Buying a Car That Uses Flex Fuels

Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire a vehicle that uses biodiesel and flex fuels. Typically, all you will need to do is examine the VIN number. Most manufacturers will append an FX at the end of the VIN to designate a flex fuel engine. That said, if you are not sure, it is best to ask the car dealer.

In some cases, you may also be able to order a flex fuel engine for a new car. While this may be a bit more expensive, you may consider it worth your while. Among other things, this may make it easier to obtain a bank loan. You may also find that you can get a tax rebate for purchasing a vehicle with this kind of engine.

Advantages

While you won't see much in the way of improved gas mileage with a flex fuel engine, it does have some other benefits. In particular, as ethanol and other plant based fuels take the place of petroleum products, you may not need to replace your vehicle in order to compensate. Unfortunately, now is the worst time possible to purchase a new car with an engine that uses only regular gasoline, or a low percentage ethanol blend. That said, you may still want to hold off on buying a flex fuel vehicle and see if a hydrogen based engines will become more available in the next year or two.

Disadvantages

As may be expected, newly emerging engine and fuel technologies make it difficult to determine which car is best for long term value. Among other things, even if you do not plan on keeping your car for 10 years, you may still need to think about trade in, or residual value. The last thing you will want to do is purchase a new vehicle that will become obsolete in the next four years.

With the exception of hydrogen fuels, it is likely that a flex fuel engine will be able to utilize most of the newer fuels. At the same time, it is important to keep your eye on other emerging technologies. This includes studying the hybrid market, as well as electric cars and vehicles with hydrogen engines.

In some cases, you may conclude that it is better to simply buy a second hand car, and hold off on the purchase of a new vehicle for the next two years. Aside from giving you an opportunity to study new transportation technologies, you will save an enormous amount of money on car insurance and car loan interest rates. During this interval, you may even find that public transportation and other technologies make it easier for you to achieve your goals without the need for an automobile.

In many ways, evaluating a hybrid vehicle is not that much different from the routine you would employ to choose a conventional car. That said, as you research each car, you will find each one has a specific set of characteristics, as well as warranty levels. As may be expected, you will want to weigh all of these factors in comparison to the amount of time that you are planning to keep the vehicle.

Personal Comfort

Chances are, if you look at the exterior of a hybrid, you will notice that it is smaller than conventional vehicles. That said, you will quickly find that the interior is roomy and comfortable. In many cases, you may even find that the hybrids are better designed than full sized sedans. On the other hand, it may take some time to get used to the difference in the way the engine sounds.

Initial Cost, Financing and Rebates

Even though hybrids are more expensive in terms of msrp, there are a number of tax rebates and other incentives you can take advantage of. While these rebates cannot be taken throughout the lifespan of the car, you may still find that the aggregate dollar amount brings the cost of the car back down to what you would spend on a more conventional vehicle. In addition, you will definitely be getting better gas mileage.

Warranties and Extended Warranties

Some analysts feel that purchasing an extended warranty on a hybrid is useless. That said, in my opinion, we simply do not know enough about future manufacturing techniques, nor do we know enough about the long term durability of hybrid vehicles. This is especially important in view of the number of conventional cars produced in the last 4 years that develop drivetrain and costly fuel pump issues in comparison to older vehicles. In addition, if you can manage to obtain warranty that covers the battery after 120,000 miles, it is likely to be worth your while to sign up for it.

Part 7: Evolving Trends

As you may be aware, the combination of gasoline engines and electric motors is just one form of propulsion. Chances are, a number of different methods will emerge to optimize these combinations. This includes vehicles that take advantage of series propulsion, as well as other innovations.

Renewable Fuel Engines

Without a question, ethanol and renewable fuels are going to play a much larger role in filling transport energy needs. As a result, it is likely that hybrid vehicle engines will soon be built for flex fuel capacity. While there is no mention of this type of engine in the current hybrid literature, you might want to ask your auto dealer if you can get an engine for your hybrid that will accommodate renewable fuels.

Hydrogen Fuel

In addition, consider we already have hydrogen fuel converters for conventional engines. Even though these may not be safe to use on current vehicles, one day we might see an engine that runs on hydrogen alone. As may be expected, if one of these results in a breakthrough in the next 5 years, it could mean the newly emerging hybrids will be obsolete within a decade.

