There is generally one very good thing about improving technology and that is that it also helps to improve and educate people. Car engines are now very sophisticated and efficient and this has brought to the fore the fact that we need to find alternative methods of powering our vehicles so that we are not so reliant on fossil fuels. Engineers are creating engines that can run on other sources of energy but still have the range of a traditional petrol or diesel driven vehicle and they have come up with the hybrid engine. So what is a Hybrid car? In simple terms, it is a motor vehicle that has two sources of power which are battery or fuel. When the engine is required to deliver power, such as when you are driving normally on a highway or motorway, the combustion engine works to give the power. When the car is moving slowly or in a stop start situation such as driving in busy towns, the battery kicks in and takes over delivery of the power.
It is a fact that has been known for a considerable time that a petrol or diesel engine is not efficient at low speeds and that the exhaust emissions can be considerably higher than those coming from an engine that is working at a higher range. This is one reason why the automotive industry has been working to develop the hybrid car. There are now several different types of hybrid car available on the market with the choices growing every year. Hybrid vehicles can be anything from small city cars to family cars to SUVs and they are becoming ever more sophisticated and efficient as the technology advances. However, will they be around in the future? In short, yes, at least for the foreseeable future. Hybrid cars are already becoming more affordable and as oil is getting more expensive and will become more difficult to obtain in the future, it will be even more important to have access to vehicles that work from power sources other than oil . Hybrid vehicles are not only more advantageous because they are more fuel efficient and use less, they also produce fewer emissions. Pollution levels a decade ago were rising and for this reason governments have been trying to tackle emissions and pollution levels. Hybrid vehicles have been developed to run on other fuels not only as a way to save motorists money, but also as a way to reduce the carbon footprint. There are also engines that can run on bio fuels and recycled cooking oil which reduces the amount of fuel oil required and also the emissions created. Using cleaner fuels and the development of cleaner engines is a goal that must be strived for because we have become so reliant upon our vehicles for every aspect of our lives. As the technology continues to develop, the hybrid car will become more commonplace and as such the purchase costs will be reduced. Toyota was one of the first manufacturers to develop a hybrid car with its Prius model being rolled out in 1997. Since then, most of the big motor manufacturers have followed suit with Honda, Ford, Nissan and Volkswagen among the well known names producing a selection of hybrid vehicles. The future of the hybrid vehicle looks assured as they continue to be developed and become more accessible and cheaper to run.
Graham Baylis writes articles for Exol Lubricants with the aim informing their customers about the subject of lubrication oils and fluids. If you are interested in this area, their blog is also a resouorce that you should not miss out on. See www.exol-lubricants.com for more.
Is there such a thing as Water Hybrid Cars? This is a very popular question at the moment. When first hearing about the technology of water fueled engines, I thought probably the same thing as you are probably thinking right now, something on the lines of - you can't run a car on water, that is a load of hype. How can a car engine run on water? These are statements a lot of people say to themselves about this technology. The researched information about the water hybrid car technology was amazing and this technology was found out to have been around for over 100 years.
Over 100 years unknown to the motor industry, a car that is able to run on water! Why would car manufacturers fail to build a water fueled hybrid car for the major car companies to promote? Put simply, they make so much money and revenue from vehicles that run on fossil fuels (petrol/Diesel) that if they invented and brought out the water hybrid car, the worlds oil/fuel economy would be affected dramatically. So it is easy to work out why the people who benefit from gas prices increasing do not want you, me and others to know about the possibility of a water hybrid car being available to save major amounts of money on fuel costs.
How would any car become a water hybrid car you may ask? Well this is very simple to do, your car engine can be converted to become a hybrid engine (the meaning of this is it can become duel fuel). Your car engine burns gas (created by the fumes from your fuel source i.e. petrol/diesel/bio diesel/cooking oil) inside the carburettor, this gas is ignited (combusted- exploded) to make the parts of your engine move. This is how all vehicle engines work, so for your vehicle to become a water hybrid car you would need to install what is called an hho generator technology to your engine. Then it will be able to be converted into a water hybrid car ( very similar to converting a car to use liquid petroleum gas).
How does someone convert their engine? Where do you get the hho generator technology from? This is very simple - there are full review pages and information sites which can be researched to be fully informed on: 1) How this technology really works? 2) Where to get the hho technology from? 3) How much one of these generators will cost? 4) What will the cost be to convert my engine into a water hybrid car? Depending on size of engine etc approximately $80 - $140
Why don't you review and research the Top 5 HHO Generators and the latest in designs for yourself now!.
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Since there is a lot of emphasis on hybrid cars these days, it is interesting to look at how a hybrid car works. Any vehicle that is able to work with two power sources could be called a hybrid vehicle. The simplest of the hybrids is the moped that could be pedaled or run by the engine. In a hybrid car the two power sources are the internal combustion engine and an electric motor. While the storage of power for the electric motor is provided by the battery the engine generates its power with gasoline obtained from a fuel tank.
