Why Hybrid Cars?

Due to the rising cost of fuel and the environmental damage caused by normal gasoline vehicles to our planet, now many car owners or buyers are looking for an alternative way to save money and enviornment. Since, fuel supply is finite and the prices of gasoline is rising higher and higher, that is where a hybrid car has its advantages. Hybrid cars have gained a popularity in recent years. With lower cost of production and new hybrid car technology being developed, owning a hybrid car is becoming affordable to everyone. The two best things about hybrid cars are:-

Energy Efficient
The concept behind the Hybrid Electric Car is, that it takes the benefits of an electric car and a traditional combustion engine and blends them together. The electric power is generated by the light weight, rechargeable batteries made from Nickel-Metal-Hydride. These batteries have the ability of storing electrical power.
The combustion engine used in a Hybrid Electric Car is similar to a normal smaller engine. However, in contributing to the energy efficiency, the motor is smaller and lighter in weight. Efficiency is maximized because the motor is built based on the average power needed by the Hybrid Electric Car. Whereas, in a conventional combustion motor, the size of the motor built depends upon the specifications required for the highest level of power demanded.
These vehicles has a miles per gallon range between 40 to 60 miles per gallon. Which is much more economical than normal cars.

Environment Friendly
Because Hybrid Electric Car being more energy efficient, one of its important benefit is the decrease of pollutants released in the air. This reduction in air pollution is due to less fuel being expended per mile travel. On an average, Hybrid Electric Car reduces carbon monoxide and other pollutants by as much as 75 to 85 percent.
Also in hybrid cars the gasoline engine is shut off automatically when the car stops. This also helps in saving fuel. That is also the reason why hybrid cars are so quiet while it is stationary. The gasoline engine is automatically turned on when you step on the accelerator pedal.

Kurrent Electric Car

Kurrent the cute, small and slow electric car comes under the category of neighborhood vehicle (NV), which means it has four wheels and weighs less than 2500 lbs. It runs on the same standard electricity we use to operate our household appliances. This car has been designed in Europe and is manufactured in America by American Electric Vehicle. It's design is considered to be inspired from Golf cart. Kurrent is a two seater car and its cost of operation is very low around 2cents a mile. Kurrent, when fully charged, will travel 35-40 miles at a constant speed of 25 miles per hour and costs around 10,000 US dollars. This car is mainly designed for small distance travel only as its range is only 40miles.

Now talking about the specification of this car, its Length is 92 inches, width 50 inches and weighs 1080 lbs with batteries. It has a 4.1 KW electric motor plus 4 lead Deepcycle batteries of 48volt. The front breaks are disc brakes while the rear ones are drum brakes. To recharge the car just plug into standard household 110-volt outlet and the car will be fully charged in 8Hrs. Also, It meets all FMVSS 500 federal standards. Kurrent brakes require almost no maintenance since the electric motor provides 90% of the braking force. Maintenance cost of this electric vehicle is very low, and company provides a 1 year of limited warranty.

Reva - The First Hybrid Vehicle on Indian roads

Reva, the first electric car launched in India by REVA Electric Car Company Private Ltd. Bangalore in the year 2001. And, now it is considered to be the most selling electric vehicle accross the world. The car has already been launched in most of the European markets and also in Japan and China. Reva isn’t available yet in the United States.

Reva is two-door roadster which seats two adults and two children. with a maximum range of about 150 kilometres per charge and a speed of 80 kilometres per hour. The car is powered by a high performance 37 kW AC induction motor that drives the front wheels, and uses Sodium Nickel Chloride batteries. REVA 4-wheel independent suspension with integrated regenerative and has hydraulic braking system which provides better handling and braking. The operating cost is around 40paise/KM which is much more economical than any other petrol/diesel cars.