Other Technologies

Among other things, we might also see a revival of the steam engine, as well as fully electric cars. While it may seem like a stretch at this time, there is also an enormous amount of research being done with static electricity, as well as solar electricity. Any one of these technologies may soon be converted into some form of propulsion system.

Together with this, there are already a number of manufacturers investigating different shapes for cars. As an example, recently a pyramid shaped car got over 100 mpg. There may also be some promise in round or disc shaped vehicles. That said, if you think a hybrid is ultra modern looking, these newer designs are bound to be far more difficult to adjust to.

Conclusion

Chances are, if you are interested in buying a hybrid car, you are very concerned about the cost and future availability of conventional fuels. In one sense, the hybrid is a quick, and yet somewhat costly answer to much deeper and long term problems. It is also important to consider that at some point in the near future, we will need to have engines that run more on ethanol than gasoline.

As a result, before committing to the purchase of a hybrid, it might be better to see if you can make some changes in your lifestyle that will reduce your need to travel. From there, you can watch and wait to see what types of trends emerge in fuel types, as well as propulsion systems. As may be expected, consumer demand and interests will drive this process.

Without a question, the last thing you will want to do is spend an enormous amount of money on a hybrid, only to find out that you must spend even more 5 years from now in order to obtain fuel for it. At the same time, if flex fuel engines for hybrids, or other technologies emerge, you will be stuck with an obsolete car that will not be worth much when you try to trade it in.

In closing, we hope this ebook has given you a good feel for the types of issues you will need to consider before purchasing a hybrid.

Today, many people are concerned about the additional costs associated with fixing hybrid vehicles. At the current time, the cost of maintaining a hybrid vehicle appears to be the same as what you would spend on a conventional car. In addition, you may even find some savings on brake repairs, as the energy recapture system also serves to keep the brakes cooler.

Unfortunately, we may not have an accurate description of what it will cost to fix a hybrid. That said, we already know some of the initial estimates were much lower than actual cost. As an example, there is an enormous cost associated with repairing and replacing the batteries. There are also some other factors that may come into play as the production of hybrids shifts from custom design to commercial factories.

One has only to look at the durability of cars produced in the 1970's and '80's compared to today in order to see the pattern. As you may be aware, conventional automobiles manufactured today rarely last four years before developing costly repair issues, such as fuel pump replacement and drive train replacements. In my opinion, as hybrid vehicles become more common, they will have shorter lifespans, and develop more complex problems than the vehicles on the market now.

Consider the following:

• For the last few year, hybrid manufacturers have done their best to develop a durable product.
• As the demand increases, manufacturers will need to mechanize more aspects, and reduce quality control checkpoints.
• As manufacturers grow more reassured of their position in the market, they will produce a less durable product.
• While prices will come down, the number of mechanical repair issues are likely to skyrocket.

Battery Replacement

Today, it is already commonly known that the battery packs found in hybrid cars last for a little over 100,000 miles. At the same time, battery replacement or repair costs range from $3,000 to $5,000 and do not appear to be covered in the warranties. Unfortunately, in a society where individuals commute over 100 miles per day to get to work, the hybrid car will be virtually useless in less than 5 years.

Computer Issues

Anyone that has driven a conventional car with electrical or computer issue is likely to be a bit nervous about the idea of a computer controlling so many aspects of the hybrid performance. While no reports have surfaced yet about computer problems on hybrids, it may just be a matter of time. Again, I feel we must consider what happens in the automobile industry as industrial standards and mechanization take precedence over strict quality control protocols and designs that account less for mechanical wear. As an example, many cars produced in the 1990's have computer modules comparable to those found as standard equipment in cars today. At the same time, you will find today's conventional cars have an enormous number of computer related issues.

Unknown Factors in the Drivetrain and Transmission

Because the batteries for hybrids cost so much, most people are focused on looking for ways to force the manufacturers to reduce prices. Chances are, these efforts will be successful, to the point where a dead battery pack will no longer mean having to buy a new vehicle. Unfortunately, one must wonder what other issues will develop in the drivetrains, transmissions, and power motors. Among other things, it is common knowledge that failing batteries and alternators wreak havoc in conventional vehicles. This includes damage to steering pump motors, power assist brake motors, and many other devices. Therefore, it seems that a hybrid vehicle would be subject to the same laws of nature and physics.

