One of the newest in the batch 2007 hybrid car lineup is the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid, the third in Toyota's Hybrid cars. The Camry hybrid boasts of a performance of a topnotch six-cylinder engine with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine. Although it isn't as fuel efficient as the first Toyota hybrid, the Prius, the Camry hybrid is a whole lot better than the regular Camry.

Never to be left behind, giant Japanese vehicle manufacture Honda, has also the Hybrid Accord and the Hybrid Civic. These two sedans offer what Hybrids are known for, less emission and less fuel consumption.

The 2007 Honda Accord Hybrid alone combines luxury and fuel efficiency that's truly environment friendly. Even with a V6 engine that generates 253 horsepower, you can be sure that you will get more miles to the gallon. It is a nice change knowing that you get the luxury and power that you want and still get the fuel economy that we all deserve.

Then there is the 2007 Civic Hybrid which continuously provides the true essence of hybrid technology. Its ingenious engineering has rightly earned it its Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) rating. What this means is that you don't only get from point A to point B in less gas usage, but also save the environment by not adding to the air pollutants already swarming over it.

Joining the Hybrid vehicle race in 2007 is General Motors second Hybrid vehicle, the 2007 Aura Hybrid sedan. This will be competing with other high-end hybrid automobiles such as the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Honda Accord Hybrid. Sporting a V6 engine as well, the Aura Green Line is dedicated to providing utmost engine power with minimal gas consumption. Its engineers claim that it will be able to generate 20 percent savings in fuel economy over its conventional model.

Nissan has also announced that a 2007 Altima Hybrid will be offered and has offered test drives and a glimpse of its development automobile. In a deal inked with Toyota, Nissan will be dedicating five years into the project with the Hybrid Technology developed by Toyota.

Rumored to be unveiling its first hybrid model, Volkswagen is said to be preparing a full-hybrid car for 2007 but it hasn't disclosed yet which automobile model they will be infusing the technology. Latest rumors said that it would be on the Jetta for the upscale engine level or in the Passat for the four-cylinder class.

With more and more car manufacturers realizing the potential of Hybrid automobiles, it wont be long before every vehicle produced will be infused with the Hybrid technology. And as oil prices continue to soar and concerns for the environment are ever growing, we have the ability to all be sure that these vehicles will be welcomed with open arms.

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Motor Trends Automobile of the Year for 2004, North American Automobile of the Year in 2004, 2004 International Engine of the Year, 2005 European Car of the Year, 2006 Energuide Award in the Midsize segment, this and more are the accolades given to the Toyota Prius Hybrid Vehicle. Undoubtedly one of the most popular and most regarded competitor in the ever growing hybrid automobile segment, the Toyota Prius has definitely made a marked in the motor industry.

The Toyota Prius is a Hybrid vehicle that makes a bold statement against environmental issues and the rising gas prices. It is also the first ever mass-produced hybrid automobile for commercial purposes. Its name itself means first.

The Toyota Prius hybrid car was first sold in Japan in 1997 before it was distributed all over the globe 4 years later in 2001. Its popularity was boosted by environmentalists touting it as the vehicle for the future to save our planet from air pollution. Sales in North America ws strong and increasing annually. By fall of 2006, the Toyota Prius hybrid car had the strongest demand and has the longest preorder and waiting list there is presently.

Toyota sees the Prius as a venue that would provide the consumers with a vehicle that would produce less pollution and to be very energy efficient. And Toyota certainly reached that goal. They created the Prius from the bottom up resulting to a true hybrid vehicle that's loved worldwide.

Toyota engineers came up with a couple of ways to develop the Toyota Prius hybrid automobile to be unlike other previous concept electric vehicles, the Prius doesn't ever need to be plugged in for recharging. The two electric motor generators get its power from the gas engine, recharging while the engine power is being used. Also, through regenerative braking, a process that recovers kinetic energy when the automobile brakes and transforming it to electrical energy to recharge the batteries.

By 2004 a second generation of Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle was released on the market. Capitalizing on the development of the new Hybrid Synbergy Drive technology, the previous Toyota Hybrid System was replaced in the new generation Toyota Hybrids. Many improvements were developed and infused in the technology making the Toyota Prius hybrid car even superior than before.

