DIY Network

A Hybrid-Vehicle Technology Primer Bruce Bonebrake reaveals some of the reasons why a hybrid vehicle may be in your future. From "Weekend Mechanic" episode WKM-404

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Wondering what the hybrid hype is all about? The proof is on the window.

Consumer Testimonials on Hybrid Vehicles

Brian and Robin:
"Right now probably the mileage [is] our biggest concern with gas prices the way they are?When we test-drove the hybrid, it had just as much torque, just as much pick up and that means a lot us?We're environmentalists at heart as well, so we would consider it for that reason because we know in the long run that's the way cars need to go to help save our environment."

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Teresa:
"As far as gas economy, anything that cuts costs at the pump is always good. In my previous job, I drove 120 miles round trip every day and [a hybrid] would have been an exceptional thing to have... I was really surprised [because] my perception was that you did have to plug [a hybrid] in. When I found out that wasn't true, that really piqued my interest. I'm involved in a couple of environmental groups locally and statewide, and I definitely think that is something we need to be looking at as a nation. Several years ago I remember seeing a TV program about electric cars and--being a child of the '60s--I really thought we'd be traveling in electric cars by now, sort of like the Jetson's. I really thought we would have gotten away from the gas."

Chris:
"Yeah, I've considered buying a hybrid just for the fact that I drive a lot, probably 200 miles a day on average. Gas prices are crazy and you've got to save money where you can. Good for the environment as well."

Manuel Villegas:
"I just took the hybrid for a test drive and it was a good experience. I like the way it handled and I like the way, when you come to a stop and put the brake on, it just like shuts off you don't hear anything, and by the time you're ready to give it gas, it's ready to go. It's got a little bit of torque to it and, it's a really cool car."

A Few Words About Hydrogen

In addition to gasoline-electric hybrid cars, alternative fuel vehicles such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are starting to appear on roads in the US.

Powered by an electric motor, a fuel cell vehicle gets its electricity from a fuel-cell stack instead of an internal-combustion engine. The fuel-cell stack actually derives it's energy from hydrogen which is combined with oxygen in order to generate electricity.

Some fuel cell vehicles produce only a small amount of pollutants, while pure hydrogen fuel-cell systems produce no pollutants directly--only water and heat.

With these and other technologies, the future looks bright for hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles--and for reducing air-polluting emissions, greenhouse gases and our nation's dependence on gasoline.

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