Do you actually believe that hybrid vehicles are the future?

Question

I really have a hard time believing their promises in mileage, and nobody recognizing their shortcomings.
Oh, and why does honda make a V6 hybrid accord? Doesn't that defeat the purpose? Isn't there an unreal amount of parts to break and maintainance?

Answer 1

I personally don't see hybrids as becoming "the standard." The big reason that we're seing them so much at the moment is that they are areadily marketable now--a sort of "baby step" away from relying entirely on gasoline.

In short, the hybrid is probably a "transition technology." I expect that the dominant vehicle (for urban transportation, at least) will be all-electric--though there may be a permanent slot for hybrid engines for rural/working vechicles that need the range and power.

Or possibly hydrogen fuel cels--though those aren't feasible yet as a cost-effective system for individual cars.

Answer 2

I believe that hybrid technology will play a major role but will most likely be combined with hydrogen technology. hydrogen automotive technology is already employed by industrial and commercial companies. GM currently builds hybrid and hydrogen busses for use in cities around the world. the technology is here and advancing rapidly i would strongly think that both technologies will play a major role in the automobile going forward. Hydrogen is the worlds most abundant resource and within a few years we will have efficient and effective ways of extracting and using it to power vehicles in a wide spread commercial way. Hybrids also actually cost less to maintain and break down less frequently.. it has been reported that hybrid taxis in new york city save ten thousand dollars a year on fuel, and need alot less maintainance than their non hybrid counterparts. a hybrid can be made on any engine even a V-8 because hybrid technology not only will cut down on fuel usage of the vehicle but also turns off while idling and saves gas in a variety of ways for the user. so someone buying a v-8 will get the performance of a v-8 engine but get 75-80% less pollution and get the mileage of a v-6 it is really a win win situation with the hybrid technology. in city driving the prius can get 100+ miles per gallon which is a real joy considering most other vehicles only get 20 at most. i would seriously consider you research hybrid technology and the advances being made on all fronts with regards to the automobile.

Answer 3

No but they are a bridge to the future and they can save a great deal of gas and pollution right now. GM has been spending millions on the hydrogen fuel cell car which creates no pollution and is plentiful. The hydrogen fuel cell car is here now but there has to be fuel delivery system in place and that will take awhile. Hybrids are vialble right now and they are actually nice cars. The Civic provides electric power for around town and only uses the inline 6 when it is needed. If you have a Prius right now you are not suffering from the gas prices, and they will get 60 miles to the gallon so long as you are not constantly punching the gas engine. Hybrids work by Hydrogen is the actual future.

Answer 4

Hi,
I suppose I'm a bit prejudiced on this, since I own a Prius.

My thinking is that they are the best available step you can take now and that you will probably have plenty of time to wear out your hybrid before something better comes along.

On the mileage front, they do get better mileage. I have 37000 miles on my Prius, and have a grand total mileage just under 50 mpg -- this is more than twice the mileage I got on the Subaru Outback that the Prius replaced (about the same size car). Consumer Reports which is as unbiased as they come says the Prius has the best mileage of any care they have ever tested -- it also has the highest customer satisfaction for any car they have tested two years running.

My Prius experience:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Vehicles/ourprius.htm

I figure that I spent about $3000 extra from the hybrid feature, this means that with $3 a gallon gas I have already recouped the extra I paid.

My 2 cents :)

Gary

Answer 5

i test drove a Camry hybrid for a few days and the only place i think they might be use full is if you do a lot of city driving under 35 mph in a area that is flat . i live in NW Ontario where you are either going up hill or down and i found it burnt more gas than a regular car but that's a fairly big car with a little 4 banger a little under powered. i think the v6 would be more efficient for this area and still very cheap at the gas pump when just bombing around town. the little 4 bangers burn more gas i found on the hwy due to the fact they are under powered. look at the Hyundai Santa Fe a 2 ton hybrid brick avail in 2.4 ltr that one is only good for flat streets under 35 mph on the hwy you would see the gas pump a lot

Answer 6

I think hybrid vehicles are just an interim solution. In the long run, we need a new technology that doesn't rely on fossil fuels. It might be hydrogen fuel cells, rechargeable electric cars with batteries that provide much greater range than the existing ones, or something we haven't thought of yet. The point is that it's time to stop thinking in terms of 19th-century internal combustion technology and start thinking outside the box.

Answer 7

No - but it's a start. Just like unleaded vehicles and compact cars in the 70's paved the way for the hybrid - the hybrid is paving the way for an even better option in the years to come.

Answer 8

I agree with Gary. I think they are the best step we can take now.

As the technology of hybrids becomes cheaper to produce, and diesels become cheaper and produce less particulate matter and NOx, I think we will see clean diesel hybrids that offer 75 city/65 highway very soon.

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Answer 9

YES. Gas & electric to start and meet transition needs until electric car infrastructure replaces oil based infrastructure.

Answer 10

Answer to yuor first Q, yes i think that hybrids are the answer to global warming.