Prius battery repair, how I can repair a prius battery for $400 by myself. Are you having prius battery problems, and have you been told that it is going to cost you through the roof?

What you need to know that will save you a huge amount of money with your prius battery repair!

First of all, one thing you need to know is that the dealership has discovered that they can make a HUGE amount of money by selling you a new, or rebuilt prius battery and so they are trying to cover up how easy it actually is to repair these things.

Who am I and what can I teach you that will save you around $5,000 when you have to go through replacing your prius battery, or repairing it.

I am just an average Joe, I have owned about ten prius’ over the past few years, and every single one of these prius’ have had a bad battery. That is actually how I have come to buy them. See, when someones prius battery goes bad, there prius stops running. So they take it into the local shop, and most small time local shops won’t touch a prius battery. So they are forced to bring there car to the nearest dealership.

This is where they get you to think that your prius battery repair is going to cost you big!

If your battery goes bad, it is going to cost you anywhere from 5 to 8 thousand dollars to get a new battery and have them replace yours for you. A lot of people just sell there car as is, and go buy a new one because they think that they are out of luck, and would just assume get a new car for that price.

So, I have been purchasing these “broke down” priuses for a few grand a piece and with in a few days they are off to the races!  Here is the kicker! The most I have spent on fixing one of my Prius’ now is $450! Want to know how to do this yourself?

You can find out how to repair a prius battery yourself here:  http://www.squidoo.com/Fix_Prius_Battery

You can find out how to repair a prius battery yourself here: http://www.squidoo.com/Fix_Prius_Battery

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/prius-battery-repair-how-i-can-rebuild-a-prius-battery-for-400-myself-1535063.html

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Having a list of the top 10 best hybrid cars is a great resource for anyone who is giving serious thought to purchasing one of these. The competition is heating up among all of the automakers and it is no longer just the Japanese giants that are creating a buzz in the world of cars. Today many of the American factories are producing some great hybrid vehicles of their own.

(1) 2009 Toyota Prius MSRP $22,000.00 Estimated Mileage 48/45

The 2009 Toyota Prius is one of those great hybrids – economical, roomy, and dependable. It comes with seat mounted front side air bags, electronic brake assistance, and AM/FM radio with 6 total speakers, and CD player. There are some available options like an MP3 player, rear electronic parking aid with camera, and vehicle stability control. The 4 door Prius comes in a multitude of colors including Barcelona Red Metallic, Black, Classic Silver Metallic, Driftwood Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Seaside Pearl, Silver Pine Metallic, Spectra Blue, and Super White.

(2) 2009 Saturn Vue Greenline MSRP 25,645.00 Estimated Mileage 25/32

The 2009 Saturn Vue Greenline comes with mounted front side air bags, all speed traction control, and Onstar Telematics System. The options for this hybrid model include a changer with MP3 player, leather shift knob, and engine block heater. This four-door car is available in Black Onyx, Deep Blue, Golden Cashmere, Mystic Blue, Polar White, Ruby Red, Sea Mist Green, Silver Pearl, Sunburst Orange, and Techno Gray.

(3) 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid MSRP $25,550.00 Estimated Mileage 40/45

One of the best hybrid cars is the 2008 Honda Civic. This vehicle features the Honda Satellite linked Navigation system with voice recognition GPS and DVD navigation aids, Hands Free Link for Bluetooth Enabled Devices, AM/FM Radio With 160-Watts, Speed Sensitive Volume and 6 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3/WMA Player; XM Satellite Radio, climate control, interior particle air filter, and rear heating ducts. This 4-door vehicle is available in the following colors: Alabaster Silver Metallic, Atomic Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Magnetic Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic, and Spectrum White Pearl.

(4) 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid MSRP $26,150.00 Estimated Mileage 33/34

The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a fast and sporty model. It comes with seat mounted front side airbags, electronic brake assistance, and diversity in glass antenna. Available options include carpeted floor mats, remote ignition, and vehicle intrusion system. This vehicle is available in the following colors: Barcelona Red Metallic, Black, Blue Ribbon Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Desert Sand Mica, Jasper Pearl, Magnetic Gray, Sky Blue, and Super White.