There are two types of hybrid cars when you consider the way they work. One is called the parallel hybrid and the other is called the series hybrid. In a parallel hybrid car, both electric motor and the gasoline engine work independently. Also both are linked to transmission and both could run the car at the same time. This means in a parallel hybrid, the engine is supported by the electric motor continuously.
In contrast, in a series hybrid, there is a generator that either charges a battery or provides the power to run an electric motor. As such, the gasoline engine will not power the transmission at any time. Therefore, it will never drive the car.
When it comes to performance, the advantage with a hybrid car is that the engine could be a relatively smaller one. Therefore, the car could be made lighter to compensate the weight of the battery. Also the smaller engines are more efficient than the bigger ones.
There are several reasons for smaller engines to be more efficient than their larger counterparts. One is that they are heavier and need more power every time the car starts to run and when pulling uphill. Another reason is that their pistons are heavier and more fuel is consumed to push them up. Finally, these large engines have more cylinders and each burns some fuel.
In addition to the battery being charged by the engine, hybrid vehicles are able to charge their batteries when the driver wants to reduce speed. When you apply brakes, instead the engine driving the motor and the motor driving the transmission the transmission drives the motor. When this happens the motor will work similar to a generator and will produce electricity to be stored in the battery. This means every time you slow down the car, your hybrid car will charge its batteries.
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If you are a car enthusiast you will be interested to know how a hybrid car works. They are the most viable answer found so far to the problem of high fuel prices. They basically have two power sources. One is an internal combustion engine that burns gasoline in order to power the vehicle. The other is a battery that could store electric power to run an electric motor that could power the automobile.
The biggest advantage with hybrid cars is that they are able to generate power with the kinetic energy it will otherwise waste during applying brakes and when the vehicle is going downhill. Though a normal automobile will burn fuel to power the breaks the hybrids will absorb the energy and store it in their batteries in order to use it when the vehicle needs power. Due to this reason, a hybrid car is able to provide much better mileage per gallon of fuel than regular automobiles.
There are two types of hybrid cars. One is called the parallel hybrid and the other is the series hybrid. In a parallel hybrid car both the engine and the battery driven motor are connected to the transmission. When the vehicle moves, both gasoline engine and the electric motor provide power. Due to this reason, most hybrids use smaller engines to make them low in weight. These do not need a special starter motors to start them as the electric motor is able to do that. When it comes to series hybrids their engines are connected to the generators and the generators are able to either drive the transmission in order to move the vehicle or to charge the batteries . A hybrid car uses several strategies to save power in order to emit cleaner emissions and to save money by using less fuel. When the car is stopped at a traffic signal, it doesn't need to run the engine. Therefore, the engine is shut off and only the electric motor will run. They also use lighter engines to reduce weight. The aero dynamic design is another way they save fuel. This will reduce the air resistance to a minimum.
Any hybrid car is made out of strong but light weight materials. This will reduce the overall weight of the automobile. Normally plastics, aluminium and carbon fiber are used. Almost all hybrid automobiles use gasoline engines but there are some diesel powered hybrids that are on the experimental stage. They could be still better on fuel economy.
Cars are the most popular mode of transport. However, their emissions have become a serious issue. Hybrid cars are an attempt to make them greener.
Since hybrid first exploded onto the scene at the turn of the century, fears of spending tens of thousands of dollars to replace the advanced batteries used to power the hybrid system have haunted buyers, potential buyers, and PR executives at auto makers. As the first cars on the market start to hit the 100,000 mile/ten year mark and beyond, the demand for replacement batteries has skyrocketed and the price has shocked many hybrid owners.
Newsweek reports that sales of replacement batteries for hybrid cars were up 58% last month, despite the significant costs associated with battery replacement. However, both Toyota and Honda, the two largest manufacturers of hybrid cars say that only a small numbers of dead batteries have been reported once the cars' 100,000 or 150,000 mile warranties have expired. When I say small, I mean 1% for older models and fractions of a percent for the more updated technology found in newer hybrids (basically, after 2004).
But for those who are out of the warranty and facing the reality of having to replace the battery, what is the cost? Just a few weeks ago, the cost was much higher than it is now. As demand rose, hybrid manufacturers realized that if the prices didn't come down, things could get ugly. So Honda and Toyota slashed battery prices to $1,968-$3,000 - a substantial savings over what they were prior to June 1, 2008 ($3,400-$5,500). Hybrid owners who still have a while on their warranties can also breathe easy; new plants to mass-produce replacement batteries are in the works, which should bring the prices down even more.
Anytime you buy a used car, you run the risk of not finding a potential problem that could end up costing you a lot down the road. And anytime a new technology is introduced, the early adopters are willing to risk paying a higher price and being the guinea pigs for the new product. In the case of hybrid cars, these two scenarios are simultaneous, which is unfortunate for those first buyers, but without them and their willingness to take risks, the hybrid industry would not be where it is today.
