Tài liệu HYBRID TECHNOLOGY: doc

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HYBRID TECHNOLOGY:

THE BENEFITS OF SWITCHING TO A HYBRID VEHICLE








Prepared for

Prof. Robert Marino
School of Management
Nazareth College of Rochester









Prepared by

Justin Dittmar

Jenna Santucci
Andy Dobrowski
Nazareth College of Rochester

November 19, 2004
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MEMO


TO: Prof. Robert Marino

FROM: Justin Dittmar, Jenna Santucci, Andrew Dobrowski

SUBJECT: Hybrid Technology

DATE: November 19, 2004


21
st
century transportation is not just a vision for the future—it is here today. Clean, fuel-
efficient hybrid vehicles are now available, joining the alternatively fueled vehicles
already on the road. With every passing year, the ranks of hybrid powered vehicles on
the roads in America are bolstered, therefore making this a very viable and important
topic for automobile users to be knowledgeable about.

This report seeks to use the history of hybrids, technology of their working mechanisms,
and comparisons of available models to determine consumer benefits. Specifically, these
benefits include increased fuel-efficiency, environmental advantages, and long-term
financial benefits.

Ultimately, purchasing a slightly higher-priced hybrid will reimburse the consumer
through fuel-efficiency and financial incentives from the federal and state government,
as well as securing a healthy environment for future generations.

We enjoyed working on this project, as tedious as some portions became. Hybrid
technology was a general interest of the group, and having the opportunity to further
examine the topic and present our findings to a group is has been a great experience.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


HYBRID TECHNOLOGY:

THE BENEFITS OF SWITCHING TO A HYBRID VEHICLE

Justin Dittmar
Jenna Santucci
Andy Dobrowski
November 19, 2004



The emergence of hybrid technology shows not only the drive and ingenuity of the
automobile industry, but also the realization of the growing costs associated with fuel
consumption. However, while the American public is well aware of these concerns, very
few have moved to hybrid technology for their automobiles, and in many cases, continue
to purchase large, bulky sport utility vehicles, which burn gasoline at an accelerated rate.
This is mainly due to indifference and ignorance of the alternatives to fully gasoline
powered vehicles, which still dominate the automobile market.

The reduction of fuel consumption through the use of gasoline and electric hybrid
vehicles is evident through the decreased annual fuel costs and increased mileage per
gallon of gasoline used by hybrid vehicles. Annual fuel costs range between $450 and
$650 for hybrid vehicles, a product of these vehicles getting upwards of 60-70 miles per
gallon. Emissions from fossil-fuel burning vehicles are destroying our environment.
Hybrid vehicles reduce emissions by a considerable amount, such as in the case of the
Ford Escape Hybrid, which boasts a reduction of 97 percent of total hydrocarbons and
oxides of nitrogen emissions relative to other non-hybrid vehicles that meet today’s
required emissions standards.

To this end, we feel that it is important that American motorists, especially the younger
generations, understand not only the technology that drives hybrid vehicles, but also the
benefits of reducing fossil fuel usage. We feel that people should consider purchasing
hybrid or other kinds of fuel efficient vehicles to help ease the gasoline reliance of the
United States and reduce the harmful impacts of fuel consumption. Through this report,
we intend to not only persuade, but to inform, yourself and others about the importance
of your choices on our environment, economy, and society.
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CONTENTS


INTRODUCTION…………………….…………………………………………………

Hybrid History……………… ………………………………………………… 1
Purpose and Scope……………………………………………………………… 2


BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………… …

How Hybrid Technology Works………………………………………………… 2
Repair and Maintenance of Hybrid Vehicles…… ………………………………3
Comparison of Some Available Models………………………………… ………3


BENEFITS………………………………………………………………………………

Reduced Fuel Consumption/Environmental Benefits…………………………… 6
Long-term Financial Benefits…………………………………………………… 7


OPINION……………………………………………………………………………… …

Interview with 2001 Toyota Prius Owner…………………………………………8

CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………

Conclusion and Recommendation ……………………………………………… 8


APPENDIX…………………………………………………………………………… …

A. Interview Outline………… …………………………… ………………….9
B. Photographs… …………………………………………………………… 10
C. Bibliography……………………………………………………………… 11

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HYBRID TECHNOLOGY:

THE BENEFITS OF SWITCHING TO A HYBRID VEHICLE

HYBRID HISTORY

With the advent of increased awareness of environmental concerns, along with the
importance of fossil-fuel conservation, many alternatively powered vehicles have been
launched on the American car market. Technology is constantly progressing to achieve
breakthroughs with alternative fuel sources
such as methanol, ethanol, compressed natural
gas, and electric (Sparrow model pictured)
promising to be “cleaner” than gasoline
(producing fewer pollutants). These options,
although an improvement from conventional
gasoline, are unrealistic because they require a
difficult modification of fuel storage and
delivery systems. Other contenders for
alternative fuel are electric power from
hydrogen (a hydrogen fuel from water), and
fuel cells (“stacks” of electricity used to refuel
vehicles at “catalyst refilling stations”),
although these options are impractical because
storage-battery technology is still in progress.
Most commonly, consumers are presented
with the increasingly popular and most
practical hybrid vehicle—the happy medium between electric vehicles and fuel-powered
vehicles. It is the most attractive choice thus far because of practicality of resources.
This vehicle combines a small internal-combustion engine with an electric motor to run
with maximum power and minimum emissions, while also conserving fuel.

First Construction of a Hybrid Vehicle

Hybrid technology originated with diesel-electric locomotives and submarines in
the early twentieth century. Submarines used diesel to operate and charge a battery
above water. However, under water, this was not possible (diesel needs oxygen to
operate). Therefore, the fully-charged battery was essential for use under water.
Although diesel is not the common choice for engines in present-day hybrid vehicles,
hybrid and diesel-electric systems operate in essentially the same manner; these systems
have a dependence on both an electric motor and a fuel-powered engine. Ferdinand
Porsche engineered the first successful hybrid car in 1928, and soon after many hobbyists
constructed hybrid vehicles. Production in the major automotive companies, however,
did not develop until recent years. Hybrids are not as uncommon as one would think; any
vehicle that combines two or more sources of power that can directly or indirectly
provide propulsion power is a hybrid.
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The Resurfacing of Technologically Advanced Hybrid

The American car market was technically saturated by 1990, when the average
American household owned one car for each of its licensed drivers. However,
Americans’ desire for luxury kept them buying more vehicles, bigger vehicles. One
example includes the explosion of the sports utility vehicle craze. American automakers
marketed the SUV to sporty “urbanites” and safety-conscious families. In reality, the
SUV has been known to tip over, “gasoline-guzzle,” and be exempt from conventional
car fuel economy standards because of its classification as a “light truck.” Although they
have an average fuel efficiency of 20 percent less than the average passenger car, SUV
sales have doubled between the years 1995-2001. These statistics show the concern for
air pollutant reduction and the need to conserve gasoline furthering the development of
the conventional hybrid vehicle, as well as the new SUV hybrid. In fact, the increased
awareness is proved in results such as in a R.L. Polk & Co. Survey of 2003 automobiles
showed that hybrid car registrations in the US rose to 43,435 automobiles, a 25.8 increase

from 2002 numbers.
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There are various types of hybrids available today, but Honda and Toyota were
the first major automobile companies to manufacture hybrids. They proposed the Toyota
Prius and the Honda Insight, first released in 1998. Newer designs have had decreased
price tags yet perform comparably to their non-hybrid counterparts. For example, the
new Honda Civic Hybrid appears identical to the non-hybrid, except it has up to a 50
percent increase in fuel efficiency. The redesigned 2004 Toyota Prius has improved
passenger room, cargo area, and continues to increase in energy efficiency. The 2004-
2005 Ford Escape, the first hybrid SUV, shows the increased American trend to follow
the hybrid lead.
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Purpose and Scope

In order to assure that others are well informed about hybrid technology, this
report has been designed to discuss history, technical details, model specifications, and
showcase benefits for consumers. This report, assigned by Prof. Robert Marino, requires
us to not only provide the information necessary to make an informed decision and take a
stance on our topic, but also to persuade. This is achieved in this report through graphs,
specific details, dozens of Internet and text sources, as well as a first-hand account of a
consumer’s positive experience with their hybrid vehicle purchase. Careful examination
of the findings and assertions within this report will allow the reader to take their own
positive stance on hybrid technology.