(5) 2008 Lexus RX 400h MSRP $42,080.00 Estimated Mileage 27/24

The 2008 Lexus RX 400h is a definite contender worthy of being called one of the best hybrid cars . This car comes with Lexus Premium AM/FM Radio With 132 Watts, Speed Sensitive Volume and 8 Speakers Total; Cassette Player; 6-Disc CD Changer with Radio, 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes , and Seat Mounted Front Side Airbags. A rear entertainment system is a family pleasing feature. The colors for this 4-door hybrid are Bamboo Pearl, Black Onyx, Brandywine Mica, Breakwater Blue Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Crystal White, Desert Sage Metallic, Golden Almond Metallic, Matador Red Mica, and Smoky Granite Mica.

(6) 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid MSRP 34,700.00 Estimated Mileage 27/25

No best hybrid car list would be complete without the inclusion of the 2009 Toyota Highlander entry. This well conceived vehicle comes equipped with Continuously Variable Electronically Controlled Adaptive Automatic Transmission with Overdrive, Adaptive Automatic Transmission, and Drive-By-Wire Control for Electronically Controlled Throttle with Intelligence, Electronically Controlled Brakes, and Electric Power Steering. Available options include Vehicle Anti-Theft via Alarm and Immobilizer, dual zone automatic climate control for the front, and it has a rear air conditioner. This roomy 4-door hybrid is available black, pearls, silver, and amethyst.

(7) 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid MSRP $29,305.00 Estimated Mileage 34/31

The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid comes standard with AM/FM Radio With 4 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3 Player; Sirius Satellite Radio (Includes 6-Month Subscription), Radio Data System, SYNC Wireless Communication Access For Bluetooth Enabled Devices , and Front Auxiliary Audio Input Jack. Some of the options available are Vehicle Security System, Engine Block Heater, and Invision Headrest DVD Entertainment. This 4-door vehicle is available in the following colors: Black, Black Pearl, Slate Metallic, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Kiwi Green Metallic, Ice Blue Metallic, and White Suede. It’s one of the great hybrid vehicles .

(8) 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid MSRP $50,455.00 Estimated Mileage 21/22

The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid comes standard with Passenger Airbag Cutoff Sensor, All-Speed Traction Control, and Bose Subwoofer. Options that are available include AM/FM Radio with CD/MP3/DVD Player and Navigation, Power Sunroof, 2-Way Advanced Remote, and Chrome Mirror Caps. This 4-door vehicle comes in the following colors: Black, Blue Granite Metallic, Deep Ruby Metallic, Silver Birch Metallic, and Summit White.

(9) 2008 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid MSRP $23,900.00 Estimated Mileage 24/32

The 2008 Saturn AURA Green Line is one of the top 10 hybrids that are available on the American market. This car is equipped with front side airbags, a Vehicle Stability Control System, and Radio Data System. Available options include Steering Wheel Mounted Controls For Audio, Engine Block Heater, and Wood grain Trim, power sunroof, and heated exterior mirrors. Available as a 4 door hybrid vehicle this Saturn model comes in several colors including Bronzed Pewter, Carbon Flash, Cream White, Deep Blue, Golden Cashmere, Ocean Mist, Red Jewel, Silver Pearl, and Techno Gray.

(10) 2009 Lexus GS 450h MSRP $56,400.00 Estimated Mileage 22/25

The 2009 Lexus GS 450h may be one of the best hybrid cars on the market. The options and features help make this a very desirable hybrid choice. It comes equipped with standard features like Seat Mounted Front Side Airbags, Lexus Premium AM/FM Radio with 10 Speakers; Cassette Player; 6-Disc CD Changer, and Satellite Radio Antenna. Some of the available options include Mark Levinson(R) Audio, Navigation System with mounted rear view camera, and active stabilizer. This 4-door vehicle is available in the following colors: Black Opal Mica, Matador Red Mica, Mercury Metallic, Obsidian, Opaline Pearl, and Starfire Pearl.

More Information on Green Living

• Convert Any Car to Electric — "All the steps are numbered with diagrams to be easy to follow. The conversion does not take too long, all you have to do is follow the simple plans I provide and in a month, you will cut your gas bill to zero."
• Renewable Energy Solutions — "Family living off the grid with renewable energy takes know how and applies it to solar panels and wind generators."
• Build A Wind Generator — "For the past 15 years our family has been living off the grid with only solar and wind power. We moved to our present location, built our own house ourselves and set to work to find alternative energy options for our home that we could afford."

Recommended Reading (2 More Amazing Hybrid Cars)

• Chevrolet Volt
• Tesla Roadster

What are the best hybrid cars on the market today? I discuss the Toyota Prius , Honda Civic Hybrid , Lexus LS 600h and the Lexus RX 400h . Learn more about the best hybrids available to you.

