| Hybrid technology, while wrapped in modern | | | | travel 40 miles on an electric charge, without using |
| trimmings, is really nothing new. Hybrids have been | | | | any gasoline. Of course, they will have to be plugged |
| around in one form or another since the early 1900's. | | | | into the wall in the garage at night to charge, but |
| Even the "new" series hybrids, such as the Chevy | | | | they embody a considerable advantage over current |
| Volt are only moderate innovations on technology | | | | all-electric vehicles, which have a very limited range |
| that has been around for almost 100 years. However, | | | | and the propensity to leave you stranded. |
| the future of the automobile lies squarely in the past. | | | | However, don't expect the auto industry to change |
| Hybrids are the way of the future for automakers. | | | | overnight. The new additions of American muscle |
| The impending climate crisis, the expected end of | | | | cars are a testament to the world's love of |
| traditional oil deposits and the increased pollution | | | | gasoline-fueled power, and, as such, will not go |
| levels of alternative oil drilling all combine to form a | | | | quietly. In fact, expect to see the internal combustion |
| bleak picture of the future. They hybrid car is | | | | engine stick around for decades to come, though |
| designed to circumvent, or at least to reduce, the | | | | engine size will likely get smaller and smaller, at least |
| impact of that future. Why are hybrids the way of | | | | for in-city specific vehicles (witness the Smart 4 2). |
| the future? Will the internal combustion engine really | | | | All these changes beg the question: how much will |
| die off? A plethora of questions surrounds the topic. | | | | we pay for this technology? |
| While the internal combustion engine (ICE) will likely | | | | Currently, hybrid technology is more expensive than |
| not disappear entirely for a very long time, expect | | | | traditional options. However, as the technology |
| changes in the way it is used. The Chevy Volt (as | | | | becomes more widespread and new materials are |
| well as offerings from Opel, Mazda and many others) | | | | found, the price will come down. That means that |
| embodies the new form of hybrid technology. Unlike | | | | you will still be able to finance your new hybrid car |
| parallels systems that use an electric motor in | | | | and not have to take out a second mortgage to do |
| conjunction with a gasoline engine to power the car, | | | | so. While hybrids are somewhat pricey today, |
| a series hybrid uses only an electric motor to power | | | | tomorrow they will likely be the same price as other |
| the wheels. The ICE is used to charge the car' | | | | options. Financing will still require a substantial down |
| batteries and nothing more. | | | | payment (unless you're lucky enough to have perfect |
| While this is not as efficient or emissions reductive as | | | | credit), but should pose no hindrance to |
| fully electric vehicles, it does reduce emissions and | | | | environmentally conscious drivers and their desire to |
| fuel consumption by a significant amount. For | | | | help the planet. |
| instance, the Volt and the Opel Astra will be able to | | | | |