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