The cost of being a motorist seems to be ever-increasing. Prices at the pump seem to just be going up and up and so hybrid cars are becoming very popular among today’s budget conscious consumer. They are also a lot friendlier to the environment as well.

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Hybrid cars are vehicles that use two more power sources to propel it, with the most common being the traditional gasoline engine along with a rechargeable electrical system and motor. These hybrid cars really come into their own during town driving where the stop-start and slow-paced nature of the driving is perfect for the electrical motor and great fuel economies can be achieved.

With that being said, what are the best hybrid cars you can buy today? Buying a hybrid car is all about saving money and so the price of the car and the fuel economy are key factors in our decision making process. Taking this into account, along with the other factors that make up a good car, four of the best hybrid cars are as follows:

1. Toyota Prius . The Prius has been on sale in Japan for over a decade now making it the first mass-produced hybrid car before going on sale all over the world in 2001. The latest Prius Model (2008) is rated as the most fuel efficient car in the US, getting as much 48mpg depending on the nature of the drive. In the UK it is also one of the most efficient cars available, achieving as high 67.3mpg. A brand new 2008 Toyota Prius will cost just over $20,000 but some older models can be picked up for much lower prices .

2. Honda Civic Hybrid . Since they are both mid-size family sedans, the Civic and Toyota Prius hybrids are often compared with each other. They both come in at a similar price with the Civic slightly less efficient at up to 45mpg depending on the drive. The Civic has a more powerful gasoline engine while the Toyotaís electrical motor is significantly more powerful.

3. Lexus LS 600h. If you’re after a luxury hybrid vehicle then they don’t come any better than the Lexus LS 600h. It comes with a beautifully designed interior and very smooth running engine. With this comes a price though, costing around $100,000.

4. Lexus RX 400h . If you really must get a hybrid SUV then you might as well get one that is at least somewhat economical. In terms of full size 4×4s, this is the most fuel efficient you can buy and despite it being a hybrid, it will actually accelerate faster than the fully gasoline equivalent. Reaching 0-62mph in just over 7 seconds makes the RX 400 an exhilarating driving experience.

Whichever of the best hybrid cars you choose to buy, you can be sure you have made an eco-friendly decision and with technology only becoming better as time goes on, there are sure to be many models that will suit anyone’s budget.

More Information on Hybrid Car Living

• Convert Any Car to Electric — "All the steps are numbered with diagrams to be easy to follow. The conversion does not take too long, all you have to do is follow the simple plans I provide and in a month, you will cut your gas bill to zero."
• Renewable Energy Solutions — "Family living off the grid with renewable energy takes know how and applies it to solar panels and wind generators."
• Build A Wind Generator — "For the past 15 years our family has been living off the grid with only solar and wind power. We moved to our present location, built our own house ourselves and set to work to find alternative energy options for our home that we could afford."

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Getting To Know The History Of The Hybrid Car

It’s pretty interesting how people are becoming more aware of their environment nowadays. This can be seen on the increasing amount of environment friendly products in the market these days. Additionally, they’ve become aware of the various factors that contribute to the threatening pollution in the environment. Hence, companies started developing less toxic emitting products that also do well to the environment and one of the most prominent of this kind would be hybrid cars. As starter, here’s the history of the hybrid car .

It’s All About Steam

The concept of creating environment friendly or alternatively powered vehicles started with the idea of vehicles running with the use of steam . Between 1665 to1885 a couple of ideas regarding steam powered vehicles were noted. First off would be astronomer and Flemish Jesuit priest Ferdinand Verbiest, who had plans for a small four-wheeled unmanned steam car . Next would be Nicholas Cugnot who built a carriage powered by steam that was able to run for 6 miles/hour. Lastly would be Goldsworthy Gurney who was able to create a steam car that could run an 85 mile journey in just 10 hours.

Then Came Electricity

It was also quite early when people started conceptualizing and later on creating electricity powered cars . It was in 1839 when Scotsman Robert Anderson first created an electrically powered vehicle. Then, significant development was noted during the late 1800ís and early 1900ís. In fact, it was during this time when a lot of companies started making use of electricity to power their vehicles.

Electric Cabs and the History of the Hybrid Car

Additionally electrically powered cabs became prominent during the 1897, because this is when the London Electric Cab Company started their regular service by the use of cars which were made by Walter Bersey. It was called the Bersey Cab. This cab uses a 40-cell battery with a 3 HP electric motor. People were able to drive it 50 miles in between charges.