Jeff Carey is a green vehicle enthusiast who manages a portfolio of more than 60 hybrid and electric blogs. Learn more and subscribe to his monthly newsletter at http://www.hybridkingdom.com.
In the beginning, arranging for the charging station installation will be part of the purchasing process of buying your first Electric Vehicle (EV). All approved chargers by the various manufacturers will be compliant with SAE J1772 standards for electric vehicles and electrical connectors.
You won't be able to buy the car unless you are willing to install a charging station your home. Consumers who buy the Nissan Leaf will be required to use their exclusive contractor, AeroVironment, for installation of the home chargers. They may be able to install their own charging equipment if they sign a waiver.
The Chevy Volt will come standard with a 110 volt charger which will allow you to charge directly from your home wall outlet. For Volt customers who prefer to have a 240 V rapid charger installed, SPX service solutions is the exclusive contractor for the installation of their rapid charging station.
There is a big difference in the vehicles range due to the size of their battery packs. Chevrolet considers the Volt to be a hybrid vehicle which can be plugged in. GM describes the car as an extended range EV (electric vehicle) with a smaller battery. The LEAF is strictly electric with a much larger battery pack that is 2-3 times the size of the Volts. The Chevy Volts 16kwh battery will probably only ever use 8 kw of it. The Leaf will contain a 24 KWh battery, but will probably need to use 80-90% in order to increase the battery life. In order to fully charge the LEAF, it will need to be plugged into a 110v outlet for the entire day. It is expected that the cost to install a Level II home charging unit will run about $2,200.
Because the Nissan LEAF and Chevy Volt are expected to be the first cars which will require the installation of a Level 2 home charger until 2012, it is expected that the demand for home charging units will remain low, unless a surprising number of first owners opt to have the rapid chargers professionally installed.
Now there are a number of companies entering the charging station market. AeroVironment was the first company to devote itself to developing and building Level II home charging units. The reason they won the contract from Nissan was probably because they were the first one with a product to offer. Most of the other companies that are developing and building charging stations focused on industrial units for commercial and municipal installations. However that is changing as the first mass market electric vehicles are finally ready to launch.
Below are the current companies that manufacture Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
ECOtality- ETec
Now called ECOtality North America, ECOtality has been producing electric charging stations for quite a while. Industrial equipment such as forklifts have used electric charging technology for some time. They have used their experience to market the Minit-Charger for both residential and commercial charging applications. The EV Project which is managed by ECOtalty is seeking to install thousands of charging stations over the next year in the 5 states where the EV's will first be released. ECOtality also installs stations made by other manufacturers. ECOtality builds both level I and level II chargers but does not make fast DC charging equipment. ECOtality has recently introduced a new line of commercial and home Level II charging stations. It is believed that the new stations-designed by global industrial design firm, frog design-will help update their conservative image.
SPX
SPX has been selected by Chevrolet to be the exclusive service provider for the purchase and installation of the Chevy Volt 240 Volt rapid home charger. SPX will facilitate every aspect of the purchase and installation of the rapid chargers which will charge the Volt in approximately 4 hours. The SPX team will advise homeowners on the requirements to upgrade their electrical service to accommodate the home charging system and will even assist them in taking the necessary steps to qualify for reduced electric utility rates.
AeroVironment
AeroVironment was chosen to be the exclusive home charging installation contractor for the Nissan LEAF. Even though AeroVironment is mostly known for residential installations, they are one of the few companies that sell both Level II and fast charging DC chargers for commercial use. AeroVironment is a well established company that developed unmanned aircraft for the military for many years. The company was responsible for the charger for the Impact, the precursor to the GM EV1 built in the 1990's. They also developed the charging stations for the EV1, so it is only natural that they would manufacture the new versions of charging stations.
Coulomb Technologies
Coulomb technologies is one of the better known EV charging manufacturers. Coulomb is rapidly building out their membership Charge Point network which will allow their members to pull up to any of their stations and begin charging immediately. Currently most of the 300 stations they have installed are Level I, however they have now begun installing Level II chargers as well.
Clipper Creek
A less well known company, Clipper Creek has been selling chargers for decades. The design of their equipment is not as modern and sleek as some of the newer styles. Their chargers are geared more towards fleet installation rather than residential or businesses. Clipper Creek has made it well known that their products can be installed anywhere. They handle the home charging installations for the Tesla Roadster. These charging stations are meant for Level II charging only and come in a variety of configurations to meet their customers' needs.
General Electric
The newest entrant in the EV charging station market is GE. They just introduced their new Watt Station charger. The first release is meant primarily for commercial installations, but there are plans to introduce a residential version later this year. The Watt Station is known for its attractive design. Legendary designer Yves Behar is the genius behind the sleek style of the Watt Station. It is also the first model that incorporates Wi-Fi smart technology.
PEP Stations
A little known company called PEP has begun working with Ford to build rugged robust charging stations that can handle rough usage. These units are architectural in design with a concrete base and stainless steel top. These units are primarily marketed to commercial and municipal installations. This obscure company has no track record, so their quality remains to be seen. The designers used high quality automotive grade components, so they are built to be robust.
