Hybrid Cars, Hybrid Trucks, Hybrid Vans and Hybrid Motorcycles

This is a Honda Civic hybrid and Toyota Prius comparison. First, I discuss C02 emissions and pollution. Second, I talk about Honda hybrid car style. Third, I talk about the hybrid engine and the Prius. Fourth, I talk about Civic and Prius performance and power on the road.

While global oil prices are up & down these days, cars like Honda civic hybrid will definitely a hit on roads. Also when the whole world is concerned about global warming because of co2 & other emissions from vehicles, an hybrid car will make the environment less pollutant.

One should appreciate Honda for its technological advancement in this. Honda Civic sedan has been a good looking car & its a eye catching one with its aerodynamic style. The style doesn’t changed much in this hybrid variant of Civic.

This model has a petrol engine & an electric motor which will run simultaneously to increase the performance of the car. When Civic comes to halt the petrol engine will be turned off & only electric motor would be running. This would be useful to reduce fuel consumption when the car standing at traffic signals on roads. And during acceleration, petrol engine will be automatically turned off for better performance. The best thing in this is, the driver or the other passengers would not be aware of this engine turning on & off. It just silently happens.

The battery will be charged while the engine is running continuously. All this is controlled by Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system in it. This hybrid variant produces less power when compared to the petrol one, because of its 1.3 litre i-VTEC unit. The petrol one has 1.8 litre unit. So more work has to done by this 1339cc engine. Also it is lighter than petrol model by 30 kg.

The performance of the hybrid in highways would not be better than petrol. The assistance of motor during the acceleration does not seems to help in cruising at high speeds. The maximum speed attained at tests was only 158km/h for this hybrid sedan. The suspension is also good because of its 195/65 R15 tires.

The ground clearance is a matter for this Civic model. And it behaves more like a city car. The Toyota Prius seems to be the most fuel efficient car with its 2 electric motors. These motors can also used as generators and capable of starting the vehicle. The Civic Hybrid has a smaller but more powerful petrol engine (1.3L 95BHP) when compared to 1.5L 76BHP for the Prius. The Civic’s electronic assist motor is (20BHP), while the Prius has a 67BHP motor.

The standard warranty for hybrid related components in Prius is 8 years/100,000 miles. Producing low emissions and achieving excellent fuel economy . As like Civic Hybrid, Prius is also not good on high speeds. Another typical city driving car.

Plug-in hybrids use a larger electric battery that is recharged from external power in order to further reduce fuel consumption. Here electric operation will be more used than the engine’s. The plug-in model is due for 2011.

This Prius has added convex solar cells to its roof. From May 2007 Toyota Prius use solar cells to generate up to 240 watts of electrical power on a full sunny day. This is reported as permitting up to 15 km extra range.

Apart from all these, Prius has got "Green Engine of the Year 2008" from International Engine of the Year Awards. And Nominated for "WhatGreenCar.com Car of the Year Awards 2008", shortlisted for the UK’s top Green Car Awards. This is more popular in Japan & North America. I would definitely like to own any of these eco friendly cars.

More Information on Green Living

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