That said, the manufacturers of hybrids all indicate they have rigorously tested these vehicles. At the same time, there are hybrid car owners that say their vehicles remain durable and reliable well past the warranty period. Perhaps one can think of this as similar to the situation with smoking cigarettes. You will always find individuals that smoke a carton a day and never get emphysema or cancer. Nevertheless, smoking even a few cigarettes a day poses a major health risk to the majority of people. As a result, perhaps when it comes to the question of hybrid repair and maintenance cost, it would be best to plan on spending more money than the dealer indicates.

Part 5: Purchasing Cost, Insurance, and Depreciation

When purchasing a car, many people consider other things beside the initial purchase cost and maintenance. Among other things, it is important to find out how much it will cost to insure the car. You will also want to try and calculate what the car's residual value will be at the end of your loan period, or its depreciation value.

Initial Cost

As may be expected with any new product, you will find that hybrids cost more than conventional cars. Typically, a small car will cost from $21,000 up to $26,000, while larger sedans cost around $30,000. While there are SUV's and pickup trucks available, they tend to cost over $50,000 msrp. Chances are, as the methods for producing hybrids become more standardized, these prices will come down.

Insurance Cost

At the current time, most insurance companies will charge less to insure a hybrid than they will a conventional car. That said, it is important to realize that insurance carriers have as little information to work on right now as the general public. Statistically speaking, there are fewer collisions involving hybrids simply because there are fewer of them on the road. That said, as these vehicles become more available, logically, the number of collisions they are involved in will also increase. This, in turn may mean that insurance rates on these vehicles will grow at an exponential rate, because the statistical indicators will indicate an exponential change in the ratio of vehicles to number of collisions.

Depreciation Estimates

If all hybrids depreciate as well as the Toyota Prius, there is no question you will be getting good value for your money. Among other things, research indicates the Prius currently leads all other cars in terms of residual value. At the same time, the Honda Civic hybrid and is at the bottom of the top ten. That said, many other conventional cars have ranked far worse. Without a question, if these depreciation trends continue, hybrids will be a good investment for individuals that want to trade into a new car at the end of the current lease or loan period. On the other hand, if repair issues prove to be as prohibitive as I suspect they will, then these cars will depreciate very quickly in the next few years.

Even though conventional and hybrid cars rely on some similar technologies, there are a number of key differences. Among other things, a hybrid vehicle relies on an electrical motor and a generator in order to achieve propulsion. You will also find that hybrid cars also take advantage of technologies that recapture energies spent on certain processes.

The Electric Motor and Batteries in a Hybrid

As you may be aware, a conventional vehicle has only one acid battery, which is charged by an alternator. By contrast, a hybrid vehicle has a rechargeable battery pack that is capable of providing enough power for propulsion. With the exception of size, these batteries are similar to cell phone batteries. You may also think of them as being similar to the NIMH ones that you can use in your cameras and other battery operated gadgets.

The motor in a hybrid vehicle often serves as a propulsion mechanism and a generator. Therefore, while the motor is engaged in moving your vehicle, some of the electricity generated by it also gets stored in the batteries. As may be expected, the clutch, transmission and drivetrain on a hybrid must be able to accept thrust energy from different sources. This is usually accomplished with a split box design.

Brake Energy Recapture

One of the most fascinating technologies included in hybrid vehicles is the ability to recapture the energy of momentum that is normally lost during braking. Basically, as soon as you start braking, the energy of momentum is cycled back into the batteries. You will also find that the brakes on a hybrid vehicle stay cooler because there is less momentum to overcome. This, in turn, means your brakes will last much longer.

The Computer System

As soon as a hybrid vehicle is started, the computer begins the process of deciding which power source to use. Because the engine is undersized in comparison to what you would find on a conventional vehicle, most of the ratios will include some assistance from the electric motors, and even the batteries. In addition, during this process, the computer must differentiate between acceleration and deceleration, as well as provide enough energy to compensate for various terrains.

Part 3 - Hybrid Driving Style Differences

If you have ever driven a hybrid, one of the first things you will notice is that it is much quieter than a conventional car. Aside from auditory differences, there are some other things to keep in mind as you adjust to driving a hybrid. While these changes are no so different that it will feel like learning to drive all over again, you will still need to make sure that you are prepared for certain circumstances.

