Hyundai Blue Drive Hybrid Cars

The Los Angeles auto show was the site of an exciting announcement by Hyundai as it introduced its ‘Hybrid Blue Drive’ power train. While many new car buyers have considered the gas savings of a hybrid powered car, many have also had concerns about the batteries and their large size and weight.  Hyundai’s new Blue Drive technology may be about to change all that. It seems like a giant leap forward and this new hybrid car format should find its way into future models in the coming years.

The Hyundai Blue Drive is based on a system that includes proprietary fuel-cell technology and a lithium polymer battery.  A 2.4-liter gas engine is coupled with a 30kW electric motor. Hyundai says that this new hybrid powered system stores its electrical charge in a lithium polymer rechargeable battery that is much thinner and flatter than batteries that are currently in use. Continue Reading »

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Powered SUV

When it comes to buying hybrid cars, the process can be a little bit more complicated than you might think. The complication though, is not on the “buying hybrid car” part, but how to wade through the myriad of hybrid cars to choose from. But just like in any other process of decision making, there are some basics that can help.  It is fundamental though, that on this note, we have a basic understanding regarding the nature of hybrid cars, or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). HEV has two energy sources for its engines: electric and combustion. In ordinary driving situations, like careening down the highway, this type of car generally runs on the electric motor, until the driver needs more power such as faster acceleration.

When this happens, the two engines will operate in unison. hybrid powered cars are low emission, fuel efficient vehicles, some of the characteristics worth considering when considering buying a hybrid car.  In addition, hybrid cars recharge their batteries while being drive. This removes the necessity of plugging the car in for electricity. This is unlike pure electric cars, which needed to be plugged into wall sockets, like an ordinary appliance unit.

There are also other considerations before the actual buying is considered. Continue Reading »

Early Hybrid Car by Ferdinand Porsche

The historical road traveled by hybrid powered cars is much longer than many of today’s buyers imagine. There are also other myths and beliefs about these types of vehicles.

One is the idea that hybrid cars are a new phenomenon. This is, in fact, a myth.  In the early 1900’s, American car manufacturers were producing all sorts of different vehicles, with different energy sources, including electric, steam, and gasoline cars in equal numbers. In those early days, buying a hybrid powered vehicle was as normal as buying an ordinary car. Continue Reading »