What Are Hybrid Cars

What Are Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars are cars that use two different sources of power, not cars that use hybrid fuels such as Gasoline Alcohol mixtures. The most popular hybrid cars, and the ones that are produced by most car manufacturers, are gas electric hybrid cars. A Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) uses two sources of power, a conventional gas internal combustion engine and an electric motor to power the car. Hybrids are generally classed as either full hybrids or mild hybrids.
Full hybrid systems allow both the gasoline engine and electric motor to provide power to the wheels. This means that the electric motor can take over from the gasoline when the car is stopped at lights or in traffic gridlock, and with the newer models can even drive the car at lower speeds. The hybrid systems available from Toyota, Lexus and Ford employ this technology.
Mild hybrids use the electric motor to enhance the conventional gas motor to give better performance and to cut down on gas consumption. Some of the modern mild hybrids will also allow the electric motor to take over from the gas motor while the vehicle is stopped. Many of the hybrids from General Motors use this technology for their hybrids.

Read more at Suite101: Hybrid Cars and Global Warming: Automobiles that Give Better Fuel Economy and Lower Greenhouse Gases http://green-fuels-vehicles.suite101.com/article.cfm/hybrid_cars_and_global_warming#ixzz0wciatmuo

Facts About Global Warming and Vehicles

The Drive to Reduce Emissions From Fuel

 

Greenhouse emissions, is a topic being discussed widely today, and especially here in California. The need for a solution is more than and emergency. We are in dire need to clean our air, here and worldwide.
Research shows that moving vehicles have the highest impact on greenhouse emissions. The 450 million vehicles on the road today account for half of the world's total consumption, generate nearly one fifth of greenhouse gas emissions, and have pervasive effects on land use and air quality. Personal transportation (i.e., home use) is responsible for 30 to 50% of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, 33% of toxic water pollution, and over 45% of toxic air emissions.
In addition, fueling passenger cars accounts for more than one quarter of world oil consumption. Light trucks and sports utility vehicles (SUV) are all the rage today, but have severe implications for the environment. The average new light truck or SUV gets lower gas mileage and does not have the same emissions standards as a new passenger car, meaning it will emit more pollutants than a new car.
Some Facts:

• California's rising dependence on fossil fuels is a major factor in increasing greenhouse emission, further exacerbating global climate change.
• Recent studies in California have indicated that global warming may increase incidents of heat waves, droughts, floods, and fires in the state.
• Global climate change may also have potential devastating economic effects upon agriculture, fishing, timber, real estate, insurance, construction, and tourism industries.
• In addition fresh water supplies and local air quality will be impacted due to higher temperatures.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/community-news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-66031001#ixzz0wcT2M4Bx