Gas Engine Phases in and Out

Chances are, if the engine on your car ever just stopped while you were driving, you would immediately think something is wrong. Considering the number of fuel pumps that simply die out this way in conventional cars, you would be well justified in your concerns. On the other hand, the gas engine on a hybrid routinely turns on and off. In particular, if you are idling, it may cut out all together.

Without a question, the engine phasing in and out is difficult to get used to. Aside from the silence when it kicks out, you will also hear some noise when it starts up again. In addition, if you are accustomed to the good healthy roar of a gas engine as you zip along on the thruway, the sound of a hybrid is likely to make you feel like it is ready to break down.

Pedestrian Issues

In many cases, when you drive a traditional car, people will move out of your way without even looking. This occurs because they are accustomed to the level of sound produced by a car coming up behind them. Even though you may still watch carefully for pedestrians when driving a hybrid, you would be surprised at how many people cannot hear the car coming up behind them. As a result, you may be thinking that they will move out of the way as they normally would. Unfortunately, they won't, and therefore, you may wind up stopping short.

This problem is compounded when there are blind people trying to navigate streets and parking lots without the assistance of a seeing eye dog. In many cases, blind people rely on their hearing to determine when a car is near. They cannot achieve this when a hybrid is approaching, let alone get a sense of what direction the car is coming from.

Check out the latest hybrid cars for sale.

See Parts 4 &5

About Regenerative Braking

Simply, regenerative braking enables the vehicle to capture some of the energy that would otherwise be lost when the vehicle slows to a stop. In conventional brake designs, the forward momentum of the vehicle is lost when the brakes are applied. This energy is converted to heat via friction and is dissipated into the surrounding air.

In hybrid cars with regenerative braking, some of the forward momentum of the car is captured and stored in batteries that provide power for accessories or locomotion. Regenerative brakes will slow the car and capture some of the "lost" energy, but they will not reliably bring the car to a complete halt.

Regenerative braking systems use the energy that would ordinarily be dissipated as heat to power a motor that is also wired to function as a generator. When the vehicle is in motion, the wheels turn the motor, generating current that aids the forward momentum of the vehicle. When the brakes are applied, the current flow in the motor reverses and causes the motor to oppose the vehicle's forward motion.

The applied braking force is proportional to the current that opposes forward motion. The current produces a force in the motor called torque, which slows the vehicle and allows the motor to charge the battery pack. The regenerative braking process slows the vehicle but not enough to bring the car to a precise stop.

For safety reasons, a regenerative braking system is typically used in parallel with a traditional friction brake design. Under most normal driving conditions, regenerative braking would be desirable in a hybrid electric vehicle. Under emergency braking conditions, however, the vehicle requires immediate maximum braking force, which can be delivered only by conventional friction brakes.

There are a few other reasons to use dual brake designs on hybrid vehicles. Most passenger vehicles are classified as two-wheel drive. Since regenerative braking systems are employed only on the vehicle's drive wheels, a set of friction brakes on the vehicle's unpowered wheels is also needed. Conventional brake systems, which are used on all of the vehicle's wheels, also act as an active back up in case the regenerative brakes fail under normal driving conditions.

Having two brake systems sounds like a good idea from a safety perspective, but it also means that the actions of these two independent systems need to be coordinated to balance energy recovery with the need for braking precision. Conventional designs accomplish braking via mechanical means. Brake systems are hydraulic, and use fluid power to generate and control the required braking forces. The brakes themselves are attached to the wheels. Most commonly, drum brakes or disc brakes are used along with highly heat-resistant material called brake pads or "shoes." The shoes, (or calipers in disc brakes) are mechanically forced against the drum (or discs) to slow the wheels to a stop. The force that presses the shoes or calipers against the wheel's brake system can also be generated hydraulically or pneumatically ("air brakes"). Electromagnetism can also be used to generate braking forces.

In hybrid electric vehicles, coordinating the actions of two braking systems requires extremely precise control. Mechanical components don't react fast enough to provide precise braking controls. A network of electronic controllers, sensors and actuators distributed throughout the vehicle is increasingly used in automotive braking designs. Electronic braking control is a major departure from the largely mechanical process of braking. Inclusion of these "brake-by-wire" technologies also enables other braking and safety technologies like collision detection and corrective braking.

