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Hybrids: The Vehicles of Our Future. By: Lizzie Napleton & Meredith McDonald. What is a Hybrid?. A hybrid is said to “combine elements from different species.”
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Hybrids: The Vehicles of Our Future By: Lizzie Napleton & Meredith McDonald
What is a Hybrid? • A hybrid is said to “combine elements from different species.” • A hybrid, by definition, is a vehicle that combines both an internal combustion engine with an electric motor as its power source ultimately in order to improve efficiency and improve emissions.
What is a Hybrid? • So, simply put, a hybrid is a vehicle that runs on BOTH gasoline and an electric motor
How does a hybrid work? • Like a regular car, a hybrid’s engine generally runs all the time, while the electric motor placed between the engine and the wheels helps motivate the car. • By assisting the engine, this electric motor improves fuel economy and reduces emissions • Bottom line: hybrids improve fuel economy.
Electric + Gasoline = Hybrid • An electric car has batteries that give electricity to the car’s electric motor, which turns the transmission.Then the transmission turns the wheels. • A gasoline powered car has a fuel tank that supplies gas to the engine, turns the transmission, which turns the wheels. • A hybrid is a combination of the two!
What’s the difference between a hybrid and a normal gasoline vehicle? • A hybrid has a sophisticated transmission and powerful battery that work together to make the most of your gasoline, which as you know is rather expensive these days. • The hybrid uses both its electric motor and battery power up to 30% more fuel savings over a comparable gasoline powered vehicle
What it looks like How it works
What actually goes on when a hybrid is running? • Operates on electric power for several miles at a time while the driver is going slower speeds • When the electric engine is sufficient to power the car, the gas engine shuts off
Car coasts or brakes, the battery pack recharges • In some hybrids, the engine is turned off completely when the vehicle comes to a stop, and is restarted instantly when the brake pedal is released.
A Video to further explain what goes on…. • http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc3pj-7emvY (shows how a hybrid Prius works)
Different Types of Hybrids • it is important to know the different types of hybrids: • Two-mode hybrids • Single-mode hybrids • Plug-in hybrids
Single-mode hybrids • The typical, basic hybrid car • Shuts down its engine automatically at stops to amplify its battery power • Efficient at low speeds because the car can be propelled without the engine
Two-mode hybrid • Not only allows for fuel efficiency at stops, but also on the highway at high speeds, unlike the single-mode • Increases fuel efficiency by 25% • Why? Allows more parts of the engine to quit
Two-mode hybrids • Accommodate to larger vehicles • More reliable and inexpensive parts • Two transmissions • Unlike single-mode’s bulky parts • Higher speeds, accelerate more efficiently
Pros • improved fuel economy • additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools • Tax credits • Save money on gas • Produce less pollution • Reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
Cons • Repair bills $ • Expensive vehicles (generally $2,000-$5,000) • Less powerful engine • Lower acceleration capability • Safety issue • Special tires used are expensive to replace
Hybrid sales have increased drastically within the past ten years, so join the crowd and drive a vehicle of the future!
The Future for Hybrids • Sales will increase drastically • Trucks are predicted to make up almost 35% of hybrid sales within a few years • Automobile industry may demand laws for cleaner emissions regarding diesels
What can you do? • Encourage parents, older siblings to buy a hybrid • Explain to the people in your community how important a hybrid is • Simply ride your bike or walk wherever you can to save gas and produce less pollution • Buy a hybrid yourself and do your part!