Risk factors,
while many hybrids have environmental benefits, they also come with some disadvantages as well. For example, although considered more environmentally friendly, particularly with respect to a lead-based car battery, use metal hydride and lithium batteries Hybrid in their machines. Considered more environmentally friendly than lead-based batteries and much less toxic nickel-based, the articles are known carcinogens which usually lead to a range of health problems. Environmentalists are not yet decided how these new batteries will impact the environment.
Due to the complexity of the computer system needed to make this hybrid car owners must expect more complex and expensive repairs than an ordinary car. While hybrids are reputed to be more reliable than gasoline vehicles only, when it comes to repairs, most hybrids should be taken to the dealer for repairs which usually costs more.
In addition, there may be an impending shortage of many rare materials used to make hybrid cars such as the element of rare earth dysprosium, used in the manufacture of motors and battery systems . This raises the possibility that hybrid production is in danger of extinction.
While hybrids are environmentally beneficial, they are not as good for the wallet as perceived. Sure, they have reduced gasoline consumption but only if it is conducted mainly in the city of less than 40 mph. Otherwise, they change gasoline engine and use about the same amount of gas as smaller cars such as Corollas and Civics. Recover the cost difference between a hybrid and regular model takes a few years. A recent study by "Consumer Reports" found that only a truly Civic Hybrid and Prius hybrid to compensate the difference in initial cost in the first five years of ownership.
Safety is also a concern of many when it comes to hybrid vehicles. Some people fear the danger that may arise in connection with high voltage electricity from the electric battery in a hybrid vehicle although the battery manufacturers will turn off automatically in case of accident.
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