Hyundai has joined other car manufacturers in their bid to make fuel efficient, stylish and competitively priced hybrid cars for increasingly environmentally-conscious motorists. Hyundai first believed that diesel engines and not hybrid technology were more capable of saving fuel, but changed its mind after a meeting with Korean cabinet ministers on the subject.
Hyundai Catches Up With the Hybrid Trend
Toyota started the Hybrid trend when it released the Toyota Prius. Honda followed when it introduced Honda Insight to the American and Canadian markets and the Honda Hybrid in 2002.
Hybrid Process
Hybrid cars are the latest innovation in car technology. It has two power sources – the gas engine and the battery. A hybrid car can either be a full hybrid, where the car is mainly run by electric motor; or the more common assisted hybrid where the gas engine is supported by the battery.
Hybrid cars tend to have smaller engines which consume less fuel. All of the engine’s associated parts also decrease in size and weight. For example, the piston is lighter and uses less energy in its movements.
Advantages of Hybrid Cars
Apart from being energy and fuel-efficient, hybrid cars release less carbon dioxide to the environment, decreasing pollution and global warming.
Maintenance of hybrid cars can be less frequent than conventional cars. Their motor and batteries do not require special attention due to less levels of carbon dioxide produced. Brake pads are not as frequently used in hybrid cars making them last longer than a conventional car’s brake pads.
In the US, tax credits are granted to hybrid car buyers and manufacturers as a form of government support towards a cleaner environment.
Hyundai hybrids
Accent Hyundai is Hyundai’s first hybrid model promising 44% fuel economy. It has a 1.4L engine with 90 horsepower and an additional 16-hp electric motor. It was first introduced at the Guangzhou International exhibition in 2006.
Rio Hyundai is Accent Hyundai’s twin and is still under development. It will be released at the same time as Accent Hyundai. A sample of this car was already showcased at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show.
