Hybrid Cars

I found some interesting information about Hybrid cars so I just quoted the article from the website:


Hybrid Car Emissions Information

Today's production hybrid cars are marketed by a singular benefit; increased fuel economy. Even though it is true that hybrid cars can save drivers a bundle on gasoline and even earn them a tax rebate (see hybrid car tax rebate) the much more important benefit is the very significant reduction in emissions. Generally, hybrid cars produce 80% less harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases than comparable gasoline cars. This translates to less airborne pollutants, and a cleaner earth.

The chart at left shows the emissions of greenhouse gases in tons from the most fuel efficient mid sized cars of 2004. Greenhouse gases are the gases which are thought to contribute to the greenhouse effect - the warming of the Earth's climate due to the major buildup of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and other gases in the atmosphere. These gases are released by the combustion of fossil fuel, primarily by cars and other methods of transportation.

The calculations for emissions in tons per year are based on 45% highway driving, 55% city driving, and 15,000 miles per year. For more information on the tests that produced these numbers, visit the GREET homepage.

Hybrid Car Emissions
(comparison of production hybrids)
Honda Civic
Honda Insight
Toyota Prius

City MPG 48 57 60
Highway MPG 47 56 51
Emissions 4.1 tons 3.5 tons 3.5 tons
Rating ULEV SULEV II SULEV II
Engine Size 1.3 1 1.5


Hybrid Cars and Pollution

It may seem excessive to spend so much time and money developing more economical cars as an alternative to gasoline automobiles, especially since the general population seems to be perfectly happy with current automotive technology, but hybrid cars offer another great advantage; far lower emissions.

When emissions or tailpipe emissions are mentioned in a discussion about cars, the terms refer to the gases released by the burning of gasoline that pollute the atmosphere. These gases are Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, and Hydrocarbons. These gases, commonly referred to as greenhouse gases, are of particular concern, because of their effect on the earth's climate by trapping heat in the atmosphere that would normally be deflected back to space. The National Research Council performed a study in May 2001 on the effects of greenhouse gas.

http://www.hybrid-car.org/hybrid-car-emissions.html


By: Dhiya Al Suliman