Better Place
Better Place is known for battery switching techniques. They have now begun installation of vehicle charging stations in Israel and Denmark. So far they don't have any plans to sell their units for residential use. We mention them here because they may change their strategy to offer residential charging options.
Leviton
Leviton is a huge and well known electrical supply company. They are along established company with a large number of service technicians. Leviton is including a 10 year warranty on their "Evr-green" home and commercial charging stations. The Leviton Evr-Green charging stations can support both Level I and Level II charging and will integrate with Charge Point charging stations. Leviton has also introduced a standard installation method that is the industry's first pre-wired plug in system for their Level II chargers. This system will enable consumers to make their homes "plug in ready" before they purchase any electric car. This prewired system has a starting price of less than $200, not including installation and is meant to lower installation costs and reduce installation times. The prewired kits are required to be installed by an installer certified by Leviton, but once the system has been installed, the Level II charging station can later be easily added by the consumer.
Currently these are the main players in the electric car charging market place. Only time will tell who will emerge as the market leader and what other new players will join the fray. If you have heard of any other players that are making electric car charging stations, please let me know so that I can include them in this list.
Many people think that the United States is the only economy that is struggling right now, but this is far from being true. There are many other global economies that are also struggling and are looking for ways to save money as well as be more efficient. With this worldwide awakening to efficiency and environmentalism, it makes sense that people are looking into alternative forms of fuel. There are millions of people that live in the world that are looking to conserve. One of the best ways to save money is through the use of cost-efficient fuel, namely LPG. LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas and it is a much cleaner fuel that allows people to get better gas mileage as well as extend the life of their engine. LPG Cars have risen in popularity and are continuing to be put in the spotlight as the population sees the major benefits that come from using this alternative fuel source.
One of the main things that has brought LPG so much attention is its price. LPG is much cheaper than your typical oil, and can be bought for almost half of the price. So why wouldn't you go with a fuel that is half the price as well as more efficient? LPG is made from a mixture of butane and propane which puts less stress on your car and also does much less damage to the environment. Because of how many people that commute to work every single day it would makes sense for the general population to start moving towards a cleaner fuel source so that they can preserve our beautiful world and keep their cities clean.
Another pro to going with an LPG car is that most of the time the cars that run this type of fuel are much smaller than the typical American idea of "Bigger is Better". Americans get so caught up in buying huge trucks, SUV's, and vans that they forget how much these vehicles pollute the air. Smaller cars are great because cities are usually are very congested and there are usually a lot more drivers on the road. This way it can be easier to navigate your way around and find parking when you need to.
There are a lot of benefits that come with LPG, and many countries can benefit from them all around the world. Do your research and look more into LPG cars to see how they can be a benefit to you and your family, no matter where you live.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan brings the quality and reliability of the Camry together with increased fuel efficiency.
The Camry Hybrid is a front-wheel drive four-door sedan that seats five passengers. Available in one well appointed trim it comes standard with Hybrid Synergy Drive, a combination electric motor/gasoline engine fitted with an efficient, continuously variable transmission. The standard warranty for hybrid-related components is 8 years/100,000 miles. A moonroof, navigation system, leather seats and heated front seats are optional. Standard safety features include stability and traction control, seven-airbags, and a tire pressure monitor.
The 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid has been redesigned.
You'll never get accused of recklessness for buying a Toyota Camry. In the Toyota Prius, the hybrid system was a bold move into unknown technology. The first half of the Camry Hybrid drivetrain is a 147 horsepower version of the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. The battery pack consists of 34 nickel metal hydride modules, each of which contains six 1.2-volt cells. Run it all through a continuously variable transmission, and it adds up to 192 horsepower, versus the standard Camry's 158 hp. Toyota employs the full regimen of safety features for the Camry Hybrid, from the standard Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) system, which orchestrates antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, and steering boost—to the Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) seat design found in the Prius.
Toyota set the price for the Camry Hybrid at $25,200. The first set of Camry Hybrids was all produced in Japan. In 2007, Toyota began producing approximately 4,000 Camry Hybrids per month in its Georgetown, KY, plant, where it currently turns out Camrys at the rate of 30,000 per month.
Toyota plans to sell 60,000 Camry Hybrids, or 15 percent of all Camry sales. Naysayers believe gas-electric hybrids will reach the limit of their market potential when the East Coast and West Coast fringe have bought their Priuses. The Camry Hybrid will test that premise like never before.
NHTSA Frontal Crash Test
NHTSA rates crash-tested vehicles by assigning them one to five stars, with five stars indicating the most injury protection and one star indicating the least protection
Exterior
On the outside, the redesigned 2007 Camry trades a conservative image for what Toyota calls "a more stylish, athletic, modern image." That means a pinch of Lexus styling added to the same old Camry: a sleeker shape, two-inch longer wheelbase, fancier instrument panel, and other features like a tilting-telescoping steering wheel. The hybrid gets dressed up a bit more with a matte-chrome grille, blue-tinted headlight reflectors, LED tail lamps, and the hybrid badges.
