The History Of Hybrid Vehicles
When you think of the term hybrid vehicles, the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight
, jump right to of the top of our thoughts. The success of the companies and their vehicles are in the forefront as other companies introduce their own versions. It may come as quite a surprise to most of us however, that the concept is not very new at all and in fact spans back over a hundred years. The definition of a hybrid vehicle is generally a vehicle that uses more than one fuel source. In this era the term mainly describes a car that uses a combustion engine in combination with a battery driven motor.In the late 1800s and early 1900s, gasoline powered vehicles were not yet the final answer to motor vehicles. Inventors toyed around with methods of powering vehicles including steam, electricity, fossil fuels, or combinations of them. In fact, in 1900 the world was introduced to the Lohner-Porsche Elektromobil. This vehicle was initially totally electric powered but Ferdinand Porsche added on a combustion engine in order to charge the batteries. Yes it is a big surprise that the first actual hybrid vehicle was produced in 1900.
Timeline of Hybrids in the 20th Century
Soon after the Elektromobil was unveiled, the Woods Motor Company revealed the Woods Dual Power in 1917. This was an electric vehicle also and it sported a 4-cylinder fuel injection engine. The top speed was around 35 m.p.h. and it ended up not being successful. Working in the 1960s and 1970s, Victor Wouk created a hybrid vehicle based on the Buick Skylark. Wouk could not get the financial backing he needed from the government and once he was out of his own money, the project collapsed. In 1968, General Motors developed the GM 512. This vehicle ran on electricity at low speeds and used the engine at high speeds. The 1990s to present day saw Audi, Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Chevy produce several versions that provide fuel efficiency.
Not Your Basic Flashlight Batteries
The main setback for manufacturers has always been the size and weight of the batteries used in hybrids. The batteries, which are made by companies like Panasonic and Sanyo, take up a lot of space. Because of the very way the cars are meant to run, these batteries must be powerful. They are typically nickel metal hydride but some of the newer models are using the advanced lithium-ion type of battery. Technology will eventually advance to the point of smaller, lighter, and more powerful batteries. We can always count on technology.
Some Common Misconceptions
Hybrid vehicles come down an assembly line just as traditional vehicles do and use the same diagnostic codes. There are some that say that the extra cost involved in producing hybrids outweighs the savings involved in driving one. Many experts however have shot that argument down. Toyota states that once a Prius has clocked 13,000 road miles, the CO2 savings have covered the manufacturing process. These hybrid vehicles are worth the investment in the long run in order to protect our planet and its resources. Consider buying one today to help do your part to help save Mother Nature.
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