Hybrid vehicle technology has been existent since 1899 by Ferdinand Porsche, but it was not until the 1990s that hybrid vehicles have been manufactured for personal use.  In comparison to cars run solely by gasoline, hybrid cars run on both gasoline and electric battery. With the difference in the source of power between the two, various responses have been elicited on the hybrid vehicle in contrast with internal combustion engine cars.

• Environmental Benefits

Harmful emissions by hybrid vehicles have been reported to be reduced 25% to 35% than ordinary cars run by fuel. They help lessen smog and lessen the hazards brought about by a normal car in terms of air pollution. Hybrid cars are also known for reducing noise pollution, since they run on low speeds and produce lesser noise.

• Gas Mileage and Driving Performance

Since hybrid cars, mostly utilize the power from electric batteries rather than gasoline and with their aerodynamic design, they obtain better gas mileage. Hybrid vehicles are very efficient for use in the city. However, when used in freeways, they don’t compare with gasoline-powered cars since their optimum speed is not as fast as the regular vehicles.

• Fuel Costs and Battery Concerns

With hybrid cars, E85 oil is used to fill up the tank which is cheaper and if the oil is not available, one can opt to load up on the regular gas. On the other hand, battery cost and benefits have been an impending issue. Hybrid vehicles operate on metal hydrides and lithium batteries, which are known to be less toxic to the environment than lead-based batteries. Despite these environmental benefits, it has been studied that metal hydrides and lithium batteries have carcinogenic components, which can be hazardous to one’s health.

• Product Price

There is a glaring discrepancy when it comes to the price of a normal car and a hybrid one. Hybrid cars are more costly than regular cars. This has been countered though that the environmental advantages reaped from hybrid vehicles are more rewarding.

• Warranty and Repair

When in comparison to a normal vehicle, hybrid cars have longer warranties. However, though the cost of repair once a hybrid vehicle breaks down is notably higher. Hybrid vehicles can’t be repaired on a regular auto repair shop due to the complexities of its engine. This has to be brought back to the dealer’s lot which can be costly.

• Accidents and Production Materials Concern

Due to the high voltage present in electric batteries, the safety of hybrid cars in accidents has been one of the primary concerns. Another concern with hybrid cars is that since the components are more complicated than ordinary cars, they take longer manufacturing time which warrants more harm to the environment. This, however, have been counteracted, by pointing out that the environmental benefits out stand the longer manufacturing time. An additional issue brought about by hybrid vehicles is the presence of raw materials for its components. It has been argued that there can be a shortage of its raw materials due to its rarity. This has raised the apprehension that hybrid vehicles might not be manufactured for a very long time.

• Perks in Taxation

In certain countries, they offer tax credits for using a hybrid vehicle, and you can enjoy of advantages such as free parking spaces. This is in line to help various countries’ advocacy to reduce global warming.

There are a lot of benefits and disadvantages that one can obtain from using a hybrid vehicle. From one’s perspective, the pros might outweigh the cons or the other way around. This would all boil down on one’s priorities and needs. If your inclination is to help the environment and the future generation, then drive a hybrid vehicle, but if it’s not, then park the thought.

With these in mind, automobile companies have made a noble step to produce more environment-friendly cars. These cars are sometimes called the green cars or the eco-friendly cars. This is a very commendable effort for an automotive world to lessen the impact of fuel emissions in the environment. With these green cars, we can reduce harmful fuel emissions and consume fewer non-renewable resources such as diesel and petrol.

Eco-cars or green cars are cars that run on electricity from the solar, water, and wind resources. These cars use lesser petrol and emit lower or no emissions at all. It has also been said that the emission from it are cleaner.

There are lots of eco-cars being produced nowadays. Although they are not mass-produced in the market yet, its popularity to the community is becoming more evident. A survey conducted by QuickTake on 500 motorists shows that 68% of the respondents would like to buy an eco-car in the next two or three years henceforth.

Here are few of the developed eco-cars in the market today:

1. Hybrid Cars
   • Engines are smaller and efficient.
   • They use regenerative braking.
   • They have aerodynamics design.
   • They are made from lightweight materials.

They are eco-cars that use both electricity and internal combustion engine to run a car. The electric motor is usually used for towns and sub-urban driving while the internal combustion engine is for city driving. There is a switch where the owner can change from electric to a combustion engine. Basically, hybrid cars are just cars being run by two sources of power. Here are some of its advantages:

2. Electric Cars

Although this has been around in 1800, production of this car was not supported because of the expensive way of producing and storing the electricity by that time. Today, because of the availability of batteries and other cheap resources, the production of electric vehicles (EV) is becoming popular – although only select people use it. Some popular EV is the UEV Spyder, Zap car, and the Tesla Roadster. However, EV’s are yet to be available to the public because it is still expensive to buy one and maintain.

3. Bio-fuel Cars
   • Cheap fuel resources
   • Lesser emission
   • Fuel-efficient

They are eco-cars running on agro-fuel. Most popular of this is the bio-alcohol or the ethanol which is collected from sugar cane, wheat, and corn. Ethanol is then added to gasoline for about 15% concentration. Some advantages are:

4. Diesel Green Cars

These are eco-cars running on bio-diesel fuels. Bio-diesels are fuels made from vegetable matter. These are now being marketed and produced mostly in Europe.

Going green living can be adapted by using eco-friendly cars. However, if one does not own a green car yet, he can still go green living by following some steps and tips on how to be an environment-friendly driver or how to make his car more environment-friendly. Here are some tips:

• Avoid jack-rabbit starts.
• Follow the speed limit.
• Use vents and opening windows before starting the air-conditioner.
• Keep your tires inflated to the actual pressure on the manual.
• Use low-rolling resistance (LRR) tires.
• Have a weekly fuel consumption check up – in that way you can monitor usage.
• Have a monthly tune-up.
• Change oil regularly.
• Have a periodic check of the emission control system.

Environmental-friendly cars are the future of the automotive world and will eventually become more popular to the driving community as time goes by. The impact and significance of an eco-car will create a remarkable difference on how people will view the future of mother Earth.

So the next time you will buy your dream car, choose to buy green cars. This will be your part in saving the planet and the environment itself. Be responsible enough to the difference and reduce the impact of fuel emission to the environment. Going green is the answer to the future of the driving world.