| Car manufacturers tout their efficiency. Consumer | | | | consumption, with the electric motor only assisting |
| advocates dispute claims of 60-plus miles per | | | | the gas engine at high speeds when more power |
| gallon gas efficiency. Amidst the controversy, | | | | is needed, thus making the mild hybrid much less |
| environmentalists still claim, in the absence of | | | | environmental friendly than its full hybrid |
| anything better - that hybrid vehicles are still | | | | counterpart. |
| better for the environment than their traditional | | | | Great for in town drivers, the full hybrid allows |
| gas-guzzling counterparts. | | | | slow speeding drivers to virtually use only the |
| Hybrids, known for the way they combine both | | | | electric motor, thus saving even more gas, and |
| gas and electric power to offer a cleaner ride, | | | | eliminating harmful emissions into the environment. |
| have come under fire in recent months for their | | | | Despite any controversy surrounding today's |
| inability to reach gas mileage milestones set by | | | | hybrid vehicles, consumers seem eager to do |
| the manufacturers. Critics say that most fail to | | | | what they can to decrease the harmful effects |
| live up to claims of getting more than 60 miles to | | | | of emissions on the environment and save a few |
| a single gallon of gas. Advocates argue that | | | | bucks at the pumps. Production of hybrid vehicles |
| recent studies confirm the same is true for | | | | has tripled in the last four years, with production |
| efficiency ratings set on traditional engines, still | | | | expected to double in 2007. The Yano Research |
| making hybrids the better deal environmentally. | | | | Institute Ltd. estimates that by 2015, nearly 5.37 |
| Touted as the gas-saver of the future when | | | | million hybrid vehicles will be on the global road, |
| introduced in 1999, hybrids are known to use a | | | | compared to less than one million last year. |
| fraction of the gas due to their ability to "share | | | | Manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon, |
| the burden", with their electric motors. Full hybrid | | | | with Honda, Toyota, Ford, Lexus and Chevrolet, |
| vehicles allow the electric motor to work | | | | all offering their own hybrid varieties. Newer |
| independently of the more traditional internal | | | | models sport higher-powered and faster models, |
| combustion engine, while driving at low speeds. | | | | even making hybrid SUV's and trucks available to |
| This in turn saves gas, and stops harmful | | | | the consumer. Of course, the heavier the vehicle, |
| emissions from entering the atmosphere. During | | | | and the faster it rides, the more gas it is bound |
| an idle stop, a full hybrid actually shuts itself off, | | | | to use, despite the use and size of the internal |
| letting the electric motor take over to eliminate | | | | electric motor. |
| unnecessary idling and emissions. | | | | Still, hybrids remain the most gas efficient and |
| Consumers should be aware, however, that the | | | | environmental friendly vehicles in mass production |
| mild hybrids focus remains on traditional gas | | | | today. |