How Hybrid Technology Works

When most people hear the words “hybrid” and “vehicle” in the same sentence,

they tend to think of a car that has to be plugged into a wall to recharge in order to be
used. Others have the idea that hybrid vehicles do not perform at the same level as non-
hybrid vehicles, and lack many of today’s available options, such as size, power and
model variety. In order to make an informed decision about purchasing a hybrid vehicle,
one must understand how hybrid technology works. A hybrid vehicle is essentially a
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vehicle that combines two or more sources of power. There are examples of this type of
technology outside of the consumer automobile market. For example, many types of
trains, buses, and submarines have been using hybrid technology for years in order to
provide a much cheaper alternative to relying on the internal-combustion engine. Hybrid
vehicles that have been introduced to the American consumers in the past few years all
use gasoline-electric systems that utilize a gasoline powered engine along with an electric
motor to propel the vehicle. Hybrid vehicles use a standard twelve-volt battery that
powers the basic car accessories, such as the radio, clock, and power locks and windows.
The battery pack that powers the car runs on a voltage system that can have anywhere
from 140-275 volts.
There are basically two types of systems available in today’s hybrids: parallel and
series. “A parallel hybrid allows for both the engine and the battery pack to work at the
same time, while a series hybrid uses the gasoline engine to either charge the vehicles
battery or the electric motor, however the gasoline engine never directly powers the
vehicle”(1). The first hybrids introduced in 1998 utilized the parallel hybrid system. The
Honda Insight is one of the vehicles that use the parallel system to power the car. Since
the Insight cannot run solely on the electric motor itself, the car must rely on the internal-
combustion engine. The electric motor is used to provide extra power during
acceleration, utilize regenerative braking, increase torque, and to start the vehicle’s
gasoline engine. By allowing the electric motor to start the car and provide most of the
needed power during acceleration or heavy load situations, the amount of gasoline
consumed is drastically reduced, as well as a reduction in harmful emissions. The Toyota
Prius also uses the parallel technology, though the Prius differs from the Insight because
it only uses the gasoline engine at speeds over 40 miles per hour. This means the

gasoline engine is shut off when the car is stopped or idle, as it operates with virtually no
gasoline and produces few emissions at speeds under 40 miles an hour. The Prius came
out several months later than the Insight, and focuses more on using the electric motor as
a low speed power source, rather than using it primarily to assist the gasoline powered
engine. In the case of both vehicles, one of the most interesting features is the hybrid’s
ability to recover electrical energy from braking. This energy is used to recharge the
vehicle’s batteries that power the electric motor. This technology is called “regenerative
braking”. In this situation, the hybrid uses the vehicle’s electric motor to slow the speed
of the car, rather than solely depending on the vehicle’s brakes. The electric motor then
generates power, replenishing batteries. Therefore, there is never the need to plug in or
recharge a parallel series hybrid.

REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF HYBRID VEHICLES

Routine Maintenance
Surprisingly, there are many similarities between a hybrid car and a conventional
car. Routine maintenance can be easily completed through a local garage. After all, the
hybrid has tires, brakes, shocks, suspension, an exhaust system, doors, and headlights—
just as an ordinary vehicle does.
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They are also just as safe as conventional vehicles;
the majority of hybrid vehicles are small, quick, nimble, and rank high in safety for their
weight class. In addition, SUV hybrids will probably have the same safety issues as
conventional SUV’s.
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Custom Maintenance

An alternatively powered vehicle requires a new and different engine-
management system that balances the demands of the internal-combustion engine and

battery motor. So, it is understandable that there is the common misconception that there
is a high probability of having to replace the batteries. In fact, the battery of a hybrid
vehicle is long lasting and designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle, somewhere
between 150,000 and 250,000 miles. According to Toyota, since the Prius first went on
sale in the United States in 2000, they have not replaced a single battery for wear and
tear. If the battery should expire, the warranty covers the battery between eight and ten
years, depending on the maker. Another common misconception is that private
mechanics do not have the adequate resources to service hybrids. In fact, hybrids are
actually easier to maintain than conventional vehicles because their electric motor is a
simpler system, a system with less moving parts, therefore less components prone to
breakage. While it is true that some custom maintenance is required, by the time the
current hybrid warranty expires, the classes that are being taught in numerous states will
help ensure that maintenance service workers will meet the current demands of
consumers who own hybrid vehicles.

