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Learning about eco-friendly cars

One of the most important things these days is to take responsibility for our impact on the planet. Luckily humans are finally beginning to realise the effects they are having on the environment and are taking steps to address the problems they are causing. Driving cars has been a big source of CO2 emissions over the years but these days are coming to an end. The increase in popularity of eco-friendly cars is evident by the fact that since the launch of the first Honda Insight, the first mass produced hybrid vehicle, 800,000 of them have been sold.

Hybrid cars

These cars use two power sources to move themselves, petrol and electricity. Some of the best low emission cars give you greater fuel economy and lower emissions than the standard type of car engine. They are quiet and the driving is smooth. The batteries are rechargeable, but you can still fill up at a regular petrol station if you are not in a position to charge your car. Your efficiency can increase by up to 50% and you will not need to worry about when to use the gas and when to run off the electricity as there is an onboard computer that will do all this for you.

To understand a bit more about how they work may get you more comfortable with the idea of a hybrid car. In simple terms the engine gets some help with acceleration from the motor, meaning that a smaller and more efficient engine can be used. The engine and the motor convert fuel into energy which is then stored in the battery for use at a later time. A special braking mechanism known as regenerative braking also helps convert energy into electricity to be stored in the battery. When the car is going slowly, or is at a standstill, the battery takes over and the engine is no longer in use.

Technology

There are lots happening in the industry of car technology to help reduce harm to the environment from occurring. Honda has developed the i-VTEC system featured in models such as the Civic ES. This is a system which improves the efficiency of engines. Though the hybrid car is the most commonly used of the new generation of cars sporting the latest in green automobile technology, there are other options in use and being developed like biodiesel.

Alternative propulsion is the main measure taken by manufacturers like Honda to make green cars. However this brand is at the forefront of creating alternative ways to reduce a cars oil guzzling tendencies. They have carried out fuel cell pilot programmes which involve using hydrogen to power vehicles and are due to start experimenting with applying this innovative technology to mass market cars in the near future. This is great as hydrogen is one of the planet's most abundant elements in contrast to oil which we are all too is only available in limited quanitities.