Hybrids

 Generally, hybrids are any vehicles that use more than one source of power. This usually entails using a traditional gasoline engine as well as an electric battery or engine. The car can often switch between gas and electric mode as needed to save energy depending on the conditions, providing a much more efficient driving experience. (Full Disclosure: I drive a 2002 Toyota Prius Hybrid, one of the first hybrids to be sold in the U.S. The car’s mileage varies depending on who is driving it; I usually get more miles to the gallon than do my (hotrodding) kids. Overall, I average around 40-42 mpg driving in the city. My car easily gets over 50 mpg on the highway.)

  How do Plug-Ins Work?

 In a conventional hybrid vehicle, the car carries a battery pack that can be charged by additional components already carried within the vehicle. These could include electric generators, or power derived from actions like braking. For example, the car brakes; that braking energy is captured and stored in a battery pack as electricity; the stored electricity can assist the vehicle’s gasoline engine, usually giving it a boost during acceleration. The gasoline engine remains the primary source of power in a hybrid car.

 In a plug-in, the electric motor is the primary power source, with the gasoline engine providing back-up. Once the electric charge is depleted, the gasoline engine kicks in. A plug-in hybrid can be charged in any wall outlet, whether at your home or at a charging station. A plug-in’s additional battery power allows it to travel longer distances without the need to burn any gasoline. As a result, plug-ins are often more efficient than traditional hybrids.

Advantages of Plug-Ins

 The extra electric capacity of a plug-in hybrid means that its primary advantage is that it can cover greater distances than a regular hybrid without using a drop of gasoline. Burning no or little gasoline helps protect the environment by reducing the pollution that causes smog and climate change. Because electricity is cheaper than gasoline, a plug-in hybrid should also save you money at the pump. If you keep track of the latest plug-ins through sources like Car Sales, our sponsors for this post, you’ll see that many of the recent models like the Chevy Volt can travel in all-electric mode for an EPA-estimated 38 miles at a time. The Volt actually can cover up to 380 miles on the combined energy provided by a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas. (See my test drive of the Volt here.)

 Disadvantages of Plug-Ins

 Although you’ll save money driving a plug-in hybrid, they do cost more upfront. For example, the Ford C-Max Hybrid gets around 45 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the hwy, and costs around $21,000 USD. The Ford C-Max Energi Plug-in (pictured above) gets around 108 mpg in the city, and 92 mpg on the highway, but costs around seven thousand dollars more. One way to decide if the extra cost is worth it is to calculate how many miles you drive and how much money you’ll spend or save on gasoline by purchasing either vehicle.

 Plug-in hybrid batteries, which are lithium ion batteries, cost more to manufacture than regular hybrid batteries and need to be replaced more frequently, so that is another expense to calculate when considering your options. And remember: neither vehicle is fully electric, so you will still need to use gas from time to time, and take care of regular engine maintenance issues such as oil changes. Plug-ins are great for saving money around town, but if you’re planning a long-distance road trip or have a long commute, you’ll need to switch to gasoline mode, which means you’ll still be buying some gas.

 The Bottom Line

 Both hybrids and plug-in hybrids offer a wide range of advantages. They often come with outstanding mileage rates, and can save you money at the gas pump over time. Plus, they reduce air pollution and climate change, making them better for people as well as the planet. My suggestion is to go to a dealer who sells both hybrids and plug-ins. Take them both for a test drive, then do some calculations to figure out how much money and gas you’ll save with each vehicle. Choose the vehicle that best matches your desire to be a good green citizen as well as your pocketbook.

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 PHOTO CREDIT: Wikimedia Commons; Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz  

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NAIAS is showcasing what it calls the most recent advances in automotive technology at Detroit’s Cobo Center through January 24th.  Although NAIAS is featuring plenty of gas guzzlers, it is also highlighting dozens of electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient vehicles.  On the ground floor, a 37,000 sq. foot exhibit called the “Electric Avenue” has been devoted solely to electrics.

Here are the highlights:

Chevy Volt

Price: TBA estimated $30,000-$40,000

Production Begins: 2010

Although the Volt appeared as a concept car previously, Chevrolet’s much-hyped hybrid electric is on display in anticipation of its launch later this year.  Drivers can travel up to 40 miles per charge on the Volt’s electric battery before the car switches to gasoline, at which point the car can go up to an additional 600 miles without a refill.  Personally, I believe the Volt is a game-changer.  Why? Click here to see what I told Fox News.

Nissan LEAF

Price: TBA, estimated $25,000-$30,000

Production Begins: 2010

Unlike the Volt, the LEAF is greener because it’s an all-electric car with no gasoline back-up system.  However, this benefit doesn’t come without a tradeoff: it can only travel 100 miles on a single charge, making the LEAF better suited for local drives rather than long-distance road trips.

Tesla Model S

Price: $49,500

Production Begins: 2011

The Model S gives the consumer a choice of three battery options, providing driving ranges from 160 to 300 miles between charges.  While the hefty price tag may place the Tesla out of reach for many middle-class consumers (like me), if you’re already in the market for a Lexus, Mercedes, or even a very flashy Camry, get your name on the Tesla list instead.

Honda CR-Z Hybrid

Price: TBA, estimated $25,000

Production Begins: 2010

Honda finally unveiled the production version of this vehicle after debuting the concept design years ago.  Two different transmission options will be available: 6-speed manual or the more fuel-efficient Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).  However, the fuel economy is somewhat underwhelming even with CVT, topping out at 36 city/38 highway miles per gallon.

Toyota FT-CH

Price: TBA

Production Begins: TBA

As the next member of its hybrid vehicle “family,” Toyota showed off the FT-CH as a lower-priced alternative to the popular Prius.  Intended for younger consumers, the FT-CH is also lighter and more fuel-efficient than its big brother.  The price and date of availability are unknown because it debuted as a concept car. Stay tuned.

As excited as we are about the development of electric cars, their price is not for the faint of heart. Consumers who buy these cars right now are doing so because it’s a smart way to save gas, improve national security by way of consuming less oil, and help reduce air and water pollution. You may not be financially ready to order a Tesla yet, but George Clooney has. Thanks, George.

If you’re interested in checking out the NAIAS cars for yourself, view a schedule of upcoming auto shows here.

You can also review EPA’s list of most fuel efficient vehicles here.

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