Comparison of Some Available Models

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius, first introduced in Japan in 1988, has been sold in the American
car market since 2000. One of the very first hybrid vehicles to be publicly available in
the United States, this 4-door, 5-seat sedan is still recognized as a standard for small,
fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. The Prius contains a 70 horsepower, 1.5 liter, four-
cylinder gasoline burning engine, which works in conjunction with a 44 horsepower
electric motor. Unlike its Honda counterparts, the Prius runs primarily from the electric
motor, allowing for a heavier car which can run at the same low fuel efficiency. The
Prius weighs approximately 2,765 pounds, and can carry a payload of 800 pounds. This
model comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) standard. This is an
obvious advantage, as in most automatic transmission vehicles gasoline efficiency is
lower than with a user-controlled manual gearshift. However, the Prius is able to provide

fuel efficiency and convenience in the form of automatic transmission standard. In fact,
the fuel efficiency of the Prius is so good, the vehicle gets upwards of 60 miles per gallon
(mpg) during city driving, plus 51 mpg for highway driving. The decrease in fuel
efficiency at high speeds is due to the drag coefficient, something Toyota’s main
competitor, Honda, does account for more adequately. Early models of the Toyota Prius
had a 0 to 60 mph acceleration of nearly 12 seconds, showcasing the car’s lack of
acceleration and power. With the newest 2004 Prius model, however, acceleration time
has been decreased to 10 seconds, and the Prius now performs better at achieving high
speeds quickly. The base cost of the Toyota Prius is $19,995, with extra features pushing
the price of the car upwards of $25,000. The Prius has been modified, upgraded, and
evolved for over seven years, and the newest models of the Prius show some of the best
performance and craftsmanship available for hybrid vehicles.
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Honda Insight

The Honda Insight is one of two models of hybrid vehicles available from Honda,
pairing with the Civic Hybrid. A 3-door, 2-seat coupe, the Insight is not a family car.
Having Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist power system standard on every Insight, a small
gasoline engine is coupled with a small electric motor/generator combination. The
gasoline motor is a 67 horsepower, 1.0 liter, 3-cylinder engine, which serves as the
primary motor in the vehicle. Unlike Toyota, Honda develops their hybrid vehicles to be
lighter and use the gasoline powered engine as the primary engine, with the electric
motor as a supplement. The electric motor in the Insight is a 10 kW motor/generator that
produces 13 horsepower. Also unlike Toyota, the Honda Insight comes standard with a 5
speed manual transmission, though starting with the 2001 model, was also available with
a continuously variable transmission as an option. The major advantage of the Insight
over other hybrid vehicles in fuel efficiency is its low drag coefficient. With a drag
coefficient of a mere .25, the Insight requires 30 percent less power than a conventional
automobile at highway speeds. In addition, the Insight is extremely lightweight. Made

of primarily aluminum, plastic, and magnesium, the Insight weighs just 1,847 pounds,
which is 40 percent lighter than comparable steel-bodies vehicles. A drawback of this
construction is that the Insight can only handle a payload of 365 pounds, which in some
cases may not even be enough to accommodate two occupants. The Insight is more fuel-
efficient than its Toyota counterpart, getting highs of 68 mpg at highway speeds, as well
as 61 mpg for city driving. This means the Insight can run approximately 690 miles on a
full tank of gasoline. The acceleration of the Insight, much like the Prius, has improved
over the years, and currently the Insight can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in
approximately 10.5 seconds. The base cost of the Honda Insight is $19,235, with extra
features pushing the price of the car upwards of $21,280. While the Insight is quite
possibly the most fuel efficient publicly available hybrid vehicle in the United States, it
lacks performance and payload, limiting its potential use and consumer market.

Ford Escape Hybrid

The Ford Escape Hybrid is a brand-new model of hybrid vehicle, and the first
such vehicle distributed by a Detroit automobile manufacturer. The Escape Hybrid, a
fuel efficient version of Ford’s popular Ford Escape sport utility vehicle (SUV), is one of
the best performing hybrid vehicles on the market. Ford claims that the performance and
acceleration of the Escape Hybrid will match that of its standard V6 model, a claim that
most reviews have, at least in part, agreed with. Combining a 2.3 liter four-cylinder
gasoline engine with a 28 kW generator, a 65 kW permanent-magnet electric motor, and
a 300-volt battery pack, the Escape Hybrid is loaded with power. All of these different
components allow for the first truly “full hybrid” vehicle produced by Japanese or
American manufacturers. This means that the Escape Hybrid can run without the
gasoline motor running at all. In fact, the Escape Hybrid can run up to 25 mph without
consuming any gasoline. Ford has estimated that the Escape Hybrid can run on electric
approximately 40 percent of the time during bumper-to-bumper traffic. This heavy
reliance on electric power significantly decreases harmful emissions from the Escape
Hybrid. This SUV produces 97 percent less hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen than

