Monday, July 26, 2010
As car makers are increasingly thinking of producing hybrid vehicles, it's time to think if these cars are really going to be the cars of the future? However, 'hybrid' seems to be the latest advancement in the auto world. Hybrid cars are known to enhance mileage figures, and hence are believed to be better than the traditional cars. In this article, let's see if the hybrid technology is really worth the praise.
Hybrid cars come with dual engines: gasoline and electric powered engines. The gasoline motor does not directly power the car. Instead, it charges the electric engine which in turn runs the car. The first of its kind was made in a foreign land. In India, Honda was the first car maker to come up with the technology in its Honda Civic Hybrid.
Many other Indian auto majors have followed suit. Toyota, Tata Motors and Hyundai may soon come up with hybrid engines in their cars in India. With the introduction of the new technology, the international car market has witnessed a major change. However, the feedback has been both positive and negative making it difficult to judge if the introduction of many more hybrid automobiles is viable.
Let us first look at the advantages of hybrids:
• Compare the pollution levels caused by hybrids with that of petrol automobiles. You'll know in a jiffy that the emissions gushing out of petrol vehicles are way higher than their hybrid counterparts.
• Hybrids draw lesser tax than the gasoline-powered automobiles.
• Introduction of hybrids will also reduce dependency on oil which is a fast-depleting natural oil resource.
• Though expensive to buy, hybrids don't need fuel re-fills every now and then, thus saving the fuel expenditure.
• The mileage obtained is much better.
• There is no friction in the engine to damage the spare parts, and hence, no wearing out of these parts.
• Maintenance cost is considerably low.
• Regenerative braking in these vehicles serves as a generator and charger to charge the batteries.
• Tyres of hybrid cars are harder and more inflated as compared to conventional cars.
Time to have a look at the disadvantages of hybrid cars:
• These cars being expensive, arranging money for the initial purchase becomes difficult for the average man.
• Hybrid technology is fairly new and hasn't been tested well. Only time can tell what obstacles may occur while driving.
• Hybrids are lighter than conventional cars, hence making them more prone to accidents. In case of a collision with regular gasoline automobiles, hybrids and their occupants suffer greater damage.
• Heavy storms are capable of blowing off hybrids from the ground.
• Hybrids may be eco-friendly on the road, but produce twice the amount of pollution during the manufacturing process.
• The accelerative power is relatively low.
• Winters or cold weather can influence the working of batteries, thus hampering the hybrid's performance.