The hybrid car runs on a petrol engine and a battery giving motorists the option to fuel up for longer journeys.
Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of petrol engines and electric motors and can be configured to obtain different objectives, such as improved fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools.
Some of the advanced technologies typically used by hybrids include:
Regenerative Braking. The electric motor applies resistance to the drivetrain causing the wheels to slow down. In return, the energy from the wheels turns the motor, which functions as a generator, converting energy normally wasted during coasting and braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor.
Electric Motor Drive/Assist.The electric motor provides additional power to assist the engine in accelerating, passing, or hill climbing. This allows a smaller, more efficient engine to be used. In some vehicles, the motor alone provides power for low-speed driving conditions where internal combustion engines are least efficient.
Automatic Start/Shutoff. Automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restarts it when the accelerator is pressed. This prevents wasted energy from idling.
Go Green - and get 20% off on your car insurance. How green is your car? Hybrid and eco cars are better for the environment because they produce less carbon dioxide than conventional vehicles. They’re also subject to reduced vehicle registration tax and road tax, and now they can earn you a 20% discount on your car insurance!
Eligible Hybrid / Eco Cars Ford Focus LX (FFV), Toyota Prius, Honda Civic IMA, Lexus GS450H & RX400H, Saab 9-3 & 9-5 bio-power
Electric cars have an electric drivetrain with power coming from powerful, high-tech batteries.
Electric cars can be plug-ins, or feature a small, fuel-powered internal combustion engine that works as a generator to recharge the batteries.
Hybrids feature a mixed electric/gas-powered drivetrain.
We’ll just be covering electric cars here.
Audi e-Tron. Starting in 2012, Audi will finally move into the electrical car field.
This high-performance electric has been compared, performance-wise,to Audi’s R8, which features a V10 engine.
To explain how this is expected to perform, let’s look at the (preliminary) numbers.
The e-Tron will have all-wheel drive powered by four electric motors, which, combined, will produce 313 horsepower and a pavement-tearing 3,319 lbs-ft of torque.
The e-Tron will be a home plug-in and is said to recharge its lithium-ion battery in 6 to 8 hours.
They’re also working on wireless recharging.
There are no price quotes yet for this car, but by most people’s definition it will be quite expensive. Tesla Model S – Tesla is famous for its Roadster, but they are now developing a midsize luxury sedan that can carry 5-7 passengers and go 160-300 miles on a charge (depending on the battery package).
Tesla says it will recharge overnight at a home-charging station or in just 45 minutes at a “fast-charging” station.
Production is scheduled to begin in mid-2012.
Mitsubishi “i”. This five-door all-electric hatchback is super-cute. It runs on an array of lithium-ion batteries and has a top speed of 80 mph.
This model has been available in Japan since 2006, but will finally make its American debut in early 2012.
It can generate 133 lbs-ft of torque and it will have a range of 85 miles per full charge.
Scheduled for 2013
BMW i3. The BMW i3 (or MCV, Mega City Vehicle), is significant as a concept.
BMW wants to revolutionize the high-performance urban electric car, for drivers in megacities.
This rear-wheel drive car will be made of lightweight carbon-fiber plastics and be powered by a 134-horsepower lithium-ion battery.
Projected range per charge is 100 miles, a tall order, but we’re talking about the future here.
It will have a one-pedal throttle/brake, meaning the quicker the pedal is pressed, the more rapid the acceleration and the quicker it’s released, the more sudden it brakes.
The i3 is scheduled for a 2013 launch. Chevrolet Volt MPV5 – This is an extended-range SUV crossover, built to provide as much cabin and cargo space as an SUV, but perform much better.
The MPV5 is a larger, roomier, performance improvement over the Volt.
Like the Volt, the MPV5 features a 4-cylinder internal combustion engine that will act as a generator once the car’s lithium-ion battery has expended its power.
Power can also be supplied from a home outlet.
The MPV5 has a top speed of 100 mph and it can travel 32 miles on electric power alone.
It is expected to have a European roll-out in 2012, with its U.S. debut coming in 2013.