Toyota earned its reputation for quality by its attention to detail. Expect the same with the engineering and layout of the 2007 Camry. For example, they reduced internal friction and enhanced the Camry engine block's rigidity to improve fuel economy and reduce noise and vibration. In the hybrid version, they added wheel spats and underbelly pans to improve the aerodynamics (down to an impressive 0.27 drag of coefficient.) They also managed to retain the 60/40 rear-seat folding split, which is lost in Honda hybrids to make room for the extra hybrid components.
Interior
The Camry Hybrid is loaded with cool standard features including a tire-pressure monitoring system (very helpful for optimizing fuel economy), halogen headlamps, Bluetooth connectivity, a 440-watt premium audio system (MP3 and WMA compatible, with auxiliary input for iPod), smart keyless entry, push-button starting, and dual climate control. The list of options includes a moonroof, voice-activated navigation system, leather-trimmed interior, and heated seats. The in-dash multi-function trip computer display is standard on the hybrid.
For three decades, Honda has played a leading role in meeting environmental challenges. The Civic Hybrid is living proof that environmentalism and style can go hand in hand.
Power at the Pump
The benefits of the refined gasoline-electric powertrain on the Civic Hybrid are never more evident than when you watch those little numbers adding up at the pump. And with an EPA-estimated city/highway rating of 40 city/45 hwy mpg [1], you'll spend a lot less time at the gas station.
Help Clear the Air
The air also benefits with the Advanced Technology Partial-Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV)[2] rating, which is the most stringent emission standard achieved by a gasoline-powered vehicle in the U.S.
The goal of the 2010 Honda Insight is to make the best use of the most cost-effective hybrid technology. For the new Insight’s design, Honda uses a shape that’s coming to define hybrid and electric vehicles: a five-door hatchback with a smooth front and a high, abrupt tail.
The differences between the 2010 Honda Insight and the 2010 Toyota Prius, can be easily summarized: The Insight is thousands of dollars cheaper, gets comparable fuel economy, has a crisper look and provides a more agile and enjoyable ride. But the Insight is noticeably smaller, especially for passengers in the backseat. The Insight is smaller than the Prius by 2.5 inches in both length and height, and also has a 6-inch shorter wheelbase. While the Prius is classed as a mid-sized car based on its interior volume, the Insight is a compact. The dashboard of the Insight looks like a blending of the Honda Civic and Honda Fit.
Insight EX models add alloy wheels, cruise control, 6-speaker audio system with USB audio interface, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters, Honda Vehicle Stability Assist and an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition.
Driver Controls and Feedback, For Max MPG
The dashboard EcoGuide accumulates data on driving patterns, so hypermiling drivers can analyze their history to improve driving strategies. Overall, Honda claims the Insight’s IMA system is 19 percent smaller and 28 percent lighter than the previous generation used in the current Honda Civic Hybrid.
The Honda Insight is rated at 40 miles per gallon on the city cycle, and 43 mpg on the highway, for a combined mileage of 41 miles per gallon.
2010 Honda Insight - Key Features
The 60/40 split rear fold-down seat back lets you create the right balance of people and cargo.
In addition to displaying exterior temperature, average fuel consumption, and current MPG, the Multi-Information Display also provides feedback on your braking and acceleration to help you drive more efficiently.
With eight gigabytes of memory and voice recognition, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition provides directions using a series of 24 global positioning satellites. Bluetooth-enabled cell phones can do hands-free dialing with up to 50 contacts per phone stored within the system.
The EX model’s USB Audio Interface can read flash drives loaded with MP3 or WMA files. You can also plug in your compatible iPod to this port, which not only charges the device but also allows it to be controlled using the interface dial on the head unit or steering wheel.
Standard safety features on all Insights include dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver- and front-passenger active head restraints and a front body designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries.
Accessories for the 2010 Insight include: Fog Lights; Body Side Molding; Door Visors; Splash Guards; Front and Rear Underbody Spoiler; Wheel Locks; Auto Day/Night Mirror; Cargo Cover; Cargo Tray; Floor Mats; Leather Steering-Wheel Cover.
2010 Honda Insight – Technology
Under the Insight’s hood is a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine putting out 98 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque—obviously tiny for what Honda claims is a five-passenger subcompact. It’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provides infinite ratios to keep the engine operating within its most efficient range. On the upscale EX model, Honda offers paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel that give the driver the experience of a seven-speed gearbox. A CVT doesn’t actually have gears, so the system uses electronics to direct the transmission to up- or downshift in specific ways when a driver hits the paddle.
