Exciting Features Of Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars are basically half battery-electric and half conventional cars. The hybrid vehicles use temporary energy storage devices, usually a battery, which enables the main engine to operate to its maximum efficiency.

The hybrid vehicles use dual source of energy to operate, which makes them highly environment friendly. They emit substantially less pollutants into the air in comparison to gasoline-operated cars. The amount of pollutants and harmful emissions is half when compared to conventional automobiles. The cost of purchasing a hybrid car is higher than that of buying normal models. But, when you consider the overall expense of buying a car, a hybrid car will prove to be more economical.

The biggest and best car companies of the world are coming up with exciting new models of hybrid cars. The concept of green marketing is at a rise in all the fields of life. The car industry is also coming up with new earth-saving ideas, wrapped in funky package to make consumers more excited at the prospect of using a green car.

BMW has come up with an exciting new concept car, Vision Efficient Dynamics. It is basically a 2+2 seater, with full hybrid technology. BMW is aiming to prove that Vision Efficient Dynamics can do zero to 100kph in 4.8 seconds. This car has been given the signature M vehicle of BMW. The fuel efficiency is also said to exceed the smallest cars today, i.e. just 3.76 litres per 100 kilometres. The most important green factor of this BMW car is that it has a minimum carbon dioxide emission rating of just 99 grams per kilometre.

Honda has also not been left behind in its production of green cars. It offers the Civic sedan, highly rated hybrid car. Hybrid technology of Honda manages to push the fuel economy ratings to 40 mpg city and 45 mpg highway with its 110-horsepower gas-electric power plant. However, its acceleration is compromised a little in exchange of fuel efficiency.

The best thing about hybrid version of the Toyota Camry is that it rides and feels more like a standard midsized sedan and less like a low-powered compromise. In fact, it has been reviewed as faster than the non-hybrid four-cylinder Camry. It has a far better fuel economy than non-hybrid Camry. The Toyota Camry Hybrid gets about 34 mpg in mixed driving versus about 25 mpg for the standard Camry. The only drawback can be high sticker price as compared to non-hybrid family cars, as well as reduced trunk space.

Mercedes-Benz also unveiled its latest hybrid project at the New York Auto Show in April 2009, namely the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid. Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid is the first vehicle in the world to offer gasoline, diesel and hybrid alternatives. The ML450 Hybrid promises to provide a 21 mpg in the city and 24 mpg highway, which is relatively less than its other hybrid counterparts.

The skyrocket prices of gasoline has aided in popularity of Hybrid cars. They are regarded as extremely fuel efficient as they combine two sources of energy. The Owners of hybrid vehicles do not need to be worried about the ever-increasing gasoline prices. Hybrid vehicles are also called green cars as they offer lesser fuel consumption and greater environmental friendliness.