Aside from the engine, Toyota added more room to the Toyota Prius hybrid automobile making it wider and taller allowing for taller people to sit erect inside the car and allowing more views of the road.

Because of the success brought by the Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle and the public awareness it has developed, Toyota has extended its Hybrid lineup to their other cars. This includes the Toyota Camry hybrid and their top of the line Lexus marquee with the Lexus RX400H.

Truly, the Toyota Prius hybrid car has gone a long way. Its engineering superiority and its excellent reputation has made it a great choice for many people. Even a lot of notable famous people have purchased themselves a Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle to show their support to environmental awareness.

Toyota has definitely hit the nail in the head with the Toyota Prius hybrid automobile and we have the ability to anticipate to see more of this technology in the future. With Toyota's dedication to this endeavor, we have the ability to be sure that we have the ability to finally cut down on gas consumption and save our planet.

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The hybrid SUV started the test with one 15-gallon tank of gas. That one tank of fuel and a 330-volt electric battery kept the Ford Escape Hybrid running for 37 consecutive hours of city driving in the grueling urban congestion of Manhattan, for a total of 576 miles. The resulting fuel economy of the hybrid version of the Escape is a 75 percent improvement over the 20 mpg that the Environmental Protection Agency rates the conventional Ford Escape V-6 at.

An electric motor powered by a 330-volt nickel-metal battery pack and a conventional gas internal combustion engine are combined to run the Ford Escape Hybrid. When driving, the system chooses whether to use power from the electric motor or the gas engine, and when extra power is needed it will use both at the same time. Unlike some hybrid cars, the Ford Escape is capable of running on electric power exclusively, and at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. The system constantly evaluates how to maximize fuel economy, and will use the ideal combination of electric and gas power to achieve that.

The casual observer will be unable to tell the difference between the hybrid and conventional versions of the Escape as they look exactly the same, and in fact come off the same assembly line. The dash board even appears normal, though there's a battery level gauge, and the tachometer has a below-zero setting that indicates the vehicle is running in electric only mode.

In a midtown-Manhatten road test, the Ford Escape Hybrid performed at the same levels you would expect from a conventional SUV, despite the fact that it ran much of the test in electric-only mode. The gas engine kicked in smoothly when needed, and in electric-only mode the car is nearly silent.

When the gas engine is running, it also recharges the battery. Power generated by braking is also used to charge the battery (called regenerative braking). Despite common misconceptions, hybrid automobiles never have to be plugged in to an external electrical source for charging.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is a good option for those struggling to select between fuel economy and the comforts found in a SUV. You get the improved fuel economy and reduced emissions of a hybrid commuter vehicle, and also the 4WD performance of a conventional SUV with plenty of room for passengers, pets, and cargo.

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Several models of hybrid vehicle placed in service by the end of 2005 are eligible for a clean fuel deduction of $2,000. Those put in use during 2006 could be eligible for a $500 federal income tax deduction.

Under current legislation cars purchased after 2006 won't be eligible for a deduction. If you purchased a hybrid vehicle before 2005, you can submit a claim for the deduction by filing an amended tax return for the tax year in which the automobile was bought.

The following stipulations must be met for your hybrid vehicle to qualify:

* You must buy the automobile new and for your own use. Automobiles purchased for resale don't qualify.

* You must drive the vehicle "mostly" in the United States.

* The automobile must meet all federal as well as state emmissions requirements.

* Government agencies, tax exempt organizations, and foreign entities are not eligible for the deduction.

* If any of the above conditions change within three years of the automobile purchase, you may be required to return some of the money saved by the deduction.

The following vehicles currently qualify for the deduction. Other hybrids may be approved at a later date:

2005 Ford Escape Hybrid
2005 Honda Accord Hybrid
2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid
2000-2005 Honda Insight
2001-2005 Toyota Prius

Whether you itemize or take the standard deduction doesn't matter. Either way, you can still claim the clean-fuel tax deduction. Simply include the deduction for your hybrid automobile on your 1040 form in the "Tax, Credits, and Payments" section. Enter the appropriate amount of the deduction you're claiming and the words "Clean Fuel" in the space to the left of the block for line 35 and include the deduction for your hybrid automobile in the total.

