Green Driving

Honda introduced this concept, Toyota made a commercial success out of this, Ford launched a hi-tech sports utility vehicle SUV and Genera...

Honda introduced this concept, Toyota made a commercial success out of this, Ford launched a hi-tech sports utility vehicle SUV and General Motors is getting ready to unveil it. We are talking about hybrid vehicles.

Step into a hybrid car, and turn the ignition. The first thing you notice is how much quieter it is than a conventional car. The hybrid vehicle combines an electric motor with the power of an internal-combustion engine. Both are lighter versions of their respective counterparts, which reduce the emissions from the hybrid cars.

The fuel tank supplies oil to the engine, batteries supply power to the electric motor and both the engine and the motor can turn the transmission at the same time. From the support of battery supply and motor, the fuel tank is able to take the car over 500 km compared to the 300 km with only an oil engine and the 50-100 km with only battery supply. This improves fuel efficiency by allowing the electric motor to take over tasks that involve high fuel usage, such as starting the engine or rapid acceleration.

The dual nature of the power source offers several forms of greenness. The support provided by the electric motor means the engine is smaller and more efficient than a conventional engine. The electric motor also permits the petrol engine to shut down entirely during certain times, like at the traffic lights. In addition, the batteries can actually store energy recovered from breaking as well as energy generated from the motor. Therefore, once the car begins to slow down the kinetic energy from that process consequently recharges the batteries unlike electric cars.

Many people believe that this technology is new. But it is only recently that makers have begun to look into these systems because of high petrol prices and growing concern about the environment. In November 1905, H Pipier applied for a patent. Unfortunately for Piper, during those days the growing technology of the gasoline engine and the availability of cheap fuel made the hybrid concept impractical. But in recent years auto majors have made this technology practical for commercial use. Honda was the first company to introduce gas-electric technology in 1999 with the Honda Insight. It has also launched the FCX fuel-cell vehicle FCV for daily operation. FCV is powered by an electric motor, which runs on hydrogen as its energy source.

Gasoline engine: The engine is similar to the conventional cars but the smaller and uses advance technology to reduce emission and increase efficiency.
Electronic motor: Advanced electronics allow it to act as a motor as well as a generator. It can draw energy from the batteries to accelerate the car. But when it functions as a generator it can slow the car down and return energy to the batteries.
Generator: It is similar to the electric motor, but it only produces electrical power.
Batteries: They are the energy storage device for the electric motor. r hard work. But Ankita, Isha and some others need to find sponsors, play the big tournaments in the next 18-20 months. Time is running out,rsquo;rsquo; Natekar says. mdash; S.N.

In the Toyota Prius, the car8217;s electric starter quietly cranks up the internal combustion engine, which shuts off automatically when warm. The electric motor then accelerates. It powers the car to a speed of 24 kmph before allowing the petrol engine to switch on. The power-splitting device brings together the petrol engine and electric motor, ensuring the engine operates at its most efficient load and speed most of the time. No need then of a gearbox.

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A hybrid car is a complex and expensive proposition. Its two motors, ancillary systems plus a heavy battery and a regeneration system8212;to produce electricity during braking8212;need management. All these systems must work together, adding to the complexity. While cars have become more reliable, they still suffer from failures. So owners of hybrids can expect big repair bills.

Hybrids cost 19,000-25,000 and fuel-saver cars cost 14,000-17,000. The difference in average annual fuel bills8212;405 for a Honda Insight vs 635 for a Honda Civic8212;means you may never recoup the added initial cost of a hybrid. Over a 10 year period, owning a hybrid will save you only 2,3008212;less than the cost difference for comparably equipped cars.

The hybrid car market in US has grown from 9,500 in 2000 to 300,000 in 2005. The carmakers don8217;t plan to launch hybrid vehicles in the Indian market. According to Honda officials in India, 8216;8216;Hybrid cars won8217;t be available for at least 10 years at the moment as they are not commercially viable here.8217;8217;