Increasing fuel prices is conferring a tough time to everyone. But car manufacturers have come up with a best solution to rise above this problem. Most of the auto manufacturers are turning their vehicles 'green' by undulating out hybrid cars. The increasing fuel price in a way has helped the world to grow green.
Fitted with dual engine configuration, hybrid cars contain both petrol and an electric engine that compliments each other at different levels of speed throughout the journey. When the speed rises, the petrol pushes the car and electric motor kicks in performing as a generator that charges the electric battery in the car as the car slows down.
Not mentioning about electric cars when speaking about hybrid cars would probably be unfair. The sales rate of electric cars has also increased. An electric car uses electric motors and motor controllers for impulsion, in place of more general propulsion methods such as the internal combustion engine (ICE). Electric cars are a particular variety of electric vehicle created or customized for use on the road.
They are usually powered by on-board battery packs, and as such are battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Other on-board energy storage techniques that are anticipated to come into use in the future include ultra capacitors, fuel cells, and a spinning flywheel which stores kinetic energy.
Well, what about the honors being given for these cars? The Green Car of the Year award honors environmental leadership in auto industry and identifies the vehicles that are readily accessible by the consumers. This is an award that is being given analysis done by the editors of The Green Car Journal. The editors appraise the most environmentally positive vehicles in the industry and narrow down the list to five. The top five finalists for 2010 are:
1. Audi A3 TDI (EPA rated fuel economy 30/42 mpg)
2. Honda Insight (EPA rated fuel economy 40/43 mpg)
3. Mercury Milan Hybrid (EPA rated fuel economy 41/36 mpg)
4. Toyota Prius (EPA rated fuel economy 51/48 mpg)
5. Volkswagen Golf TDI (EPA rated fuel economy 30/42 mpg)
When compared to last year the automakers have come forward with new designs that are more diverse and innovative. They offer better environmental performance than ever before. The number of consumers that opt for hybrid and electric cars have increased and are expected to increase further.
What makes the consumers to buy green cars are its fuel efficiency, reduced air pollution emissions, and its economical benefits. Most of the countries offer tax rebates for owning a hybrid car, an electric car or any other car that produces less emission or zero emission.
At present the auto industry which is facing the crisis has a big hope on these cars. Almost all manufactures have started producing green cars and have also requested to increase the tax rebates given for owning such vehicles, in order to encourage the consumers for growing green. Especially countries like USA have planned to bring in millions of plug-in cars by 2015.
The green cars being a bit expensive will definitely give tough competition to the petrol version cars.
Miguel Covarrubias is an author for Car Shipping. He has written various articles on Auto Transport.