Will hybrid cars take over the roadways?

How do hybrid cars work?

Hybrid autos are a) becoming much more popular, and b) are still a work in progress. They are fascinating, if not for their current stage of development, certainly for their future projections. Their concept is simple; their working process is a bit more complex.

The hybrid concept states that autocars use one or more combinations of classic gasoline engines and alternative energy sources to power the vehicles. This differs from pure alternative energy powered autos, like those using natural gas or ethanol exclusively.

Hybrid cars typically have traditional gasoline, piston-driven engines AND an alternative power source, usually battery/electric power. A variation often involves a combination of a diesel engine with a battery pack complement for power.

Hybrid autos marry gasoline engines with electric power to operate the vehicle efficiently and reduce carbon emissions, thereby helping our environment. Currently there are two primary technologies used to power hybrid autos. These alternative cars both use massive battery packs as their additional power source.

One version is the "plug-in" variety. When your hybrid auto is resting in your driveway or garage, you plug it in to recharge its battery pack. It will be ready to take you to your destination after recharging.

Another variation uses energy generated from other driving activities (e.g., decelerating, braking, etc.) to recharge its battery packs while you're motoring. These alternative cars usually do not have a plug-in option. Their focus is to eliminate other fossil fuel-related products (e.g., home electricity) to power their second energy system.

Hybrid cars use their power combinations in tandem, with an onboard computer managing the energy source contributions. For example, one configuration might use your batteries for motoring around town, typically involving lower speeds, frequent stops, and periods of idling. As you enter a highway, your gasoline engine would spring to life to provide the power you need to drive at higher speeds for longer periods.

Another configuration might involve using your batteries when your auto is accelerating, decelerating, or stopped in heavy traffic or at a light, allowing your gasoline engine to shut down. As the light turns green, your batteries power your car until it reaches a certain speed, at which time your gasoline engine takes over.

Alternative cars have one primary focus: Reduce fossil fuel use by eliminating your gasoline engine during all wasteful periods (low speeds, idling, stopped, etc.) and using it when it operates at peak efficiency (highway driving).

The future of hybrids

The future of hybrid cars is bright. Once only a curiosity, hybrids are becoming more popular and numerous on the roadways. If the price of auto fuel continues to increase, the purchases of these alternative cars will also increase.

Another reason for the growing popularity of hybrid cars is the consistent improvement in the systems and efficient use of the alternative power sources. As power management coordination becomes more precise, the transition from battery to gasoline and back again is more "seamless" to the driver.

Driving some of the better hybrid cars today offer only one obvious clue to which energy source you're using. The peaceful quiet of your battery pack or the familiar growl when your gasoline engine is fired up tells you which power source you're using.

Once a limiting issue, the level and longevity of your battery power, technology continues to improve both the power level and the staying power of modern battery packs. Along with this increased power, the synchronization between the fuel sources is also becoming smoother and more efficient.

The cost of hybrid cars remains a downside to many people. The technological sophistication needed to meld multiple power sources together is still a bit pricey. Understandably, most drivers want to save money as well as help our environment.

Originally, the cost of alternative cars was often prohibitive based on the monies saved at the gas pump. Recent pricing has become more reasonable and, when matched with the steep increases in gas prices, the "pay back" computations are much more driver friendly.

Future predictions differ in projecting the volume of hybrid cars on our roadways. Some believe they may take over our highways and byways, while others predict a more modest effect.

Most, however, would agree the number of hybrid cars on the road will continue to increase. Improved battery power and better synchronization of energy sources is making hybrid cars more pleasant to drive, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.