A hybrid car is one that runs
on more than one type of energy. However, most of the commercially
viable and available models of hybrid cars run on conventional fuels
i.e. gasoline (or petrol), diesel or ethanol and electric power (from
rechargeable batteries). But that's not all about hybrid cars. Below is
a list of several fun facts about hybrid cars.
1. The first hybrid car was actually manufactured way back in the year
1902 and was named 'Mixte' by its manufacturer Ferdinand Porsche.
2. The first commercially viable hybrid car was manufactured by Toyota.
They named it 'Prius' and made it available to the public in the year
1997. 3. The mileage of a hybrid car varies between 50-60 miles per
gallon of gasoline. This makes these cars very economical in the long
run as they use only a third of the gasoline that any other purely
gasoline powered car would consume.
4. Hybrid cars are free from the hassle of frequent plug in. The cars
batteries keep getting charged while you drive them.
5. Hybrid cars give far greater value for money. Their depreciation
rates are far lower as compared to the conventional fuel based cars.
This has also helped increase the demand for hybrid cars.
6. In order to promote the use of hybrid cars the US government has
started offering attractive tax rebates to those who buy and use hybrid
cars.
7. The parts of hybrid cars often cost more than the parts that are
used in gasoline or diesel powered cars. However, most of the parts of
hybrid cars come with a lifetime replacement warranty making them cost
effective in the long run.
8. It is often said that a car is worth only half its price one year
from the date of purchase but the resale value of hybrid cars is
excellent. They easily sell at 75-85% of the purchase price even after
a year of purchase.
9. Hybrid cars initially were not given much importance as the price of
petroleum wasn't much. However, ever since oil producing nations
started hiking price of petroleum the automobile manufacturers and
parts manufacturers spent a lot of money on development of hybrid cars.
It is estimated that more than 5 billion dollars have been spent since
the early 90's.
10. Hybrid cars are really quiet during operation as they run on
battery power most of the times. 11. Hybrid cars have the highest
mileage in all of mid size and two seater cars.
12. More than 80000 hybrid cars were sold in the US in 2004 and the
number increased to 250,000 in the year 2006.
13. Hybrid cars can run as fast as any other car and their top speeds
can give even the most expensive and fastest cars a run for their
money.

No Comments.
Discuss this item on the forums. (0 posts)