Hybrid cars offer more than better mileage
Brianna Kiser
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: News
Although driving a hybrid car has its environmental benefits, John Ishiyama said he zooms around in his Toyota Prius for the sheer wonder of the technology it offers.
"It has good gas mileage, but the technology is absolutely amazing," the professor of political science said. "The synchronization between the electric motor and the gasoline engine is all monitored by computers, and the only way you can tell you're shifting power sources is by the screen in the car."
Whether it's the technology, environmental concerns or having a full wallet driving away from the gas pump, there is something about hybrid cars that keeps their popularity on the rise.
Power Information Network Data reported there is a correlation between hybrid sales and gasoline prices. When gas prices go up, hybrid sales increase, and when gas prices go back down, their sales decrease. With gas prices on a steady rise since April 2007, RNCOS E-services Pvt. Ltd. issued a report in 2007 stating that hybrid cars constitute just 1.9 percent of total vehicle sales, but they expect a net sale of 1.68 million by the year 2012.
Ishiyama purchased his silver Prius in 2006 and said he is convinced that he will never own another type of car.
"I know there are other hybrid models like the Honda Civic, and Ford has their Explorer, but they aren't new models," he said. "They're the old models with a hybrid power plant put into them. The Prius is a new model specifically designed around the hybrid engine, so it's a very cool-looking car."
Getting 50 miles per gallon is no problem for Ishiyama, and he said he could possibly get 100 miles to a gallon if he didn't have to be anywhere in a hurry.
"The maximum miles per gallon is 100, but that's only if you're running on all electric," Ishiyama said. "If I'm driving under 35 mph, I can run the car entirely on electric, but in normal situations I can get about 49 miles per gallon."
The small gas tank in the Prius was another attractive feature for Ishiyama, he said.
"It has good gas mileage, but the technology is absolutely amazing," the professor of political science said. "The synchronization between the electric motor and the gasoline engine is all monitored by computers, and the only way you can tell you're shifting power sources is by the screen in the car."
Whether it's the technology, environmental concerns or having a full wallet driving away from the gas pump, there is something about hybrid cars that keeps their popularity on the rise.
Power Information Network Data reported there is a correlation between hybrid sales and gasoline prices. When gas prices go up, hybrid sales increase, and when gas prices go back down, their sales decrease. With gas prices on a steady rise since April 2007, RNCOS E-services Pvt. Ltd. issued a report in 2007 stating that hybrid cars constitute just 1.9 percent of total vehicle sales, but they expect a net sale of 1.68 million by the year 2012.
Ishiyama purchased his silver Prius in 2006 and said he is convinced that he will never own another type of car.
"I know there are other hybrid models like the Honda Civic, and Ford has their Explorer, but they aren't new models," he said. "They're the old models with a hybrid power plant put into them. The Prius is a new model specifically designed around the hybrid engine, so it's a very cool-looking car."
Getting 50 miles per gallon is no problem for Ishiyama, and he said he could possibly get 100 miles to a gallon if he didn't have to be anywhere in a hurry.
"The maximum miles per gallon is 100, but that's only if you're running on all electric," Ishiyama said. "If I'm driving under 35 mph, I can run the car entirely on electric, but in normal situations I can get about 49 miles per gallon."
The small gas tank in the Prius was another attractive feature for Ishiyama, he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Dr. Scientist
posted 7/01/08 @ 10:02 PM CST
Diesel is, surprisingly, more efficient than the hybrids. More power with less effort, with the same fuel consumption. Brilliant!
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