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Those are the basics of hybrid cars in general. We will divide hybrids into two categories to examine further how the three components work together. Each category of hybrids incorporates the three components in its own way.

Mild Hybrids -
In the mild hybrid configuration the electric motor isn't able to function independently of the gas internal combustion engine. The vehicle is powered primarily by the gas engine, and the electric motor only provides supplemental power to assist when needed. The electric motor is capable of drawing energy from the battery or generating electricity to charge the battery, but it isn't capable of doing both at the same time. The Honda Civic and Insight are mild hybrid cars.

Full Hybrids -
Full hybrid cars integrate the three components in a way that grants the electric motor and the gas engine to operate independently of each other. For instance the electric motor is capable of operating on its own to provide light acceleration at low speeds. The gas engine then starts up and takes over at higher speeds. Both the electric motor and gas engine can operate in unison when more power is needed during hard acceleration, such as when climbing hills. Full hybrids are also able to draw energy from the battery and charge it at the same time. The Toyota Prius and Ford Escape are full hybrids.

Despite their differences, both types of hybrid vehicles achieve the goal of increased fuel economy and decreased emissions over standard gas or diesel powered vehicles.

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The Highlander Hybrid SUV is a seven-passenger car that doesn't sacrifice comfort for fuel economy. The hybrid model is just like the gas Highlander. It handles just as well, has a simple cabin design, and maintains the same 81 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The difference is that it achieves much greater fuel economy while being more powerful. Yes, you might go back and read that again. The hybrid version of the Highlander is actually MORE powerful than the gas model.

Toyota used the same 3.3 liter V6 in the hybrid SUV that it uses in the gas Highlander. They recalibrated it and added three electric motors. One of the electric motors is used for starting the internal combustion engine and also recharging the 288-volt battery pack. One works with the gas engine to drive the front wheels. And the other adds additonal power to the rear wheels when extra traction or power is needed (the third electric motor is not used on front-wheel drive models).

Do not let the silence fool you when starting the Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV. The gas engine won't kick in until you hit 25 mph or you turn on the air conditioning.

The hybrid Highlander isn't lacking for power. In fact, the hybrid model boasts a whopping 268 horsepower compared to the gas model's 230. Acceleration is responsive at any speed with the electric motors handling the low-end pull, and the gas engine hitting its stride in midrange. The Highlander Hybrid went from zero to 60 in 7.2 seconds in track testing, making it one of the fastest SUVs (hybrid or internal combustion) in its price range.

During testing the Highlander Hybrid SUV only attained a 23 mpg average fuel economy. This was a bit disappointing, especially since Toyota claims 31 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, but in the 7-8 passenger SUV class it really doesn't get much superior than that. Hybrids perform much better in terms of fuel economy at low speeds because this is where they use more electricity than gas. While stuck in traffic the Highlander got about 30 mpg.

The 2006 Highlander Hybrid comes with more standard features than the gas model. The model tested came standard with leather and side airbags. But even after adjusting for the extras, you can anticipate to pay about $3,000 more for the hybrid over the conventional model. One incentive to purchase the hybrid model is you can take a $2,000 tax credit if you buy in 2005. However in 2006 the federal tax incentive drops to $500.

The 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV is the only hybrid that seats seven passengers.

2006 Lexus RX 400h

The Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV is essentially the best-selling RX 330 with a hybrid drivetrain installed. And the wait list for the hybrid model was so long that Lexus was forced to set up a communication system specifically for keeping customers updated on the vehicle's progress. Due to the early buzz created by the RX 400h, Lexus is now planning hybrid versions of the GS and LS sedans.

The RX 400h hybrid SUV uses the same drivetrain as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and is rated for fuel economy at 31 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The Lexus is available in all-wheel drive only.

The RX 400h is 100 pounds heavier than the Highlander, but equalled the Toyota's zero to 60 time at 7.2 seconds. In the quarter mile the Lexus slightly outperformed the Toyota hybrid SUV at 15.3 seconds.

Like the Highlander, the Lexus RX 400h has more power than it's gas counterpart. Even at 300 pounds heavier than the RX 300, the 400h felt considerably faster, even when easily ascending steep highway grades. The RX 400h has a tighter suspension than the Highlander Hybrid, as well as 18-inch tires, which made for better handling and an exciting drive.