The hybrid heart of the system is the fifth generation of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. The lightweight, ultra-thin electric motor between the engine and transmission puts out 10 kilowatts (13 horsepower). It is powered by a flat nickel metal hydride battery pack that sits under the rear deck, just behind the gas tank under the rear seat. The battery holds 0.58 kilowatt hours of energy—just slightly less than half the 1.3 kilowatt-hours of the current Toyota Prius pack. The Insight battery is recharged with both spare engine power and regenerative braking, and its accelerator connects to an electronic sensor rather than a cable, also known as “drive-by-wire."
Energy for the motor is stored in the usual nickel metal hydride battery pack. Just as Ford has done with the new Fusion hybrid, Honda has updated the Insight's battery, making it smaller and lighter. It contains 7 modules with a dozen D-size cells each. The power output of the modules is 30 percent greater than the Civic and the pack has a total capacity of 580 Wh. That's somewhat less than the 869 Wh of the Civic but it's in keeping with the cost-reduced nature of the Insight. The power electronics, motor ECU and an air cooling system are all integrated with the battery pack. The entire assembly sits below the cargo floor between the rear wheels.
Building On the Insight Tradition
The 2010 Honda Insight is a major improvement from the legacy model. In Sept. 2006, Honda stopped making the old Honda Insight, a teardrop-shaped two-seater that was loved by many happy owners, but also perceived as impractical by mainstream consumers. Despite the old model’s real-world fuel economy of nearly 70 miles per gallon, the company sold fewer than 2,000 Insights in 2005, and fewer than 1,000 units through Sept. 2006 before the company pulled the plug.
The five-door 2010 Insight breathes new life into Honda’s hybrid efforts. It’s the first of several vehicles that Honda will build on a dedicated hybrid platform—the next will be the sporty two-seater CR-Z. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded hybrid vehicle production line at the Suzuka factory in Japan.
It took 10 years for Toyota to sell its first 1 million hybrids globally. The Nikkei reported last month that Toyota plans to double its global production of hybrids vehicles from the 2009 level by 2011. Toyota expects US car sales to rise 10 percent this year to about 11.4 million vehicles.
(Picture left: Toyota FT-CH) Toyota currently makes the Camry Hybrid in the United States, at its Georgetown, Ky. plant. Honda, the second largest global hybrid producer, made less than 150,000 hybrids in 2009.
Toyota currently sells more than 10 hybrids, including dedicated models such as the Prius and Lexus HS 250h—as well as the Toyota Sai, a sister model to the HS 250h only sold in Japan. Toyota plans to boost production of these existing vehicles in addition to launching new hybrid minivans, subcompacts and luxury cars, according to the report.
No details are available yet on the Toyota hybrid minivan.
Toyota introduced its first-generation Prius hybrid in 1998 to the Japanese market. Honda's HEV features the company's innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system that was detailed in Green Car Journal's Fall 2004 issue.
Toyota uses its sophisticated Hybrid Synergy Drive system to power todays Prius, a follow-on to the first-generation Toyota Hybrid System. Both automakers are now offering their second generation hybrid vehicles. Both the Toyota and Honda hybrids are parallel configurations, with wheels driven by both their internal combustion engine and electric motor. The Honda IMA systems electric motor/generator supplies additional power to the gasoline engine when needed for acceleration or when driving demands are greater, such as when climbing grades, thus the designation motor assist. The Honda gasoline engine always provides propulsion.
Things are reversed with Toyotas Hybrid Synergy Drive, which finds the Prius starting out on battery electric power. The gasoline engine seamlessly starts up to provide additional power during acceleration, at higher speeds, or when driving up grades. Hondas hybrids cannot do this.
The Prius uses a four-cylinder, 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine. The four-stroke Atkinson cycle, invented by James Atkinson in 1882, is different than the Otto cycle engine were used to driving in very distinct ways. Restricting throttle opening results in large pumping losses and greatly reduced efficiency. Effectively, the use of the Atkinson cycle allows the Prius engine to operate quite efficiently at relatively low power levels while still having sufficient power for climbing hills at freeway speeds.
The Prius uses the same basic 1.5 liter engine as the Toyota Echo, where the engine is rated at 108 horsepower at 6000 rpm. Variable intake valve timing (VVT-I) reduces cylinder pressure to eliminate knocking, important because the engine has a 13:1 compression ratio. The aluminum, dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) 16-valve engine produces 76 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 82 lbs-ft of torque at 4200 rpm. The engine earns an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) rating, is a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV), and has an EPA rating of 60 mpg city/51 mpg highway, for a combined estimated 55 mpg fuel economy rating.
The permanent magnet, AC (alternating current) synchronous motor produces 67 horsepower (50 kW) at 1200-1540 rpm. A built-in transformer converts some of the hybrid batterys power into 12 volts DC to operate vehicle accessories. In the latest generation Prius, the high voltage converter system increases battery voltage from 202 volts to 500 volts for driving the electric motor. This Power Split Device allows the engine to operate in its most efficient load and speed range most of the time. The planetary gear system connects the engine, generator, and motor together, allowing operation in a parallel hybrid mode with the electric motor and gasoline alone or together powering the car. It can also operate like a series hybrid when the gasoline engine operates independently of the vehicle speed to charge the battery or provide power to the wheels.
