By: Daniel Sasi

History of Hybrid VehiclesAlthough people may believe that hybrid technology is

somewhat recent, hybrid technology has been around as long as cars themselves.

First milestone in hybrid technology was when H. Piper filed a patent in 1905 for an electric motor that supplemented a gasoline engine.

This patent was not intended to increase gas mileage or cut down gas prices, instead the hybrid was to allow a vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 25 K/HR in 10 seconds.

The Woods Motor Vehicle Dual Power

In 1915, the Woods motor Vehicle manufacturers created a dual Power hybrid vehicle.

The Dual Power used the electric motor to carry the vehicle at low speeds, and gasoline motor to carry the vehicle at high speeds.

When the Dual Power vehicle went into production more than 600 vehicles were created.

The Godfather of the HybridsIn the 1960’s and 1970’s Victor Wouk was

named “The Godfather of Hybrid Vehicles”.

Victor created numerous different hybrid designs that were built upon to design new hybrid vehicles in recent years.

P.N.G.V.In 1993, the Partnership for a new generation

of vehicles was issued by Bill Clinton’s administration in recognition of the urgency of production of cars other than gasoline powered vehicles.

This implemented cars using alternative power sources, especially electric powered vehicles.

Modern History of hybrid VehiclesIt was Toyota and Honda that set the pace for

production of hybrid vehicles.

Some of the 2009 hybrids available in North America

Sedans Suv’s

Honda Civic Hybrid Ford Escape Hybrid Suv

Saturn Aura Hybrid Lexus 400h Suv

Nissan Altima Hybrid Toyota Highlander Suv

Toyota Prius Hybrid Mercury Mariner Suv

Toyota Camry Hybrid Mazda Tribute Compact Suv

Parts of the Hybrid CarGasoline engine-much smaller than on normal cars.

Fuel tank-storage for gasoline when not being used.

Electric motor-Acts as a motor as well as a generator

Generator-acts only to produce electrical power.

Batteries-energy storage device for the motor.

Transmissions- perform similar transmissions as those on a normal car.

Why Go Hybrid?A hybrid vehicle is a compromise between Gas and electric

power.

Hybrids are intended to significantly increase mileage per the gallon and reduce emissions of a gas powered car.

An electric car makes no pollution but can only go 50-100 MPH between charges.

The Hybrid is a combination of the both using both gas and electric power when needed.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car2.htm

Improved Fuel EfficiencyHybrid Vehicles are so popular today due to

the high cost of gas and peoples demand for improved vehicles fuel efficiency.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car4.htm

Hybrid VehiclesHybrid vehicles use a combination of gasoline

and electric components to run their motors.

Hybrid vehicles improve gas mileage while reducing air pollution.

Hybrids seem like a simple reasonable solution to some of our nations economic and environmental problems.