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other vehicles meeting today’s required emissions standards. Plus, it produces as little as
half of the carbon dioxide as conventional vehicles. While the electric motor does
decrease dependence on fuel, the overall size of the vehicle and the relatively large
gasoline engine does hurt its fuel economy. For city driving, the Escape Hybrid averages
35 to 40 mpg. In conjunction with the 30 mpg it averages at highway speeds, the overall
average for fuel consumption is 27 mpg, or about 500 miles on a full tank of gasoline.
Despite the environmental and performance advantages of the Escape Hybrid, some of
the more intriguing characteristics of the SUV are its look and options. Unlike other
hybrids, which tend to have a curvy and “futuristic” look, the Escape Hybrid model looks
almost identical to the standard V6 Escape model. In addition, the Escape Hybrid comes
with a four-wheel-drive option, allowing customers to use the power and control of a
four-wheel-drive transmission in a fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle. The Escape Hybrid also
has the ability to haul large loads; at a tow rating of 1,000 pounds, the Escape Hybrid is
more of a work vehicle than any other car, truck, or SUV in the hybrid class. The few
drawbacks to this model are its relative low fuel efficiency for a hybrid vehicle, loss of
cargo room from the V6 model (a loss of 6%), and increased weight (increase of 325
pounds). As the lone American manufacturer to produce a hybrid vehicle as of the 2005
model year, Ford has created to sound alternative to the traditional SUV with the Escape
Hybrid. At a starting price tag of $19,000 (which can climb to $27,000 with options), the
Escape Hybrid is a powerful, efficient, and low-cost alternative to the traditional SUV.

Some Upcoming Models

2005 Saturn Vue Hybrid (pictured)
2005 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2005 Lexus RX400h

Both the Highlander and RX400h will share the
same size gasoline engine as their non-hybrid models;
each will be equipped with a 3.3 liter six-cylinder

engine that will produce 270 horsepower. The fuel
economy on these models should be approximately
27.6 mpg, as well as a range of 600 miles to a full tank
of gasoline. As with the Escape Hybrid, four-wheel-drive will be an option, however in
the four-wheel-vehicles, two electric motors will be employed to handle the extra power
drain.

2006 Chevrolet Equinox
2007 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

The Mariner Hybrid will be a small SUV with a design based on a sedan. With
that in mind, the drive should be smoother and cargo room decreased from Ford’s other
standard SUV models. On a full tank of gasoline, the Mariner Hybrid should get about
500 miles, or about 40 mpg. Like Ford’s first hybrid SUV, the Escape Hybrid, the
Mariner Hybrid will be a full hybrid, running only the electric or the gasoline motor at
any one time.

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Reduced Fuel Consumption/Environmental Benefits

What consumers seem most interested in is the hybrid’s ability to reduce fuel
consumption, as well as the reduction of many of the harmful toxins that continue to
contribute to smog and pollution. As recently as November 13, 2004, the average
national gasoline price has been recorded at approximately $2.05 per gallon. “More and
more motorists who once relished hopping into their SUV’s seven or eight times a
weekend are cramming their errands into one or two trips.”(2) While the cost of gasoline
is beginning to hurt the pockets of many people, others are starting to notice that the
current hybrids get anywhere from 50-60 miles per gallon. The estimated annual fuel
cost to operate a hybrid vehicle is in the $450-$650 range, a drastic drop-off from, for

example, a Jeep SUV, which has an annual fuel
cost of $1,155. While the cost of gasoline
continues to rise, hybrid manufacturers predict
steadily increasing sales, along with many
more car manufacturers introducing hybrid
models. This may a solution to saving the
American consumer some money.
Another major concern is the increasing
amounts of pollution that our country is trying
to control. With the increase of emissions
testing during state car inspections, the
government is really beginning to look at what
car manufacturers can do to limit pollution.
Because traditionally fueled vehicles burn twice as much gasoline per mile than hybrid
vehicles, twice as much pollution is put into the
atmosphere. Even though hybrid vehicles still
use a gasoline powered engine during most
driving situations, because the vehicles have two
power sources, they are able to use a much
smaller (and more efficient) gasoline engine.
What this all adds up to is a reduction of smog
pollution by as much as 90 percent, while still
meeting all of the emissions requirements of a
traditional automobile.

Long-term Financial Benefits

Although hybrids generally cost approximately $3,000-$5,000 more than a conventional
automobile within the same class at suggested retail price, there are numerous financial
benefits gained by purchasing a hybrid vehicle. This initial cost can be reimbursed

through incentives such as decreased fuel costs and government deductions.