This advanced hybrid vehicle shares virtually nothing with other Toyota models. Hybrid Synergy Drive is quite scalable, so expect to see it used in other Toyota and Lexus models. Other Toyota hybrid models will be sure to follow.
One of the biggest advantages of opting for a car that runs on water is the fantastic savings that you will be making. This technology is one of the best ways to save money.
Better Performance
Further, your car will also perform better over longer periods of time. There are many individuals who insists that the engine becomes quieter and the car performs better as one uses this technology
A brief overview of how this technology works
The electrolysis of the water begins after the installation of the kit, which is connected to the battery and the electrical system for power generation. The power is used to converts water into HHO gas. The gas combines with gasoline to enhance combustion and improve efficiency.
The 4 Most Frequent Questions on Car that Runs on Water:
1- Is there any safety risk involved?
As long as you follow the instruction manual properly and fulfill the requirements, there is absolutely no security risk
2- Does this pollute?
If your car uses water converted into gas, your gasoline will burn better and will pollute less. HHO gas improves performance by reducing pollution.
3- How tough is the installation process?
You need not know a lot about cars and need not even be good at installing things. This is because this guide is a step by step model. Just follow the instructions and you can install the water conversion kit in a jiffy. All you need is some material that you can purchase from a hardware store.
4- Does the kit have a harmful effect on the engine?
Better fuel combustion means better performance and lesser wear and tear. Your engine does not become dirtier or is not negatively affected. A clean engine lasts much longer than a dirty one. Rather, its performance only improves. All this contributes to a lot more savings on your gas bill.
Click here to check the easy step by step tutorial that showed Peter exactly how to assemble a conversion kit for a car that runs on water He doubled his fuel economy and enhanced the performance of his vehicle in a very easy way!
Toyota's third-generation Prius, due at dealerships this spring, will have an optional solar panel on its roof. The panel will power a ventilation system that can cool the car without help from the engine, Toyota says.
But it's a long way from the 2010 Prius to a solar-powered car, experts told CNN. Most agree that there just isn't enough space on a production car to get full power from solar panels.
"Being able to power a car entirely with solar is a pretty far-reaching goal," said Tony Markel, a senior engineer at the federal government's National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, Colorado.
In the new Prius, the solar panel will provide energy for a ventilation fan that will help cool the parked car on sunny, hot days. The question is, how much gasoline can solar power offset? According to recent articles in Japan's Nikkei newspaper, Toyota has bigger plans for harnessing power from the sun. Nikkei reports that Toyota hopes to develop a vehicle powered entirely by solar panels. Motorists don't have to wait for a 2010 Prius to drive a solar-enhanced car, however. Greg Johanson, president of Solar Electric Vehicles in Westlake Village, California, said his company makes a roof-mounted panel for a standard Prius that enables the car to travel up to 15 additional miles a day.
The system delivers about 165 watts of power per hour to an added battery, which helps powers the electric motor, Johanson said.
"Solar panels really need a lot of area," he said.
Leonhardt thinks Toyota's new Prius is a good first step toward using renewable energy. Johanson of Solar Electric Vehicles said he'd like to see Toyota bring the weight of a Prius down from 3,000 pounds to 2,000. He also hopes for a small gasoline engine and a larger electric motor. In the meantime, Solar Electric Vehicles sells its version of a plug-in Prius, with a solar panel installed, for $25,000, Bautista said.
Toyota is the largest automaker to incorporate solar power into a mass-produced car. But its solar panel is not the first for a car company. The Eclectic model costs $30,000, looks like a souped-up golf cart and uses roof-mounted solar panels to help power an electric engine.
Are modern hybrid cars reinventing the wheel? Well not quite, but hybrid car developers may be going full circle. Hybrid cars are currently all the rage and this is for many reasons including economy, climate change, fuel shortages and many more forms of challenge to the motorist. The latest hybrid cars are seen as a modern response to these challenges. The truth however is that the automobile manufacturing industry has been here before. So while contemplating the purchase of a new super modern hybrid, why not pause a little and reflect on the history behind today's so called new designs?
It is not generally realized that designs for hybrid cars actually predate designs for gasoline driven cars. As early as 1665 a certain Ferdinand Verbeist is known to have been working on the concept of a self-moving wagon. This appears to have been a very basic design, based on a simple four-wheeled wagon of the day to which some form of power source was to be added. The motive power was to be steam! It is known that he was still working on his design in the late 1670's but unfortunately no record exists to show whether he actually got it to work.
It was nearly 100 years later when Nicholas Cugnot produced a somewhat more sophisticated steam carriage that actually worked. Capable of speeds up to some six miles per hour, this vehicle proved the concept, but suffered from both not being able to create enough steam to go any faster and also not being able to carry enough fuel to go any great distance. Nonetheless, surely Nicholas can claim to have produced the first working hybrid car.