Within an electromechanical braking system, a bevy of sensors track the wheel speed, the positions of the brake pedal and the emergency brakes, the actions of the throttle and steering systems, and the position and movement of the vehicle. Electromechanical braking employs other sensors to control how forcefully the brake should be applied and to measure the build-up of heat within the brakes.

The brake system must know all of this information at all times. In addition, the brake system must determine when to deploy safety mechanisms like anti-lock brakes, and must also track and work with other systems that are designed to improve the stability of the vehicle in sudden driving emergencies.

Regenerative brakes are neither new nor limited to automobiles. The technology was developed more than 40 years ago and is often found on other transports, like electric trains and large trucks where fuel economy is critical. Regenerative braking can save wear and tear on mechanical braking components and improve fuel economy in a vehicle by using more of the power train's output and providing a ready source of power to recharge batteries that would otherwise be depleted in the early stages of a trip.

Regenerative braking is not used on conventional vehicles. In a conventional vehicle, the battery is used to start the engine and to power the electrical accessories and control components. The alternator serves as a highly efficient recharger once the engine is started. The design of a conventional vehicle gives little reason to use regenerative braking.

Other "hybrid" technologies, like stop-start, can be used on conventional vehicles. Stop-start cuts the internal combustion engine when the car is idling and immediately restarts the motor when the gas pedal is pressed. Like regenerative braking, stop-start is not new, nor is it used exclusively on hybrids. It has come into vogue with hybrids as a way to improve fuel economy and conserve energy when the car is idling. Stop-start could reduce fuel consumption by 7-10% in a vehicle (hybrid or otherwise) outfitted with the technology.

Hybrid Vehicle Types

The fuel efficiency of the hybrid vehicles depends upon the hybrid design. Two major hybrid designs have emerged, and are referred to as "parallel" and "series." A parallel hybrid design has two independent power plants – an electrical motor and an internal combustion engine. Both of these power sources can act on the transmission at the same time. These power plants combine to drive the transmission, and ultimately the vehicle's wheels. Each of these power plants can also drive the transmission independently to offer all-electric or all ICE drive. Normally, an all-electric mode would handle low-speed situations, like idles and cold-starts, or a "maintenance" situation, like cruising at highway speed.

In contrast, a series hybrid design uses the internal combustion engine to power a generator. The generator then powers the vehicle's transmission, or charges the batteries in the car. The gasoline engine does not directly drive the transmission or wheels in a series hybrid design, and the transmission may have only a single gear. In certain designs, each wheel has its own electric drive motor, and some hybrid designs may eliminate the transmission altogether.
Another component of fuel efficiency is the size of the internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle. Manufacturers can afford to put much smaller engines in their hybrid vehicle designs because the goal of the engine in a hybrid isn't to allow the vehicle to reach a certain top speed, but rather to meet the average power needs of the vehicle. Many passenger hybrid vehicles use engines with displacements in the 1L-2L range. These engines would be too small to provide adequate power to a conventional vehicle, but the hybrid system acts like a booster to provide the power the vehicle needs for acceleration, climbing and in some cases, towing.

How Hybrid Vehicle Work Cont.

For certain hybrid vehicle designs, (primarily trucks) the internal combustion engine is much larger – in the 4L-5L range or better. In these vehicles, the hybrid system is used to boost fuel economy. The addition of the hybrid system reduces some of the vehicle's towing capacity in exchange for better average fuel economy.

Several pickup trucks and SUVs use hybrid systems to provide a needed power boost for towing and climbing, and to maximize fuel economy at highway speeds. In this case, the hybrid system helps maintains the vehicle's cruising speed, allowing the engine to switch from an 8-cylinder operation to a more efficient 4-cylinder one while the vehicle is in motion. These vehicles typically have very similar or equal city and highway mileage ratings.

For drivers of hybrid vehicles, in most cases, it is difficult to tell when the hybrid drive system is active. Special gauges have been developed to help drivers learn how to maximize their fuel economy in a hybrid vehicle. These gauges may also keep track of the vehicle's emissions. Hybrid drive systems pose other challenges, too. For example, manufacturers' recommendations regarding oil changes and maintenance intervals may be difficult to follow, since the internal combustion engine usage is no longer directly related to odometer mileage.

