Hybrid vehicles combine a battery-powered electric motor with a traditional gasoline engine. The purpose of this "hybrid" engine is to help conserve gasoline. This combination works particularly well in cities, since most hybrids get the best fuel economy in stop and go traffic.

Function

Hybrids are primarily useful for their superior fuel economy. While many hybrids have average fuel economy at highway speeds, most are capable of extreme fuel efficiency in stop and go traffic.

Types

Hybrids like the Toyota Prius run off of battery power until they get up to speed, when the gasoline motor starts (this speed can be as high as 42 mph, but may be much lower depending on the temperature and acceleration speed). The Honda Civic Hybrid uses a combination of electric and gasoline power, leaning more on the gasoline engine if the driver accelerates quickly. Chevrolet's Volt runs on battery power for the first 40 miles, then charges the battery with a four-cylinder engine.

History

Although the first mass-market hybrid (Honda's Insight) was introduced in 1999, hybrid vehicles have been manufactured since the late 19th century. The underlying concept has not changed substantially since then, but better battery and computer technologies have improved performance, speed and range.

Benefits

Hybrids in general use less gas than their traditional counterparts, so drivers may see their gas spending and carbon emissions fall.

Miles Per Gallon

Many hybrid trucks and sport utility vehicles, for example, get better gas mileage than their older versions (21 mpg in the city for the 2010 GMC Sierra Hybrid, for example). However, they remain substantially less efficient than other hybrids, many of which get more than 40 miles per gallon.

Source:

HybridCars.com: History of Hybrid Cars

FuelEconomy.gov: Hybrid Fuel Efficiency Ratings

More Information:

FuelEconomy.gov: Tips for Improving Fuel Economy

CNNMoney.com: Chevolet Volt Test Drive