Increased Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency in a hybrid can be explained through the differences in the braking
mechanism. In a hybrid, the act of braking captures kinetic energy to be used to propel
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the vehicle, not waste it as heat, as is the case in a conventional automobile. An example
of comparing gasoline costs in a hybrid and a conventional vehicle can be shown in the
following scenario: if a person drives an average of 15,000 miles a year, and the gasoline
price is $2.00 per gallon, yearly fuel expenses with a conventional Civic LX will cost
approximately $938.00. The Civic Hybrid will compare at $652.00. After five years of
high-fuel prices, the consumer saves $1,430 with a hybrid. After ten years, the consumer
would save about $2,860.

Federal and State Incentives

In addition to increased fuel efficiency, financial benefits can be attained through
government programs, which provide incentives to environmentally-aware American
hybrid owners. Federal taxes will be decreased according to one’s tax bracket.
Presently, consumers purchasing a new Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, or Toyota
Prius by the end of 2005 are eligible for a "Clean-Fuel" vehicle tax deduction of up to
$2,000. Ford believes its new Escape Hybrid will also be eligible under these guidelines.
Several states have enacted tax breaks for hybrid drivers, and others are considering
them. The most tax credits, deductions, and exemptions are available in California, New
York, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington. In Maryland, for example, buyers of
hybrid vehicles may qualify for a tax credit of up to $1,500. New York gives tax credit
of up to $2,000. There are also additional programs in place to help private companies in
New York City purchase hybrid vehicles. Several states also permit solo drivers of hybrid
vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes during specified hours.

Interview with 2001 Toyota Prius Owner

Charles Dittmar, a current 2001 Toyota Prius, provided a unique perspective on
the benefits of hybrid technology through an informal interview, as he has owned and
operated his Toyota Prius for over three years to this point. Mr. Dittmar originally started
mulling the idea of purchasing a hybrid vehicle because he was intrigued by the complex
nature of hybrid technology, as well as the environmental benefits this technology
provides, something that is very important to him. He ultimately purchase the Prius
because of its smooth ride, small size, and the fact that he felt, in the long run, the slightly
higher purchase price (comparable to conventional automobiles in the same class) would
be negated by savings in fuel consumption. He has found on average that he drives
approximately 45 mpg on average in the Prius. Mr. Dittmar also stated that the Prius has
been very reliable, and the one major repair (replacing the main computer board) that
needed to be done, was covered by a warranty. Overall, Mr. Dittmar has been very
impressed and very pleased with the performance of the 2001 Toyota Prius. Before his
automobile purchase, he researched and understood hybrid technology and was therefore
able to make an intelligent decision regarding his automobile purchase, one that he is
very satisfied with in the Toyota Prius.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Hybrid technology is necessary for the preservation of our natural fuel resources, as well
as the preservation of our environment in general. As an added incentive, lower fuel
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consumption not only benefits our environment, but also eases the financial burden on
motorists, and helps to ease our reliance on fossil fuels. While the switch to more fuel
efficient vehicles will be slow, educated consumers will be able to make intelligent
decisions in regards to whether or not they should purchase a hybrid vehicle. The facts

are clear: hybrid vehicles get better fuel economy, produce up to 90 percent fewer
emissions, can provide comparable power and features, as well as be sleek and stylish.
For the average consumer, purchasing a hybrid vehicle should be viewed as a long-term
investment. As hybrid vehicles are generally more expensive to comparable automobiles
in the same class, it is important to see the benefits that will come as the vehicle is used
over time: reduced fuel costs, warranty coverage for many parts, as well as federal and
state financial incentives. So, for your next vehicle purchase, consider a hybrid vehicle,
as hybrid technology will continue to develop as a driving force in the American
automobile market for many years to come.

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APPENDIX A

Form for Interview with Hybrid Vehicle Owner

1. What model of hybrid vehicle do you own?



2. Why did you originally consider purchasing a hybrid vehicle?






3. Why did you ultimately purchase hybrid vehicle over a traditional fossil fuel vehicle?

4. Are repairs for you hybrid, on average, more costly than on other vehicles you have
owned? What options are available as far as where to have your car serviced?






5. What kind of cost-savings have you noticed since you started driving your hybrid?





6. What do you know about how hybrid technology works?






7. Overall, how pleased/displeased are you with your purchase of a hybrid vehicle?
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APPENDIX B
Photographs/Diagrams

2005 Ford Escape Hybrid





2004 Toyota Prius





2004 Honda Insight

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Hybrid System Diagrams and Photographs



Under the Hood of a Toyota Prius Major Components of a Hybrid Vehicle





Honda Insight Engine Toyota Prius Engine

Honda Insight Gasoline Engine with Electric Permanent Magnet Motor

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