What Is A Hybrid Vehicle?
Is There More Than One Hybrid System?
Who Manufactures Hybrid Vehicles?
Why Should We Drive Hybrids?
Where Would I Get My Hybrid Serviced?
Are Hybrid Cars Safe?
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What Is A Hyrid Vehicle?
A Hybrid Vehicle is a Car, Bus or Utility vehicle that has been configered to operate with an Electric Motor
as well as an Internal Combution Engine(ICE). There are multiple reasons for a Hybrid configeration. However,
the two primary uses for Hybrid systems are: Fuel Efficiency and more Available Power. A third, less
used option is for auxiliary electrical equipment.
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Is There More Than One Hybrid System?
There are three primary Hybrid Categories: Full Hybrid, Power Assist Hybrid and the Mild Hybrid.
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Full Hybrid - The Full Hybrid refers to vehicles that are capable of operation on either Electric only or its Internal
Combustion Engine(ICE). It also has dual Electric & ICE operation.
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Power Assist Hybrid - The Power Assist Hybrid has an Electric Motor and battery pack as well as an ICE.
However, the two do not operate independent of each other. The Electric Motor is not used for local motion
on its own. The Electric Motor is used to assist the ICE for low end torque requirements(i.e., accelerating from
a stop sign or passing a car on the freeway).
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Mild Hybrid - The Mild Hybrid is the least recognized lf the three hybrid systems. The purpose of the Mild Hybrid
is to reduce engine idling at stop lights and stop signs. If the vehicle is at rest the car will shut down instead of idling
and wasting gas & causing pollution. There is no connection between the drivetrain and the electric motor (it does
not assist in the local motion of the vehicle). The onboard electric motor is only used to restart the ICE.
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Who Manufacturers Hybrid Vehicles?
There are now many choices for Hybrid Vehicles. Here are the manufacturers and what they offer (some of
the vehicles listed have been discontinued).

• Chevrolet - Malibu & Silverado
• Ford - Escape
• GMC - Sierra
• Honda - Accord, Civic & Insight
• Lexus - GS 450h & RX 400h
• Mercury - Mariner
• Nissan - Altima
• Saturn - Aura & Vue Green Line
• Toyota - Camry, Highlander & Prius

Note: By the year 2011, almost every major manufacturer will have a Hybrid Vehicle line-up.
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Why Should We Drive Hybrids?
We advocate Hybrid ownership mainly for the environment. Other reasons include National Security (Oil
Independence) and just your personal financial bottom line. Hybrids save you money everyday at the pump. Gas
Prices will never stay low(the cost for a barrel of oil is on a steady upward march).
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Where Would I Get My Hybrid Serviced?
Currently the best place to get you hybrid serviced is your manufacturer's certified dealer service department.
As the technology becomes more mainstream over the next 2 - 3 years you will see other, independent, mechanics
working on Hybrids as well.
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Are Hybrid Cars Safe?
Yes, Hybrid cars are safe. They meet all NHTSA requirements as any other vehicle on the road. Also, there have
been no reports of electrocution with Hybrid Vehicles. There are no extra safety concerns that are specific to the
Hybrid Vehicle.
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