Some of the famous hybrid cars

Hybrid cars are also called hybrid electric cars that run on two powered sources; the internal combustion engine and an electric motor. It is this combination that permits the electric motor and batteries to help in reducing fuel costs and consumption. In addition to this, these cars lower the levels of exhaust emissions to create a much safer environment.

Of the many hybrid car options you have today, the Toyota Prius is the most popular one in the market. It comes with an electric engine that provides a maximum energy boost of 25 miles per hour, without any help from the alternate engine. It can also be used with the internal combustion engine for added power if required.

The Lexus GS 450h is another option for a hybrid car. This is the latest V6 creation in the Lexus range which comes with a 3.5 liter unit from the new Toyota Avalon/IS 350 performance sedan.

This engine too is mounted transversely to drive the rear wheels and is connected to a CVT gearbox where there is a permanent magnet motor found in between. However not much is known about the running of the electric engine here as it has been kept a closely guarded secret by the company.

The beautiful 9-X BioHybrid car

A hybrid car worth admiring and owning is the 9-X BioHybrid car. This is a car with expressive looks, great performance and high tech communications. All this is found in a fun to drive package that helps satisfy all the needs of the everyday consumer.

You find that this car incorporates the innovative BioPower technology with an in-built solar cell and features like camera-enhanced mirrors, 3-D graphics cockpit and 4-point seatbelt. All this proves that this is a car that has a fusion of sexy designs with great performance.

Its e1.4 liter BioPower turbo engine is optimized for E85 fuel to produce 200hp and 280Nm of torque in addition to reduced emissions when compared to petrol. It is because this car utilizes next generation hybrid technology from GM which includes combination of electric power boost, fuel cut-off, regenerative braking and automatic engine re-start.

In addition to all this, the 9-X BioHybrid also harnesses solar energy through the solar cell found in its glass roof. This free energy provides charge to the battery pack when the vehicle is parked and on the move.

The future compact biohybrid car, Saab 9-X BioHybrid

The 2008 Sexy Green Car Show that was held from 23^rd to 31^st May once again saw the Saab 9-X BioHybrid which is projected as the vision of the future compact car. This car was first seen in the 2008 Geneva Auto Show that was held in March, and is now making its UK debut with the show.

Saab is still leading in the use of biofuels in Europe, with which they help reduce the CO2 that is liberated through road transport in both short and medium terms. With this car, it is now proven that more prominence ahs to be given to opportunities that are created by second generation biofuels.

According to the General Manager of Sales and Marketing Strategy of Saab Green Britain Ltd, David Pugh, they have not given up on their fight of making biofuels a great alternative for fossil fuel, with the confusion going on about its alleged conflicts with food production. They say that one of the main reasons for the increased demand for grain today is not biofuels, but the change in the Asian diet, for a more protein rich diet.

However Saab feels that second generation biofuels should be encouraged by using perhaps waste by-products from agricultural production instead of using the main crop. For example, for the past five years, 50% of the waste straw drawn from UK cereal production has helped in producing a 10% blend for all petrol that is supplied in the UK, with sufficient energy to power 10% more new car sales.

Hybrid cars having hydrogen or fuel cells

One of the best ways of reducing pollution is to use a hybrid car. There are hybrid cars that run on electricity, hydrogen cells and compressed natural gas. In the case of a hydrogen cell car, a fuel cell is used for the generation of electricity.

The fuel in this fuel cell is liquid hydrogen where the electricity is produced by the catalytic reactions in the fuel cell. It is this electricity that is used for the running of electric motors for the propelling of the car.

This is a better alternative as a hybrid car, than the electric cars which have to be plugged for the recharge of its batteries, as these fuel cell cars create their own electricity for running the car.

The reason hydrogen is used as the fuel in the fuel cell is because hydrogen is the most abundant element today. Its energy is produced by fuel cells that are free of harmful byproducts.

However to actually see the implementation of hydrogen cell cars, there are some problems to be overcome like the economical mass production of pure hydrogen, and the necessary infrastructure to make this hydrogen reach uses safely and efficiently.

There are many automakers like Honda and General Motors which now have prototype fuel cell vehicles, which may give a breakthrough with this type of hybrid car in the near future.