SolveYourProblem Article Series: Hybrid Cars
Hybrid Trucks and SUVs: Are They Worth It?
With rising gas prices, and threats of global
warming, SUVs and trucks have become a major inconvenience
for consumers. Millions of consumers have traded in their SUVs
and trucks for cars. Now, the automakers have found a way to
give consumers back their SUVs and trucks. The solution is
the hybrid truck and SUV. Hybrid cars have been selling for
more than seven years, but hybrid trucks and SUVs have just
appeared in the past year. Are consumers willing to look to
a new technology for their SUVs and trucks? So, Hybrid trucks
and SUVs - take them or leave them?
Many critics of the hybrid SUVs and trucks want to know how
the hybrids stack up against the conventional. The most obvious
comparison is the look of the hybrid SUV or truck compared
with that of a conventional SUV or truck. While most hybrid
cars look like something alien, hybrid SUVs and trucks don’t.
Most of them are just hybrid models of existing SUVs and trucks.
For example, the Ford Escape Hybrid is the hybrid of the pre-existing
Ford Escape model, and the Toyota Highlanders’ hybrid that
of the original. The normal power of the SUV and truck
is maintained in the hybrid models also. The hybrid SUVs and trucks have
power, and acceleration comparable to V-6 engines, and the
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid uses a V-8 engine. The Lexus RX
400h has 268hp, and goes from zero to 60 in 7.2 seconds.
Hybrid
SUVs and trucks emit fewer air pollutants than conventional
SUVs and trucks. The hybrid is 90 percent cleaner for smog
forming emissions, than the average SUV or truck, and there
are no particulate emissions. The Lexus RX 400 hybrid is categorized
as “SULEV” vehicle, which is the cleanest standard attainable.
The greatest difference between the conventional SUV and truck
and the hybrid is fuel economy. Conventional SUVs and trucks
average 15 mpg/city, and 20 mpg/highway. On the other hand,
hybrid trucks and SUVs average 25 mpg/city, and 28 mpg/highway.
This allows drivers to go 400 to 500 miles on one tank of gas.
The Mercury Mariner is the most fuel-efficient hybrid SUV,
offering 33 mpg/city, and 29 mpg/highway. There is a 10-to15
percent increase in fuel economy when using any hybrid SUV
or truck.
The
technology used in the hybrid SUV and truck is the same
technology used in hybrid cars. Hybrid trucks and SUVs have
electric motors with gasoline engines. The electric motors
and gasoline engines work together to make them as fuel efficient
as possible. The electric motor operates solely at low driving
speeds up to 25mph, and when braking, and uses no fossil fuel.
The gasoline engine takes over at higher speeds. All hybrid
trucks and SUVs have electronically controlled continuously
variable transmissions (eCVT), which works like an automatic
transmission. The hybrid trucks and SUVs also have a regenerative
braking system, which allows the battery to be recharged while
braking. The fuel-efficient technology of the hybrid again
poses the question; “Hybrid trucks and SUVs- take them or leave
them?
Several automakers provide hybrid trucks and SUVs, and others
joining them. The first hybrid introduced to consumers was
the Ford Escape Hybrid. The Escape hybrid sold 20,000 in it’s
first year, and was so successful, that the Mercury Mariner
Hybrid was released a year early. There are also the Toyota
Highlander Hybrid, the GMC Sierra/Sienna Hybrids, the Saturn
Vue Hybrid, and the Lexus RX 400h. The Dodge Ram Hybrid will
be the first hybrid truck to have a diesel engine and electric
motor. The Chevy Tahoe, and the GMC Yukon will be released
in 2007. The Porsche Cayenne will be available in 2008. There
will also be a Cadillac Escalade, Dodge Durango, and Kia Rio
hybrid available in the next three years. Hybrid SUVs and trucks
are priced about $3,500 to 6,000 dollars higher than their
conventional counterparts.
So, Hybrid trucks and SUVs - take them or leave them? Why
not take them? Sure the prices are higher, but they have all
the power, and amenities of the conventional SUVs and trucks,
and help save the planet. In addition, consumers save money
on gas. It’s not much to think about, but consumers should
seriously consider rather hybrid cars and trucks are a grievance
or a necessity.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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