The First Porsche Hybrid

It was during 1898 when Dr. Ferdinand Porsche was able to build his very first car, which was called Lohner Electric Chaise . This car was also 1st front-wheel-drive. Then, the second car that he made was a hybrid. Here, he used an internal combustion engine so that the car’s generator would spin. In effect, it produced power to be used by electric motors, which could be found on the wheel hubs. Just using batteries, the car was able to travel about 40 miles. (Note: Read more about hybrid car batteries .)

Going Large Scale

In the past, manufacturers weren’t really able to create as much cars as they wanted. This is because they weren’t equipped with the right tools and machines to do so. However, as technology developed, car companies were able to make big batches of production.

In fact, by 1900, American car companies were able to create made 936 gasoline, 1,575 electric 1,681 steam car. People were also becoming more open with the use of electric cars . This can be seen on a poll which was conducted during the 1st National Automobile Show, where patrons actually favored electric cars for their 1st choice, while steam cars placed second on a very close fight.

During the first couple of years in the 20th century, thousands of hybrid and electric cars were actually created . However, when Henry Ford’s car line arrived along with the start of self-starting gas engines, this signaled the rapid decline of hybrid cars during 1920.

Fueled Cars Taking The Limelight

When fueled cars were introduced, this became a very significant period of time for hybrid cars . Simply because people started opting for gasoline fuelled cars than those that were hybrids. Additionally, car manufacturing companies, like Ford also created lines of gas fuelled automobiles that were quite cheap to buy. Since these cars were cheap, people started buying the cheap gas cars than those more expensive hybrid cars.

Hence, gas fueled cars took the limelight for quite some time. In fact, up to now, gas fueled vehicles are still on the spot light.

However, hybrid cars were still somewhere in the backdrop. Sadly, only those that were creating cars for themselves or those that stayed in rural areas and had the means to create their own cars still hold on to this kind of vehicle.

Nevertheless, people have become aware of the benefits of hybrid cars nowadays. Hence, they are coming back into the picture. Ironically, most people think that such cars were only invented recently. However the colorful history of the hybrid car simply shows that it started quite early and was only overshadowed by gas fueled cars due to convenience and money matters.

More Information on Green Living

• Convert Any Car to Electric — "All the steps are numbered with diagrams to be easy to follow. The conversion does not take too long, all you have to do is follow the simple plans I provide and in a month, you will cut your gas bill to zero."
• Renewable Energy Solutions — "Family living off the grid with renewable energy takes know how and applies it to solar panels and wind generators."
• Build A Wind Generator — "For the past 15 years our family has been living off the grid with only solar and wind power. We moved to our present location, built our own house ourselves and set to work to find alternative energy options for our home that we could afford."

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Finding Hybrid Dealers For Your Hybrid Car Needs

As more people are becoming open to the technology of hybrid and as more consumers actually buy such kind of cars, the more people are also being curious on how they can buy these cars . Although it may seem to b a new technology, finding cars like these isn’t really that hard to do. In fact, unknown to many, a lot of hybrid dealers are out there, just waiting to be asked for whatever car they have to offer.

How The Deal Works

In reality, finding hybrid car dealers and buying these kind of vehicles is just the same as buying a regular car. Hence, there’s really no problem on where you should go or find deals; simply because theyíre everywhere! Considering the popularity of hybrids nowadays, you wouldn’t have problems in spotting such kind of deals. So, here are some tips on where and how you could find different dealers that can suffice your hybrid car needs.

It’s A New Thing

One thing that you should realize when hunting for a good environmental friendly car is that such kinds of models are relatively new. Hence, they could only be bought from stores that sell them first hand. It would be quite impossible or rather extremely rare for you to find them in stores that sell second hand vehicles. It would also be rare to find someone selling his/her second hand hybrid.

Nevertheless, the good thing is that new dealers are starting to stock them even more each day. This is especially true, since more people are now getting more curious about hybrid vehicles and hybrid car dealers.

Starting With A Brand

Before heading out to look for dealers, it is recommended that you have a car brand in mind . In this way it would be easier to spot deals that are relevant to what you are looking for.

If you’re starting with a brand, thereís really not much to worry about since almost all manufacturers, such as, Toyota , Chevrolet , Nissan, BMW and Ford are all in this kind of industry already. In fact, such companies are getting more pressured each day to produce the best hybrid cars they can create due to the incessant need for alternatives to expensive fuel.