It should come as no surprise then, that celebrities are also at the forefront of the movement toward hybrid vehicles. The list of celebs who own and drive eco-friendly hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles is growing daily. Specialty manufacturers like Tesla and Fisker (and a host of other would-be auto giants have located on the West Coast for a reason, and Californians, including a growing list of celebs, are snapping up the latest in green auto technology.

Highly visible celebrities, including Cameron Diaz, were early adopters of hybrid vehicles. Diaz tools around town in her 2nd generation Toyota Prius and gushes about the vehicle whenever she gets the chance.

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis and filmmaker husband Christopher Guest have also jumped on the eco-bandwagon with both feet. Last summer, Curtis and Guest took delivery of only the second Honda Clarity FCX leased in the United States. As part of Honda's business model, the car is available only for lease and wanna-be drivers must live within a specific distance of a hydrogen refueling station. Curtis and Guest own other hybrid and AFVs as well.

Leonardo DiCaprio drives a hybrid vehicle and loved it so much he bought additional hybrids for his mother, father and step-mother. Bill Maher drove a Toyota Prius for several years before trading it in for his current ride, a Lexus RH 400h. David Duchovny, Rob Reiner, Brad Pitt, Salma Hayek, Prince Charles, Susan Sarandon, Patricia Arquette, Tom Hanks and Will Farrell have also made the switch to eco-friendlier hybrid vehicles.

So are hybrids for real, or do they represent just another celebrity fad? The likelihood that hybrids are a flash in the pan is small. The auto industry has been moving toward more fuel efficient, more ecologically friendly technology for years. The push to reduce carbon emissions is receiving renewed interest as a way to counteract the phenomenon of global warming. States have also recently won the right to impose fuel economy and emissions standards that are more restrictive than federal standards

In the short term, hybrids are being looked at as the most likely way to meet increasingly restrictive emissions and fuel economy standards, not only in the US but also in other parts of the world. While most automakers agree that the eventual fuel-of-choice will be hydrogen, the world is far from having adequate infrastructure to support a hydrogen-based economy.

The automakers must still overcome the production costs associated with hybrids, as well as certain design realities that make significantly increased hybrid fuel economy a major challenge. Hybrid vehicle battery packs are expensive, and the move toward lithium-ion cells means that added safety measures must be put into place. While lithium is a common element, it's not widely available in the quantities needed to make vehicle batteries. In addition, the availability of lithium is a politically charged question. Until questions regarding the availability of lithium are answered, hybrid vehicle batteries will remain expensive and will affect the price of both new vehicles and maintenance on existing hybrids.

The weight of the battery packs is substantial and cannot be overlooked in the design of the vehicle. Additional battery weight has a direct impact on the fuel economy of the vehicle. Reducing the weight of the battery pack currently means reducing its size. Smaller battery packs mean lower fuel economy because the vehicle will rely more heavily on its internal combustion engine. At the same time, increasing the size of the battery pack means that the passenger space is compromised. While the car will be more powerful, the additional battery weight still results in reduced fuel economy and increased cost.

Nonetheless, studies of consumer behavior show that there is a definite consumer mindset that is pre-disposed to purchasing hybrid vehicles. Most consumers say they would purchase a hybrid vehicle if money weren't an object, and this statement seems to be borne out by celebrity auto purchases. Unlike the average person however, most celebrities don't rely on a single vehicle, and may own a large number of conventional and alternative fuel cars. The purchase of a hybrid vehicle may be as much a political statement as it is a real demonstration about concern for the environment.

Concern for the environment is what drives most celebrity hybrid purchases. In contrast, most consumers purchase hybrid vehicles as a direct way to reduce gasoline consumption, and an indirect way to reduce the operating cost of a vehicle. Environmental benefits are only a secondary concern. That concern gives way when the additional cost of the hybrid vehicle is taken into consideration. When the "hybrid premium" is substantial (>$5,000) , only about one in five consumers say that their next new car purchase will be a hybrid regardless of its cost because due to their concern for the environment.

Reducing carbon emissions, improving fuel economy and reducing dependence on foreign oil are all public policy initiatives, and hybrid vehicles address these issues. Having a large cohort of celebrity hybrid drivers may or may not help these causes. What may bring more ordinary drivers into the hybrid vehicle fold, however, are vehicle designs that are inspired by something other than reducing the production costs of the vehicles.

