Hybrid Cars And Its Effects On The Environment Essay

As the gas price is rising up to 140 cents per litre in Canada, many people switch their vehicle to gasoline-electric hybrid car to gain savings from the better fuel efficiency. Many potential consumers for hybrid vehicle and hybrid vehicle owners think that the hybrid system is worth the extra penny due to better fuel economy. However, the realistic is that it has higher maintenance despite of its outstanding fuel economy figures. In fact, the hybrids cause more environmental damage than conventional petro powered vehicles and there are better alternatives. Therefore, hybrids should not be on consumers’ shopping list due to a numerous negative facts that consumers are unaware of.

The rising levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG) caused by the increased use of fossil fuels for energy services—notably transportation, heating, and the generation of electricity—is known to be one of the foremost drivers of climate change. The United States is responsible for one-fourth of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, representing only 5% of the world population and it becomes the world’s single largest emitter of atmospheric greenhouse gasses (EPA, 2011) . Since 1970, the U.S. share of net import of crude oil and consumption had been increased significantly and the majority of the imported liquid-based petroleum fuels were used for U.S. transportation sector (EIA, 2010). Today, the transportation is the second

In light of the constant rises in petroleum prices, climate changes and an economy recovering from the effects of the recent economic downturn, consumers have started to reconsider the usage of electric cars (Global EV Outlook, 2013). Electric Vehicles [EV] have been around since the 1830s, yet it is only recently that countries have experienced an increase in their production thus redefining tomorrow’s automobile and transportation industry. This year, the global production of EV is predicted to rise by 67% (IHS, 2014).

There has been lots of controversy on whether hybrid vehicles are environmentally better than gas vehicles. In this new age of technology and vast growth of human population, there would have to be ways to make driving environmentally healthy considering the fact that millions of people drive(Goffman, “Electric Car Batteries Could Provide Energy for the Smart Grid”). Hybrid cars use clean electric , while gas powered cars use harmful polluting fossil fuels. For the most part, to make sure that this world becomes cleaner, hybrid cars will definitely need to be used in the future. Hybrid cars are environmentally better than gas cars.

Some people have also adopted the hybrid car trend, although many people think hybrid cars help the environment as well. Hybrid cars still uses some form of a gasoline when it is being used, thus creating carbon dioxide emissions. Whereas, the electric vehicle produces no emissions.

On Edmunds.com.” Edmunds. Hybrid cars have been saving the world little by little, first off hybrid cars have an excellent gas mileage because they are powered by an electric motor and slight gas, which can go much more farther than gas powered vehicles(“What Are Hybrid Cars and How Do They Work?). Also it will not produce smog , which is a good thing for the economy and the environment, the other reason why they are good in gas mileage is because the are light and there aerodynamics (“Hybrid Cars--Pros and Cons.” ). Hybrid cars are changing the economy by using much less has and less oil, they are more likely to save you money on the long

II. Most hybrids only use gasoline when needed. The electric motor, powered by a stack of rechargeable batteries, is the primary workhorse for propulsion under low-speed driving.

The article “The Gas-Electric Hybrid Demystified” by Sara R. Howerth, gives the reader some insight on the new developed technology of hybrid cars. The author uses the difference between four engine models; Gas-Engine, Battery Powered Electric, Hybrid model #1 and Hybrid model #2 – to show just how far technology has come and to say that this is only just the beginning. The engine will keep evolving as long as our natural resources continue to diminish and our need for them increases.

If you listen to the car companies, hybrid cars are the best invention since sliced bread. While there are many reasons to buy a hybrid car, including a new tax incentive for US owners, it doesn 't hurt to have a good understanding of how they work. This article explores the myths, benefits and drawbacks of owning one of these new "green" vehicles. Are hybrid cars really more cost effective?

People have talked about for years to make greener cars for the environment. Having a hybrid car has bettered the environment, but everyone that has or buys a hybrid car can get financial benefits. Some people that are buying these cars there companies are encouraging them to buy them with some type of reword to really engorge them to buy the car. Some people don’t want to go to hybrid cars because they think it’s a lot more money to keep up with them but in reality it’s a lot easier going to a hybrid then it is sticking to a gas type car.

Even the “Greener” gasoline hybrid Toyota Prius can only manage 53 miles per gallon. If you are only running on gasoline, the best you can get in a vehicle is 42 miles per gallon. Yet even with the hybrid technology available today, the consumer only sees a marginal return on the upfront higher cost. The cost to replace a hybrid battery pack runs up to $7,000. This adds up to approximately zero cost savings over the life of the vehicle. This is why incentives from the government are offered and why hybrid cars and trucks only appeal to some people’s conscience and not their wallets. For example, Volkswagen’s Diesel models all range from 40-46 miles per gallon. I do not call into question that a hybrid vehicle is more fuel efficient than a non-hybrid vehicle because that is nonsense, but I do think diesel engines are superior to gasoline hybrids in fuel economy and usefulness. I intend to prove the value and affordability of the Diesel engine versus the gasoline hybrid engine.

“Hybrid” cars can be good for the environment because they are an “alternative, being used to decrease the emissions of vehicles and to decrease the amount of fossils being used” (Kukreja). “Hybrids also cost less to operate because of fuel usage” (Kukreja). Hybrids benefit from using less fuel by saving money and by stopping carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter from entering the environment. Less fossil fuels being used means less money spent on fuel! Hybrid cars have an electric motor that runs the transmission, so the gasoline engine never directly powers the car. Even though hybrid cars take gas, the car uses nowhere as much as an actual gasoline powered car.

In the recent years there has been an increase of plug-in electric, hybrid type vehicles on the road. Many people would argue that hybrid vehicles are not a big thing and that they are insubordinate to the piston engine type vehicles. The matter of the fact is that electric vehicles are the way to go for many reasons from saving money to saving the environment and planet.

These cars operate from a rechargeable battery and gasoline. The engines are smaller so that they will be able to accommodate the 99% of time when the car is not going uphill or accelerating quickly. The battery is used to give extra acceleration power if needed. When the car is stopped, hybrid gasoline motors can shut off and run off their electric motor and battery. These cars are aerodynamic and the tires are often stiffer and inflated higher to reduce dragging.

A number of hybrid vehicles have been built and tested since 1980. Some of these vehicles have impressed analysts with their performance and low levels of exhaust and petroleum consumption. Interest in hybrid vehicles jumped in late 1993 with the announcement of funding for