Going For Online Deals

For starters, the Internet would be a pretty good place to start your search for various car deals. This would be highly recommended if you think you’re not up to getting sales talked yet by a car salesman. Additionally, this method would also be helpful in letting you know more first about the features that the vehicle you are eyeing for has.

Nowadays, car deals are very rampant in cyberspace. It is possible for you to find different Web sites on the Internet that has various offers for hybrid cars. In fact, you could even get different quotations for various dealers. However, you should understand that the key to getting a good deal online is by having good research skills.

Try your best to get to know more info on the car that you want. You could also compare and contrast vehicles that different manufacturers offer. It would also be helpful if you read reviews online, both by experts and consumers to get more realistic feedback with your research. Once you feel that you are well-informed and ready to face a salesman , all you have to do is contact the Web site that you are interested on inquiring with.

Explore Your Newspapers Classified Ads

One classic way of looking for car deals would be your local paper’s classified ads. There are companies that advertise on papers and if theyíre on your locality, then it would really be easy to drop by for a visit. However, you should be wary that you shouldnít look on the second hand section of the ads, since as said earlier, most hybrids are not yet available in that kind of market.

Try Your Local Stores

If youíre looking for first hand experience, then you should try to observe your locality and see where you could find stores that sell cars. You could go directly to the manufacturer’s shop, if there’s any in your place or buy from hybrid dealers. Don’t hesitate to ask them if they have any promos or special offers , especially for hybrid vehicles .

NOTE: Looking for used hybrid cars ?

Hybrid cars are increasingly popular, as the price of gasoline has gone up and seems unlikely to drop below $2.00 per gallon in the foreseeable future. All hybrid cars have both an electric motor and a gasoline powered engine (hence the name); when the car brakes, the battery is recharged, and when the car idles, the gasoline engine may be shut down.

The appeal of a hybrid car is increased fuel economy , which both saves you money and reduces your environmental impact. As part of an incentive program to switch over to hybrid cars and electric vehicles, there are Federal programs that provide a tax rebate for their purchase; these tax rebates go away after a certain number of qualifying vehicles are sold. Most of the Toyota hybrid vehicles , including the Prius, have sold enough cars that these no longer apply.

With all that said, let’s cover the models that are out there, and what needs they fill.

The Toyota Prius is the dominant hybrid car on the market, it’s the model with the greatest mind share. With mileage in real world situations approaching 45 miles to the gallon, the Prius is the leader in terms of raw fuel economy. (It’s fuel economy is high enough that it still makes economic sense compared to the closest non hybrid vehicle in its weight range, the Volkswagon Golf). It boasts a comfortable front and rear seat arrangement (though the rear has some legroom issues), and remarkable driver visibility. Its drawback is that it is not, in any way, shape or form, sporty. It’s a perfectly functional box with wheels with excellent gas mileage .

If you’re looking for something that won’t set you apart as a greenie, something that has a sense of style that’s a bit more conventional, then the primary choice is the Honda Civic Hybrid . It gains a respectable 5 mpg over its non-Hybrid counterpart, but still costs almost $6,000 more at MSRP. However, it’s still eligible for the tax rebates mentioned above, which helps remove much of the sting. Aside from looks ant styling (it still looks like a midsized car, for example.) it boasts better legroom and its gasoline engine is more powerful than that of the Prius, meaning that it wins on the ‘fun to drive’ standard.

For people who love their SUVs, but can’t abide the gas bill, there are two models of hybrid SUVs on the market; both are good for people who want to haul serious cargo, and get over 16 mpg. (In terms of percentage of increase, most SUVs gain more from a hybrid engine than any other vehicle class, in part because SUVs start with horrible gas mileage, and because they have more space to store batteries.)

The leading hybrid truck in the country is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid , which is really more of an overgrown station wagon than a heavy SUV; even so, the hybrid mechanism adds nearly 10 mpg to the mileage compared to the non-Hybrid version, and it doesn’t lose much in the way of performance.

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For a full sized SUV, the Ford Escape Hybrid is the only one on the market, and its sales have been dismal, though it gets good reviews as a car. It gains 7 miles per gallon over its non-hybrid counterpart, and has a full SUV-sized carrying capacity. What it also has is a huge sticker shock. More recent models have had plug in ports to let you charge the battery overnight from a wall socket.

