Hybrid Cars

Abstract

-This paper focused on hybrid vehicle technology and its integration into society. The encompassing issue answered in this project was whether hybrids meet the expectationsfor environme ntal benefits suggested by many people. Research was done is the areas of types of hybrids, consumer trends, and the future of hyb rid technology. Hybrid production and efficiency data were anal yzed to examine the technical aspects of the technology. A focus group of people who recently bought cars, both hybrids and non‐ hybrids, revealed what consumers look for in their cars. Analysis of the needs of hybrid technology helped determine how feasible widespread change to hybrids would be in future. With all infor mation taken into account, we concluded thathybrids have severa l drawbacks that offset their fuel efficiency. Their higher price bo th turns consumers away and makes the vehicles a less attractive economic investment. Energy efficient processing techniques nee d to be developed before the advanced materials in hybrids can h elp add to their clean image. Widespread change to advanced hyb rid technologies is not a feasible option in the near future because of both costand the limited amount of hybrids on the road today. Overall, hybrid technology has a lot of potential in the distant fut ure, but as for right now they are not a significant improvement o ver today’s internal combustion engine.