| Are hybrid cars, the cars of the future? Only time | | | | must be kept charged. You see, this is the |
| will tell. I am sure most of you have by now | | | | purpose for the generator. |
| heard about the new hybrid cars in the | | | | It takes about 1000 pounds of batteries to equal |
| marketplace today. I'm also sure many of you | | | | the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Sounds like a lot |
| are saying, "What the heck is a hybrid car | | | | of extra weight, but with the new designs this is |
| anyway?" Well let us see if we as laymen people | | | | not a problem. The newer designs are even |
| from the old school of gasoline automobiles can | | | | converting kinetic energy produced by the engine |
| understand these new high tech automobiles. | | | | into electric energy for the batteries. Confused |
| Firstly we need to know what powers a hybrid. | | | | yet? If not, you are probably reading the wrong |
| Well a hybrid has a gasoline engine and also a | | | | article. However, it really doesn't matter if you |
| battery powered generator. The gasoline engine in | | | | understand the inner workings completely. By now |
| the equation is much the same as the cars most | | | | you should at least have a basic understanding of |
| of us are driving today. In most cases it is a bit | | | | what makes these little cars more efficient. |
| smaller than the engines in our somewhat larger | | | | I'm sure you have seen some of the new hybrid |
| automobiles we currently drive. The reason for | | | | cars on the street and were maybe a bit taken |
| this is because the generator helps power the | | | | back by their appearance at first. Yes, the new |
| hybrid car. Both still operate the same as far as | | | | hybrids do take some getting used to, especially |
| having a transmission to drive the wheels. Albeit a | | | | the early models. They are a little smaller in size |
| much more sophisticated version than what is in | | | | and very aerodynamic in design. And, with a |
| the typical gasoline powered vehicle. The | | | | driving force of about 60-90 horsepower, don't |
| difference is when the car begins to slow down, | | | | feel quite as powerful as your current automobile, |
| the gasoline engine stops and the generator | | | | but on the horizon are several new models, |
| motor takes over, thus saving fuel you would be | | | | including SUV's that are much more traditional in |
| burning for instance at a stoplight. Now, not only is | | | | their styling. |
| this a saving for you as a consumer. It is also | | | | I think for now at least, the hybrid cars will take |
| making the air we breathe cleaner. Both are I'm | | | | over a big part of the auto industry and carry us |
| sure you will agree, a good thing. Now, both | | | | along until the arrival of the eco- friendly efficient |
| engines require a tank for the fuel, a gas tank the | | | | cars of the future. |
| same as most of us have now, but also a tank | | | | Take a ride in one of the new hybrid cars and |
| for the generator, which is a set of batteries that | | | | decide for yourself if they are worth all the hype. |