The Chevy Volt may be the future of hybrid drive train vehicles. Designed as a plug in hybrid from the get go, the Volt has four electric motors powering the wheels directly, powered by the hybrid batteries , backed up by the small, very efficient gasoline engine powers a generator that refills the battery on the car. Because they could replace the drive shaft and transmission with more battery capacity, the Volt has a cruising range of 30 to 40 miles before it even starts up the gasoline engine. GM is talking about scaling this drive train up to a full sixed truck body vehicle if the Volt does well in the market place.

As more people are becoming considerate of the environment, the idea of driving a vehicle less dependent on gas is becoming more popular.

With this idea though, people are wondering how to pick a hybrid car, because they are interested in making the right choice for their vehicle needs as far as the environment go, but also for their lifestyles and wallets.

To choose a hybrid vehicle you should first choose the type of vehicle you need. Take into consideration how many people will be in your vehicle regularly as well as any kind of moving of heavy objects you do regularly. This is a first step when choosing any vehicle, but, while taking this into consideration, think about how each class of vehicle will also affect your gas mileage .

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You see, each class of hybrid usually has higher mileage per gallon, but is still something you want to consider, if you are trying to decide between a sedan type and an SUV. The difference in the gas mileage can be as high as 30mpg. For instance if you want Toyota hybrids such as the Toyota Prius , for city driving you can expect up to 60 mpg, and for highway driving up to 50mpg. However if you decide to instead go for the Ford Escape the mileage is 36/31. That is a huge difference for two vehicles that carry the same amount of passengers.

The cost of a hybrid is something else you might want to consider when thinking about how to choose a hybrid vehicle. For instance most gas only vehicles cost up to $5,000 less than a hybrid. You will be able to compare the two vehicles you like with their prices when you check for quotes, and in some cases you might be surprised to find that the difference can be as low as $3000.

If you are paying monthly for your vehicle you might want to sit down with calculator and find out if the extra payment of up to $90 a month (using the average $18/$1000 loan) is worth it. For instance the Prius is going to get you almost double the gas mileage you might have with a regular sedan, so you would spend half as much on gas every month. In the long run with the help each vehicle brings for the environment this could, very well, be worth the cost.

In the end no one can tell you exactly how to pick a hybrid car , but if you take these things into consideration you are going to be much happier with your decision to go hybrid, and the vehicle you choose.

Let’s face it…

If you really want to know how to pick a hybrid car then you have to understand your goals. How much money can you spend? What is the hybrid vehicle going to be used for? Are you worried about hybrid car batteries , hybrid maintenance , and hybrid car risks ? If you are, then you might want to wait another 3-4 years until you feel confident in the technology. That trust in hybrids is critical to your well-being and peace of mind.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

If you’re doing research on hybrid cars, hybrid trucks, or hybrid vans, then you need to head over to http://HybridCarsTrucksVans.com/ I discuss many related topics such as hybrid minivans, hybrid SUVs, and even hybrid motorcycles. Start your hybrid car research today.

This article is about the Chevrolet Volt. First, I discuss the development of the Chevy Volt. Second, I talk about hybrid vehicles in general then I focus on the Volt specifically. Third, I discuss the technology of the Volt. Lastly, I talk about availability of this car.

Since the fuel prices have continued to rise in the last few years, people all across the world have began to do something about it. Top auto manufactures have come up with hybrid vehicles as well as electrical cars .

The Chevrolet Company has developed the Chevrolet Volt as its plug in hybrid car of the future. It was first introduced as a concept car; however, with the demand for gasoline-free, or an automobile that uses less gas, it will be on the market by 2010. The Volt’s extended range gasoline engine is expected to range approximately from 50 miles per gallon to as much as 150 miles per gallon

Many people may wonder what is meant by hybrid vehicles . Hybrid vehicles are vehicles that have at least two, but usually more types of energy sources, which provide propulsion, either shared or individually. Chevrolet Company intentionally avoids using the term “hybrid” on the “Volt”. They prefer to use the term “Electric Vehicle” , which is equipped with a range extending gasoline-powered motor with a 1.4 L, 4-cylinder engine, which is used for powering the 53-kilowatt generator. However, it is more commonly referred to as a “Series Hybrid”.

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GM plans to call the Volt an “E-REV” , (extended range electric vehicle ). However, the 4-cylinder engine will not have any mechanical linkage to the wheels, like the regular hybrid vehicles. It will be run at necessary speeds that will optimize fuel consumption, and charge rate efficiency, and it will reduce emissions. The only emissions that the Volt might produce from its tailpipes, may be a small amount of Carbon Dioxide, and that is in a very safe amount, if it emits any at all, and that is not expected to happen.

