| Copyright (c) 2008 Mervyn Rees | | | | cost is only $30.00 apart because the Accord |
| Electrical Automobiles: This technology is still in the | | | | holds more gas than the Civic. Also, there isn't a |
| growth stage and continues to be considered a | | | | massive cost reduction between the less fuel |
| viable alternative to fossil fuel consumption. Let's | | | | efficient Discovery and the Civic; roughly $117.00 |
| face it, if your auto runs on electricity exclusively, | | | | per month or about $1404.00 per year. You |
| then you are not emitting any gases at all. | | | | would quickly absorb the monthly savings via your |
| Environmentally speaking, this is terrific. | | | | off budget expenditures. |
| But wait a minute - how do electric automobiles | | | | Besides, if you can afford to purchase a Land |
| get their power? From batteries which must be | | | | Rover Discovery, do you really care about a |
| continually recharged. And how do you recharge | | | | $117.00 a month savings coupled with the |
| them - by plugging the vehicle into a power outlet. | | | | massive loss of interior space? Probably not, |
| And how is the electricity in the outlet being | | | | however let's take another tack in reasoning the |
| produced? In Power plants running on ... you | | | | purchase of a Hybrid vehicle - the environment. |
| guessed it - petroleum, natural gas, coal, | | | | If you intention is to help the environment, then |
| hydroelectric (water), or nuclear energy. | | | | "yes", by all means purchase a Hybrid vehicle. Not |
| This being the case, are you really helping the | | | | only will you save some money each month, you |
| environment when you plug in your electric car? | | | | will be doing your part to help our planet by |
| Are you really cutting back on non-renewable fuel | | | | slowing down Global Warming. However, you |
| consumption; hardly. Until the product is | | | | won't be reducing the dependence on fossil fuels, |
| self-sufficient or its energy source is clean, buying | | | | a non-renewable source. |
| an electric automobile is like putting a band-aid on | | | | The entire Honda vehicle line is composed of the |
| a knife wound - it doesn't really help much at all. | | | | most emission friendly vehicles being |
| Ah - but the Hybrids, the hybrid automobiles are | | | | manufactured, and are classified as LEV |
| the answer - well maybe. | | | | (Low-emissions vehicle). This designation means |
| A hybrid automobile uses gasoline to run on while | | | | the car is considered to be 70% "cleaner" than |
| charging a large system of batteries. At various | | | | the California 1999 basic new car emissions |
| operating times (depends upon the vehicle) the | | | | standard. The Hybrids are given the UL EV or |
| batteries take over and the gasoline engine shuts | | | | Ultra Low Emission Vehicle rating and are 85% |
| off. | | | | "cleaner". Of course, when the electric engine is |
| Now on the one hand, this is great for increasing | | | | used, there are no emissions, period. |
| fuel efficiency and mileage; but on the other hand, | | | | The real purpose of the Hybrid is fuel efficiency |
| we are still using a non-renewable fuel source. See | | | | and lower emissions - not how much money you |
| the next section for a complete analysis of | | | | save at the pump. |
| hybrids. | | | | The annual cost savings on gas purchases is just |
| Hybrid Automobiles - Are they really worth it? | | | | icing on the cake. |
| Due to the ever increasing gasoline prices, Hybrid | | | | On the other hand we have to start somewhere, |
| autos are becoming more and more popular. But | | | | so as demand for such vehicles increases, they |
| you need to consider why you are considering | | | | become more cost effective to produce. Then |
| purchasing one because your reasoning may not | | | | hopefully improve technically, competition pushes |
| be correct. There are two schools of thought for | | | | development then we will really start to see |
| wanting to purchase a Hybrid car - fuel economy | | | | meaningful benefits. |
| or environmental concerns. | | | | Tips (any area we cover a lot is geared towards |
| If you think you will reap in a huge cost savings | | | | global warming and energy saving or safety. |
| through improved fuel economy - think again. | | | | Tips on fuel economy: |
| Look at this example: | | | | 1. Lose the "lead foot" - having a heavy foot or |
| Land Rover Discovery - average fuel mileage: 18 | | | | excessive throttle is usually attributed to 67% of |
| mpg on 22 gallon tank | | | | the loss in fuel mileage. |
| Honda Accord Hybrid - average fuel mileage: 35 | | | | 2. Check the air pressure in your tires once a |
| mpg on 17 gallon tank | | | | week. |
| Honda Civic Hybrid - average fuel mileage: 48 mpg | | | | 3. Fill up in the early morning - gasoline is denser |
| on 13 gallon tank | | | | when cool. |
| At 1200 miles per month, $3.00 per gallon | | | | 4. Clean the exterior of your vehicle - it reduces |
| gasoline, the cost analysis: | | | | air drag. |
| Land Rover Discovery - 3.3 tank fill-ups = $198.00 | | | | 5. Do not travel more than a few miles for the |
| per month | | | | best price on gasoline - the savings is eaten up by |
| Honda Accord Hybrid - 2.5 tank fill-ups = $113.00 | | | | your wasted time and fuel. |
| per month | | | | 6. Once you have cooled down the vehicle, turn |
| Honda Civic Hybrid - 2.5 tank fill-ups = $82.50 per | | | | off the air conditioning. |
| month | | | | 7. Make sure you keep up your automobile's |
| As you can see, the one factor no one accounts | | | | scheduled maintenance's; any lapses could rob you |
| for is gas tank capacity; the two Honda hybrids | | | | of fuel efficiency and safety. |