THE BEST HYBRID CARS
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The best hybrid cars can end the oil monopoly today. For the last sixty years crude oil has held an almost total monopoly as the sole energy resource for our engines of transportation. Alternative fuels can help break the oil monopoly and bring exorbitant energy prices back to realistic levels. But we need systems that make alternative fuels practical now, not 10 or 15 years from now. The best hybrid cars do just that; and they're available now. Car engines can burn a variety of fuels. When consumers start using those alternative fuels, oil prices will drop. When consumers use a lot of those alternative fuels, oil prices will drop - a lot. Since most driving is done within 20 miles of home, any hybrid fuel system with about a 40-mile range will have a huge impact on oil prices. _________________________________________________________________
HYBRIDS EVERYWHERE The car you drive today can become one of the best hybrid cars on the road today. Hybrid fuel cars are on the road now. New conversion systems let your car burn gasoline or diesel like it has always done; and they give you the option to switch to natural gas, propane, biofuels, and more. These links have great discussions about your options:
DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center
PLUGGABLE HYBRID CONVERSIONS Gas/electric hybrid owners can have their hybrid drives converted to plug-in hybrids that can meet most city driving needs without burning one drop of gasoline. Plug-in conversion kit manufacturers can direct you to local hybrid mechanics to do the conversion.
Search terms like ‘plug-in hybrid conversions’ or 'plug-in hybrid conversion companies' will generate a list of plug-in hybrid conversion kit manufacturers. _________________________________________________________________
GASOLINE/WOOD HYBRID The best hybrid cars a hundred years ago were wood burners. A little known, but far from new, energy technology is a system that converts wood into a gas that can be burned in your car. The wood gasifier was invented in 1839 and actually fueled an automobile in 1901 as detailed in this Wikipedia Wood Gas article. _________________________________________________________________
GASOLINE/HYDROGEN HYBRID The best hybrid cars of tomorrow may run on water. The dream of a hydrogen economy continues to face a mountain of problems. But the appeal of a fuel that does not pollute and can be harvested from water continues to stir entrepreneurs to action. This MSNBC Hydrogen Cars article shows where to take your car to have it converted into a gasoline/hydrogen hybrid, if you can afford it. Even if you can afford the price tag to convert your car into a hydrogen burner, finding the stuff is a huge problem - - - but not for long. Coming soon is the ability to refuel your car (yep, the one you drive now) at home. The British energy firm ITM is working on a system that will harvest hydrogen from tap water in your home. The system is about the size and power consumption of a family refrigerator. It will harvest, compress, and store hydrogen. All you have to do is use the attached filler hose to charge the hydrogen storage tank that’s installed in your car when you convert to hybrid fuel capability. _________________________________________________________________
NOTE: Before installing an aftermarket component on your car be sure that it meets Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Products that have EPA certification will be clearly labeled as such. By Federal Law, car owners who use uncertified engine components can be subject to stiff penalties. _________________________________________________________________
NEW CAR OPTIONS JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER_________________________________________________________________MASS PRODUCED PLUGGABLE HYBRIDS The best hybrid cars are the ones you can buy fully equipped and fully guaranteed. General Motors is spending massive amounts to make GM Technology the world leader in environmentally friendly energy technologies. Their projects include Flex Fuel engines, biodiesel, hybrid drives, and much more. General Motors is in a head to head battle with Toyota to bring the first mass produced pluggable hybrids to market in 2010 as detailed in these articles:
MSNBC GM New Hybrid Cars
_________________________________________________________________ ULTIMATE GAS MILEAGE How good can gas mileage get? This Popular Mechanics Aptera report gives details of a new hybrid that claims an incredible 300mpg. _________________________________________________________________
GASOLINE/ELECTRIC/AIR HYBRID A company in France has developed a car that runs on compressed air. The French made ZPM (Zero Pollution Motors) will hit the U.S. Market within 2 years. The engine is powered with compressed air that is kept charged by an onboard compressor. Power for the compressor is provided by either an electric motor that plugs into a home electrical outlet or, for extended driving, an onboard gasoline engine. _________________________________________________________________
ALL-ELECTRIC CARS NOW Last but certainly not least, the all-electric car is back with a vengeance. No hybrid drives here. These beauties are designed to travel over 200 miles between recharges and offer the highest efficiencies of any power train in existence. Two new companies are leading the all-electric, well, charge: Phoenix Motor Cars manufacturers practical family autos and a small pick-up. Tesla Motors is introducing a lean, mean racing machine that delivers over 100mpg equivalent. _________________________________________________________________
SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) The products discussed on this page, and many more can be seen at a SEMA show or on their web site. SEMA is THE place to be for all things automotive. The SEMA site is tricky to navigate if you are looking for a particular product. The SEMA Advertiser Links page lists many of the companies you’ll see at a SEMA expo. While only a few of these companies are energy related, they represent the cutting edge of new automotive products hitting the market. _________________________________________________________________
When you're ready to shop for a new car, our Alternative Engine Technologies page can help you find prices for hybrid vehicles and tax credit information. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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