The “Volt “ is designed to run entirely on electric power (read: hybrid car batteries ), with a plug in located just in front of the left side mirror, by the fender well. The average commute for many people is usually around 33 miles (53 km). With the Lithium Ion batteries at full charge the car will travel for 40 miles before the gasoline engine even turns on, using the 111 kilowatt, 150 horse power motor, long enough to recharge the batteries, via a 53 kilowatt generator. This can increase the range of the Volt from 40 miles to as much as 640 miles (1,030 km). If you have access to a regular 120/240 volt AC residential outlet, you can also recharge the batteries with an extension cord, which also comes with the new vehicle. A full charge will take 8 hours, which is a normal workday. Therefore, there is no need for an external charging station.

Chevrolet wanted to change the drive train, in order to make it easier to standardize the new electrical components for the Volt and its future electrically propelled vehicles. So a new drive train called the “E-Flex” will be introduced at the showroom, in 2010.

If the EPA tests were run for the Volt the same way they are for other hybrid vehicles , the Volt’s ability to use stored energy from the batteries would result in the first vehicle to reach a fuel economy rating of over 100 mpg . This would make it the very first vehicle to be mass-produced that acquired such a high rating.

More Information on Green Living

• Convert Any Car to Electric — "All the steps are numbered with diagrams to be easy to follow. The conversion does not take too long, all you have to do is follow the simple plans I provide and in a month, you will cut your gas bill to zero."
• The Battery Reconditioning Report — "The battery reconditioning report is a smart set of techniques, some of which I knew for years and have applied to seemingly dead NiCad batteries."
• Build A Wind Generator — "For the past 15 years our family has been living off the grid with only solar and wind power. We moved to our present location, built our own house ourselves and set to work to find alternative energy options for our home that we could afford."

This article will help you understand the fuel economy, pricing, general availability and quality of the Chevrolet hybrid vehicles on the market today.

There are many Chevrolet hybrids available that can provide fuel efficient performance and remain environmentally friendly. This car company has taken to hear the challenge to produce a clean fuel vehicle that also offers performance.

These hybrid electric vehicles include the hybrid Silverado pickup truck , the Tahoe SUV hybrid , and also the Malibu sedan hybrid . All these American hybrid cars and hybrid trucks use two motors. One of these is a standard gasoline motor and the other is an electric motor. The gasoline and electric motors are designed to work together or alone to provide the best fuel economy and lowest hybrid car cost for the owner

At the present time, no other company offers such a wide variety of American hybrid cars and trucks. This enables the Chevrolet group to have an advantage over other car manufacturers like Ford and Dodge . All these Chevy hybrids are new offerings for the 2009 model year. More and more auto companies are attempting to come up with their clean fuel vehicle to sell on the open market, but Chevy may have the edge in development on many of them.

Fuel Economy/Engine

The Chevy hybrid Silverado achieves its superb gas mileage by just using the vehicle’s electric motor at lower speeds under 30 mph . When the truck is traveling at up to 30 mph, this hybrid electric vehicle uses electric power to operate the vehicle. When speeds exceed 30 mph, the truck’s powerful 6.0 liter V8 gasoline engine does the work to provide the customer the power that he needs for demanding situations.

The gasoline engine manages to get an impressive horsepower rating of 332 and a torque rating that comes in at 367. Regardless of the motor that the Chevy hybrid is using, the uniquely designed transmission will try to operate in the gear that will deliver the best mileage.

The fuel economy on the highway is rated to be around 20 mpg and in city traffic these hybrid vehicles can still manage close to 22mpg and up. The in town or city mileage is higher than highway mileage because the electric motor does almost all of the work in the confines of city traffic. With a full tank of gas the truck has a total driving range of over 500 miles. A good estimate for the driving range on a full tank will be between 500 and 550 miles.

The Chevy Tahoe hybrid has the same 6.0 liter V8 gasoline engine capable of producing up to 332 hp and 367 psi torque. The electric motor used in the Chevy Tahoe hybrid is also the same as in the Chevy Silverado Hybrid . The fuel rating on the Chevy Tahoe hybrid SUV is 20 mpg in the highway and 21 mpg in the city.

The Chevy Malibu hybrid car has a 2.4 liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a smaller electric motor. The horse power rating of the 2.4 liter is around 180. The Malibu hybrid achieves an awesome mpg highway rating of 34 and a city rating of 35, depending on your driving style and situation. These are very impressive mileage ratings.