Over the next 70 years a number of designers tried various ways to overcome the known drawbacks of what came to be known as the horseless carriage and in 1839 Robert Anderson announced the electric powered car. Robert, who designed and built his car in Scotland, seemed to have made the breakthrough everyone was looking for.
Although highly acclaimed at the time, there were as always some snags to be overcome in order to increase performance and to create what today we would call a more user-friendly product. This electric car was a highly applauded innovation of its time. The main drawback with this design was the difficulty in maintaining the charge in the car's automotive batteries. The solution to this development problem proved elusive to many pioneers of the fledgling automobile industry.
By the late 19th century, automobile engineers were experimenting with combined fuel sources less dependent on battery recharging technology. It was in 1898 that Porsche introduced the Lohner Electric Chaise. This was powered by a combination of electric and fuel combustion technology and on battery power alone could cover distances of up to 40 miles. The ultimate aim of realistic distances was getting closer.
Throughout the major part of the 20th century the ideas behind the hybrid car lay somewhat dormant, as availability of cheap gasoline and the advance of conventional technology for powering cars, trucks etc was fully exploited in a great transport revolution. The first decade of the 21st century however brought changes in outlook based on rising cost of oil and gasoline, together with a growing environmental awareness of such things as global warming. Development engineers combined both a gas and a battery powered engine to power what would become today's hybrid car. This was kick started by Honda who introduced the lightweight two-door Honda Insight to the American automobile marketplace. A vigorous and continuing series of developments by other manufacturers have created the range of hybrid models we know today. In the same way that complex development of the gasoline driven car does not stop people understanding the 'simple concept' of conventional cars, the apparently complex ideas underpinning the latest hybrid cars, should not stop the automobile purchaser from seeing the hybrid car as being just as simple to understand. The hybrid car started out as a simple, self powered, four wheeled wagon and it is still that today - About 350 years after it was first conceived!
Wendy Gorman is an accomplished author and niche website developer. She is committed to exploring the question "what is a hybrid car?" and also to explain how to buy a hybrid car. Visit her sites now to better understand the hybrid car marketplace and its future.
Rather than allowing the gas companies to make you suffer, why not take matters into your own hands by turning water into fuel? Imagine doubling your gas mileage and slashing your gas costs in half. This is something that thousands of people are making a reality by building their own water into fuel kit.
This solution is not just for mechanics and car enthusiasts. Anyone that can follow a set of instructions can build their own water fuel system. After visiting your local hardware store to purchase the materials you need, you can have your water for gas kit ready to install. Hooking up your water fuel system from there takes moments, as it simply requires making a few connections to your car battery and the manifold under your hood.
This is nothing complex. If you know how to screw in a light bulb, you are capable of turning water into fuel in order to double your gas mileage. There are no permanent changes to your car, and uninstalling it is a snap.
But if this actually works, why haven't you heard about it in the past?
Actually, this technology has been around since World War II, but most people really haven't been affected by gas prices this bad since the 1973 oil crisis. Now everyone's clamoring to find alternatives to increase fuel efficiency and reduce their gas consumption. Secondly, in the past you would have to spend thousands of dollars to purchase a hydrogen generator to get these results. Modern technology now allows the do-it-yourself person to achieve the same effect with under $100 of supplies.
Now you can literally make a trip to the hardware store, follow your blueprint to build your water fuel system, and have your kit installed in a matter of a couple hours. That means in just a few hours from now your car can be running off the gas that is produced from water.
Not only will you save money by drastically reducing the amount of fuel your car burns, but there are many additional benefits for using a water fuel system. For one, the combustible HHO gas that is produced can boost engine performance while reducing fuel emissions. Your car can run smoother and quieter while nearly eliminating greenhouse gases that your automobile emits. In fact, you may be eligible to receive a $2,500 tax rebate for your conscious effort to use an alternative fuels.
That's just the beginning. Find out all the benefits and how to turn water into fuel. Imaging that just a few hours from now your car can be getting twice the gas mileage. Find out how by visiting http://www.water-engine.factfriend.info
Turbosteamer turns engine heat into steam which is used to boost power and efficiency.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Engineers at BMW have created a new type of hybrid powertrain for cars. Instead of electricity, though, this system relies on steam power to boost the engine's performance and save fuel.
About 35 percent of the energy created when an engine burns gasoline is lost as heat, according to the book "The Isaac Newton School of Driving: Physics and Your Car," by Barry Parker.
BMW's Turbosteamer system relies on a heating unit that replaces the muffler. It heats water to temperatures up to 550 degrees. The resultant steam is then carried to what is essentially a small steam engine.
With much of its heat energy converted to motion in the engine, the cooler steam -- now about 150 to 200 degrees -- goes through a system that combines the steam's heat with heat from the car's regular cooling system.
That second system is used to operate another, lower temperature, motor that further boosts the car's power.
A more refined system may be ready for production in about 10 years, the company said. Taken from CNN dot com
