Hybrid Myths
Gas-electric hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular. Toyota still has waiting lists for the ground-breaking Prius and other car makers are trying to get in the game fast. Nissan is set to introduce a hybrid Altima in the coming model year, and GM is even planning on introducing hybrid SUVs (as in take-all-your-Mormon-kids-to-the-trampoline-store Tahoe/Suburbans as well as a hybrid Saturn Vue "Green Line").
It seems that there are two schools of thought with hybrid cars: 1) use hybrid technology to get maximum mileage (as in the Prius), or 2) use the electric motor, and the accompanying deep reserves of instant-on torque, to boost performance (as in the Accord hybrid or several other Toyota/Lexus applications like the Highlander or upcoming Lexus GS450h). There may be a third take as well, which is somewhere in the middle. This is the most sensible approach. The new Camry, for all it's creamy bland center goodness, will offer a hybrid model slotting between the base 4 banger and V6 models in both performance and price. Genius.
With all of the options and approachs discussed above, it is not hard to see how folks are confused (and we have not even started talking about the cost/benefit analysis). I have heard misguided discussion around my office hallways talking about battery explosions, longevity, and EMT personnel not being able to rescue individuals trapped in a hybrid car. BusinessWeek does a pretty good job of revealing the Top Ten Hybrid Myths. They hit all the major points, even if a couple are pretty obvious.
It seems that there are two schools of thought with hybrid cars: 1) use hybrid technology to get maximum mileage (as in the Prius), or 2) use the electric motor, and the accompanying deep reserves of instant-on torque, to boost performance (as in the Accord hybrid or several other Toyota/Lexus applications like the Highlander or upcoming Lexus GS450h). There may be a third take as well, which is somewhere in the middle. This is the most sensible approach. The new Camry, for all it's creamy bland center goodness, will offer a hybrid model slotting between the base 4 banger and V6 models in both performance and price. Genius.
With all of the options and approachs discussed above, it is not hard to see how folks are confused (and we have not even started talking about the cost/benefit analysis). I have heard misguided discussion around my office hallways talking about battery explosions, longevity, and EMT personnel not being able to rescue individuals trapped in a hybrid car. BusinessWeek does a pretty good job of revealing the Top Ten Hybrid Myths. They hit all the major points, even if a couple are pretty obvious.