The Lexus delivered a disappointing 22 mpg average, with the best tank at 24 mpg. Despite those numbers, compare it with the gas RX 300 which when tested only averaged 16 mpg.

There's a marked increase in engine noise with the RX 400h when under hard acceleration. More so than with the RX 330. There was a similar problem with the Toyota, but the difference seemed greater in the Lexus.

The Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV has a sticker of $11,000 more than the base RX 330, but it comes with just about each possible feature. If you add all of those features to the RX 330, the difference is only about $3,000 which is comparable to the difference in the Toyota models.

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Tips for Drivers of Hybrid Cars

Maintenance Tips for Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars tend to have long warranties. The Honda Insight comes with an 8 year/80,000 mile warranty that includes most of the powertrain, including batteries, and a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on the rest of the car. The Toyota Prius has an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty on the hybrid and battery systems, and a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on everything else.

Batteries and electric motors in these hybrid cars don't require any maintenance over the life of the vehicle. The gas engine doesn't require any more maintenance than the gas engine in a conventional vehicle. In hybrids with regenerative braking, the brake pads may last longer than those in other cars.

Battery systems in hybrid cars are pretty spendy with a several thousand dollar price tag. By the time the warranty expires though, that price may have decreased.

Gas Mileage Tips for Hybrid Cars

By using the same driving habits that result in better fuel efficiency in conventional vehicles, you will achieve better mileage in your hybrid vehicle as well.

Drive slower - The faster you drive, the greater the aerodynamic drag on the car. Drag force at 70 mph is nearly double that of drag at 50 mph. Going easy on the accelerator will increase your fuel economy significantly.

Maintain a constant speed - Accelerating uses energy. Some of this energy is wasted when you slow back down. Maintaining a constant speed makes the most efficient use of fuel.

Avoid stopping abruptly - The electric motor in hybrid cars acts like a generator, and uses some of the energy while slowing the vehicle. By giving the electric motor more time to slow the vehicle, it is able to recover more of the energy. By stopping abruptly, the brakes do most of the work in slowing the vehicle and that energy is wasted.

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The introduction of the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius in the 1990s marked the first true success of hybrid vehicle technology. Plug-in hybrid-electric cars were developed in the 2000s. The PHEVs can be recharged by plugging in to the electrical power grid, and for short trips can operate without conventional fuel. Renault released the firstr PHEV production model dubbed the Kangoo in 2003.

Since its release, the Prius has remained in high demand. Newer designs of hybrid automobiles are less expensive and look more like their conventional counterparts. The new hybrids often look and perform exactly as their gas-powered siblings, but deliver 50% better fuel efficiency. For instance, the Honda Civic Hybrid looks exactly like the gas version. But it gets 50 miles per gallon.

In 2004 the first hybrid SUV, the Ford Escape Hybrid was introduced. 2005 saw two new hybrid SUVs in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h. Within the coming decade, Toyota has plans to add hybrid drivetrains to each model of vehicle it produces. Honda has also released the Accord Hybrid, and Nissan is planning a hybrid model of the Altima.

Hybrid vehicle registrations in the United States rose 25.8% between 2002 and 2003. California has the most hybrid cars registered. Toyota sold 306,862 hybrids between 1997 and November 2004. Honda sold 81,867 hybrids between 1999 and November 2004.

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Hybrid vehicles are powered primarily by an internal combustion engine, just like conventional vehicles. However, they also convert energy normally wasted during braking and coasting into electricity. This energy is stored in a battery until it is needed by the electric motor. Internal combustion engines are least efficient in low-speed driving conditions, and when hill climbing or accelerating. This is where the electric motor kicks in, by assisting the gasoline engine in these low-efficiency situations. Some hybrids also shut the engine off automatically when the car comes to a stop, and restart it when the driver steps on the accelerator. This prevents further waste of energy by idling the engine when stopped. Unlike cars that are solely electric powered, hybrid vehicles do not have to be recharged by plugging them into an external electrical source. All the energy the vehicle needs is provided by conventional gasoline and regenerative braking.