For the most part, a PHEV uses the same technology that standard hybrid electric vehicles use, with a few exceptions. The battery pack on a PHEV is larger, and the hybrid system has been modified to accept a charge from household current. The hybrid drive train contains one or more electric motors, an internal combustion engine and a large battery bank. Electronic controls in the vehicle control the rate of battery charging and discharging, and also control the operation of the internal combustion engine.

A few manufacturers have introduced – or plan to introduce – diesel electric hybrid vehicles, mostly for the European markets. A diesel engine is more efficient, and offers better overall fuel economy than an internal combustion engine does, but diesel fuel can be significantly more expensive and does not "burn clean." In the past several years, significant improvements to the diesel engine have reduced the particulate emissions of vehicles that use the technology. "Clean" diesel options are becoming more common and are being adapted for use with hybrid electric vehicles. Currently, there are no plug-in diesel-electric hybrids in production.

Statistically, there are an insignificant number of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in operation today. Most PHEVs in service today are custom modifications of standard hybrid vehicles. Conversion kits for certain vehicles have been created, and kits can range in cost from a few thousand dollars to about $10,000 for the most common conversions.

A large part of the conversion expense is related to the battery needs of a PHEV. Currently, most PHEVs use nickel-metal hydride battery packs. Toyota, which plans to bring a mass produced Prius PHEV to market in the 2010 model year, will initially use a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, but has designed the vehicle with conversion to a lithium-ion battery source at some point in the future. Toyota estimates that the all-electric range of the Prius PHEV will be less than 10 miles.

Chevrolet will bring the Volt to market in late 2010, and plans to use a lithium-ion battery pack with the vehicle. Chevrolet has said that the all-electric range of the Volt will be in the neighborhood of 40 miles. To accomplish this, the Volt uses a 600-V battery pack, which is about twice the size of the most robust conventional hybrid battery pack.

A PHEV never requires household current to charge. If the driver doesn't plug in a PHEV, the car will operate in its HEV mode at all times, relying on the internal combustion engine to supply power to its generator. In contrast, electric cars do require an external charging source for their batteries. Periodically, these vehicles must be charged to remain operational.

Unfortunately for consumers, EV manufacturers have not settled on connector standards. Also unsettled is the issue of current. Some vehicles charge on 220V, while other charge on 110V. Electric vehicles typically come with a number of adapters to enable the use of public charging stations. When an EV charges at home, an EV or PHEV may increase the daily household electrical consumption by 25% or more.

One of the major advantages of a PHEV is its exceptionally low fuel consumption. Over the course of a year, a PHEV may consume as little as one-seventh the amount of gasoline that a conventional vehicle does. For most drivers, the all-electric range of a fully charged PHEV will enable them to complete their daily commute without using any gasoline at all.

What are the major disadvantages of a PHEV? First, the cost of a PHEV is likely to be higher than that of a regular hybrid electric vehicle. Most of the cost differential can be attributed to the increased battery needs of the car. The increased battery requirements also mean increased cost when the battery pack requires replacement. Currently, manufacturers warranty their HEV battery packs for about 8-10 years. Insufficient data exist to know how long mass produced HEV and PHEV battery packs will last, but most hybrid vehicles have not experienced significant battery problems during what would be considered the normal life expectancy of the vehicle.

Industrialized nations have a well-established network of refineries, pipelines, storage facilities, transportation operations and retail sales outlets for gasoline. There is no such supporting infrastructure for PHEVs. Over time, if PHEVs are widely accepted by consumers, municipalities and private companies may invest in the construction of a charging infrastructure for PHEVs. Without a standardized charging system in place, the primary benefits of PHEVs will be limited to short-distance travel.

A third disadvantage of the PHEV is that the impact on the nation's electrical infrastructure is not yet clear. If PHEVs are widely accepted by consumers, the increased load on the electrical grids could be significant. Meeting the new demand for electricity could require the construction of new power plants, many of which would be coal-fired. Electricity produced by coal-fired power plants will merely shift the carbon emissions from the tailpipe to the smokestack, and will not produce significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving this goal through the use of PHEVs would also require the construction of clean power plants. These new plants would be fired by more expensive natural gas or would use nuclear power, a technology that has not yet proven its safety in the minds of the public.