Price/Availability

The price for the Chevy Hybrid Silverado is going to be somewhere in the mid forty thousand dollar range depending on the exact model chosen and the options included. Availability for this is limited because of the demand for a hybrid truck that provides great fuel mileage and performance .

The Chevy Tahoe hybrid sells for fifty-one thousand , but the price can vary depending on options and model. Again, the availability is very limited on this hybrid vehicle because it is a full and complete SUV but it is offered with a hybrid power train. The Chevy Malibu hybrid is the least expensive in the Chevy hybrid line up with a MSRP of twenty-four thousand. However, based on equipment chosen and options, the price can vary. The availability of this Chevy hybrid car is also very limited because of consumer demand and reserves already placed on the units being produced.

Quality

All three hybrid vehicles that Chevy offers have the same excellent quality in construction and design as seen in their gasoline counterparts. Therefore, consumers are not missing any of the luxuries or standards that Chevy offers in its regular autos. All three hybrids have the option to be equipped with any up grades such as leather seats and dynamic sound systems.

The only aspect of the Chevy hybrids that is different compared to the gasoline models is the unique drive train . The comfort and handling of all of the hybrids equals or surpasses that found in other Chevy models. There is great care and good workmanship shown in the entire construction of all of the Chevy hybrids that are presently being produced for the public.

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Chevy Hybrid Overview

The entire Chevy hybrid line offers comfort, reliability and roomy interiors and this is sure to please many car buyers. These cars are proof that you can have power, performance and a clean fuel vehicle all in one neat little package. Consumers should be pleased with the mileage and handling of any of the newest Chevy family members.

This article is about the Tesla Roadster. First, I give you a brief description of this electric vehicle. Second, I discuss how the Tesla was developed. Third, I review the technology of the Roadster. And lastly, I talk about the availability of this electric car.

The Tesla Roadster is a fully electric sports car, which can travel up to 244 miles (393 km) on a single charge of the battery pack, which is lithium ion based.

People have argued in the past that electric cars would not be as efficient as gasoline powered cars, simply because they would not be fast enough. The Tesla Roadster which is the first electric car to be manufactured by Tesla Motors can reach 0 to 60 (0 to 97km/h), in 3.9 seconds, that is fast. (Some people say it’s the best hybrid car but it’s an electric car, not a hybrid car .)

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In developing the Tesla Roadster, Tesla Motors acquired the help of Lotus Cars. Lotus Motors gave Tesla a basic chassis idea of its own Lotus Elise. Tesla engineers made plans to use a resin molded carbon fiber composite to minimize the weight. This resulted in the Roadster being the least expensive car with a carbon fiber skin.

The technology that is used for the AC motor and the drive train are much more advanced than the same technology used by General Motors . Tesla’s AC Propulsion EV power and Reductive charging system designs, covers the integration of charging the electronics with an inverter, which will reduce mass, the complexity, and lower the cost of the Roadster.

This two seater electric sports car is being manufactured in Hethel, UK by the Lotus factory. However, the parts come from all around the world, from Taiwan to California. The chassis comes from Norway, and France creates the carbon fiber body panels. The brakes and the air bags come from Germany.

The Tesla Roadster has a 3 phase, 4 pole electric motor that can produce 248 hp (185 kw), and it delivers 80% of efficiency when the motor is topped out, and 90% efficiency during typical driving . The tachometer is designed for speeds that will reach up to 14,000 rpm’s.

In September 2008, Tesla decided to manufacture gearboxes from Borg Warner, and soon began equipping all the Roadsters with a single speed fixed gearbox, with an electronic parking lock mechanism and a mechanical lubricating pump.

The next idea from Tesla was to improve the transmission, and after several tries, finally developed the single speed gearbox. It combined with an improved electronics and motor cooling systems, which made it possible to reach a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).

The Tesla Roadster’s battery system is referred to as ESS (Energy Storage System). It is based from the type of batteries used from a Laptop computer only on a much larger scale. It takes 31/2 hours to fully recharge the ESS, using a high power connector. Once it has been fully charged for 53 kWh. Tesla Motors expects the ESS system to last for 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or approximately for 5 years, whichever comes first.

Tesla began accepting reservation orders in September of 2006, to be shipped out by 2008. Tesla opened their first American service center on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles in May of this year, and as of July of this year Menlo Park California has become not only a show room, but the final assembly point for all American ordered Tesla Roadsters.

Tesla is planning on adding 15 more service centers in the United States, with New York, Miami, Chicago, and Seattle among the tip picked cities.

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