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Due to the demand of having a vehicle wherein everyone can consume less fuel and will not contribute to the air pollution, the hybrid automobile was finally created to meet this end. And due to the rapid advancements in the gasoline engine, the hybrid car has become extremely popular.

A hybrid vehicle is a means of transportation using two power sources; it uses a rechargeable energy storage system found on board and a fueled power source as the vehicle's driving force. The hybrid automobile pollutes less and uses less fuel.

Back in 1899, Ferdinand Porsche developed and led the way to the very first working hybrid-electric vehicle. Other people followed suit in Ferdinand Porsche's invention. Many people who became interested in the hybrid-vehicle concept have been continually making hybrid automobiles. However, there was no major automobile manufacturer who invested in the hybrid concept and mass produced hybrid automobiles until the late twentieth century. The hybrid technology was mainly utilized in developing diesel-electric submarines during that interim period.

The diesel-electric submarines mainly operate very much the same as a hybrid automobile. However, the submarines main goal was to conserve oxygen rather than spend less fuel. During the later years, submarines have evolved and have begun using the nuclear power as a substitute for diesel.

During the 1990's, the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight were the first successful hybrid cars available in the market. It was two of the pioneers in the hybrid vehicle concept which virtually changed the way the world considers cars.

An idealistic inventor, Victor Wouk, manufactured a hybrid electric and gas motor car that siphoned fuel at half the amount as practically all the other cars being built then. He built the hybrid automobile thirty years before the Toyota Prius got the attention of the U.S. as an energy-anxious nation.

The account about the hybrid vehicle and its inventor, who died in May, 2005, at age 86, is unfamiliar among even the most avid fans of the growing hybrid vehicle association. In terms of hybrid automobile knowledge, it is in fact America that should have led all other countries. Wouk stated that the government program that he developed about hybrids was unknown to everyone.

Victor Wouk founded and sold two successful electric industrialized companies in the late 1940s and 50s and in 1962 he was approach by Russell Feldman, one of the founders of Motorola, who recognized the pollution from the car as one of the biggest problem of the environment and he wanted to discover the possible solutions with regards to this problem. But his experiment did not work much for the possible solution.

Having an idea, Wouk pondered the problem throughout the 60s and ultimately reached a clever solution. He combined the low-emission benefits of an electric vehicle with the power of a gasoline engine to produce a hybrid automobile. But Wouk didn't get any response to his ideas for creating a hybrid car; in fact he was heavily criticized for not believing in a full-electric system.

With the help of his colleague, Charlie Rosen, who shared his belief about hybrid cars, gave him the opportunity to prove his ideas of creating the hybrid automobile as one of the solution to the rapid health cost of auto-pollution. And now the impressive capabilities of the invention of Wouk, the hybrid cars, can now be a very great help in terms of less fuel consumption and less air pollution.

Wouk and Rosen put up a new company particularly to developed their hybrid automobile idea and make it possible to be in the market and be used as an everyday car that belched far less harmful vapors than contemporary automobiles.

The Prius

Ever since the Toyota Prius was released in the market, it has been able to remain as the premier choice of hybrid automobiles available. It is true that old hybrid vehicles looks more like an alien vehicle and cost far more than the conventional car. However, because of the latest technology installed in newer versions of hybrid vehicles, it looks more like a conventional vehicle and is far cheaper than its predecessors. It is a fact that hybrid vehicles this day looks very much like conventional vehicles. However, it will enable you to cut fuel consumption in half.

For example, the Honda Civic Hybrid vehicle looks very much like its conventional version. However, when you look at it closely, the hybrid version of the Civic is able to conserve fuel much superior than its gasoline counterpart. The Civic Hybrid can get you 50 miles in just one gallon of gasoline.

During the year 2004, Ford has developed and introduced the very first hybrid SUV, which is the Ford Escape Hybrid. A year later, Toyota also introduced their line of hybrid SUV called the Highlander Hybrid.

Because of the growing demand for hybrid vehicles, other automobile manufacturers are now following the footsteps of the other companies who already released a version of their hybrid automobile in the market. For example, Nissan is now planning to develop and introduce a hybrid version of the Nissan Altima.

Nowadays, over 300,000 hybrid cars are running on American roads wherein 95 percent of them are Japanese made. The hybrid automobiles are truly very different technology that can both save money and our environment.

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