About
Hybrid vehicles combine the internal combustion engine and fuel tank of a conventional vehicle with an electric motor powered by a battery. The combination gives motorists the driving range and convenient refuelling capabilities of a conventional vehicle, with more environmental benefits.
Hybrids achieve improvements in fuel efficiency by using the electric motor to supplement engine power. Many hybrids can even operate at low speeds using only the electric motor. Their batteries never need to be plugged in and are recharged by a combination of the engine and by recapturing energy normally lost when braking. Fuel consumption and emissions can be reduced by up to 50 per cent compared to a similar gasoline vehicle.
Many hybrids are most effective in city driving conditions because this is when the battery power is called on to do some or all of the work. For instance, when a hybrid vehicle is stopped or waiting at an intersection, the gasoline engine is usually turned off to eliminate wasting fuel from idling. So if most of your driving is around the city, your fuel consumption and costs with a hybrid could be a fraction of what you are now paying.
Many auto manufacturers in North America now offer hybrid models. Furthermore, as the market expands, the cost differential between hybrids and conventional vehicles is declining.