Is Ford's Hybrid Really Better Than The Competition?

Is Ford's Hybrid Really Better Than The Competition?

Author: Levi Quinn

While foreign automakers have dominated the hybrid market in the past, Ford is making its move to rise to the top in this new high-demand arena. With its hydraulic F-150 on the way and the newly re-engineered Escape, this company could very well be on the right track to bring American ingenuity to the forefront of this automotive field.

Although not on the market as of yet, the hydraulic F-150 is anticipated to be some 300 percent more efficient than the darling of hybrid drivers – the Toyota Prius. The hydraulic full-sized truck is expected to garner about 60 miles per gallon in the city. This is a whopping 400 percent increase over fuel efficiency from the standard F-150 presently on the market.

The F-150 would be a slightly different type of hybrid than others on the market. Standard hybrids use gasoline to charge batteries that can move vehicles at low speeds. Hydraulics operate in the same manner, but do not rely on batteries. Instead, they house excess energy within hydraulic cylinders. These are said to be three times more efficient than the nickel metal hydride batteries presently in use.

The hydraulic is not the only hybrid Ford has up its sleeve. Already on the market is the redesigned Escape that boasts features that have the automotive world abuzz. This hybrid does operate using batteries, but it shows that full-sized and environmentally friendly can go hand in hand. Garnering up to 36 miles per gallon, this SUV isn’t quite as efficient as smaller hybrids, but it does pack in a lot of bang for the buck. Some of the features that make the Escape stand out include:

• Seating – The Escape hybrid is designed to comfortably seat five and still have the back cargo area that is a favorite of larger families.
• Drive options – The new Escape features both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options. Four-wheel drive buyers do lose a bit on the fuel efficiency, but not much.
• Large center console – The Escape was designed with functionality in mind. To this end, the center console is big enough to hold an entire laptop computer. It is also fully removable when extra storage capacity is required.
• Handling – The hybrid Escape was created to look and handle just like any other SUV. Although it is on the small size compared to some SUVs, it can handle hauling and difficult terrain quite well.
• Electrical uses – The electric-power functioning of the Escape motor kicks in at different times during operation. The Escape not only relies on the electric power for low-speed driving, it also lends a boost during high-speed acceleration.
• Transmission – The new Escape does not have a typical transmission. Instead it relies on a continuously variable transmission that is electronically controlled. This computer-backed function lends itself to a 30-percent increase in fuel efficiency over normal transmissions.

Ford is changing the way hybrids look and feel. By breaking out of the box, this American company is showing the environmentally conscious drivers can still enjoy enough roominess to get jobs done without wasting gas in the process.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/is-fords-hybrid-really-better-than-the-competition-1112392.html

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Green Car Insurance

Green Cars Means Cheaper Insurance

By Amy Nutt

It seems that these days everyone wants to do their part to help protect the environment. Due to growing consumer demands, Business and Industry are now coming up with ways for people to benefit from living a green lifestyle. One way of encouraging eco-friendly living is for insurance companies to provide cheaper car insurance for people who buy green cars. Recent research shows that drivers are increasingly more likely to purchase a green car.

There are many reasons why people are gravitating toward green cars. Because green cars have lower emissions, they will save more on gas. As well, lower emissions will result in a decreased carbon footprint since there is less carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide being released into the atmosphere. This helps slow down global warming.

Because some green cars such as hybrids tend to be expensive, insurance companies are now providing discounts to people who buy more energy efficient vehicles. This can include not only hybrids, but cars that have high mileage. Research has shown that people who drive hybrids are a lower risk of getting involved in an accident and tend to be less reckless drivers. These drivers are considered more sensible and they care about the environment so there risk is lowered. A lower risk driver will receive lower premiums. As well, many of these companies that offer discounts for green drivers are involved in programs that work to make a more sustainable environment.

Green Car Insurance is basically a method of providing discounts for people who drive low emission vehicles. The insurance was designed and implemented on the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle. They reward eco-friendly customers with discounted car insurance premiums. Most of these companies offer some type of carbon offsetting program. This means they take a percentage of the price of a policy and give it to carbon offsetting projects. Some of the programs involve planting trees, supporting recycling projects, or other eco-projects. They may even offer extra incentives such as using recycled car parts for repairs and recycling the car if it is irrecoverable. There are a number of green car insurance companies that will offset 100% of a vehicle's emissions.

There are also proposed pay-as-you-go car insurance programs. This is where your insurance rates are based on the actual number of miles you drive. This encourages drivers to reduce the number of miles they drive each year. Drivers would confirm mileage either by their repair records, odometer readings, or even a piece of equipment installed on the vehicle that tracks mileage.

Customers are now being rewarded for their green lifestyle with insurance discounts. For example, GMAC offers a program with their OnStar system allowing customers to send their mileage stats via OnStar, and if their yearly confirmed mileage is less than 15,000 miles, they can receive up to a 54% discount on their GMAC car insurance.

The number of insurance providers that are providing policies that include green options is increasing. Unfortunately, not that many people know about these eco-friendly insurance options because they receive less advertising than traditional insurance policies. If you are one of the millions of people who are concerned about the future of the planet and its resources, ask your insurance company if they offer a green insurance policy. As more people learn about these great insurance options, the green trend will continue to swell. Educating consumers about the importance of green cars will encourage more people to consider purchasing a green car.

Offering cheaper insurance for green car owners means more people will buy these vehicles and thus create a cleaner and greener environment.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt

What You Need to Know About Hybrids

Many of us don't really think much about our surroundings. In fact most of us would buy a luxury Sport Utility vehicle in a heartbeat if we could.  Although there have been incessant campaigns in global warming many of us don't really pay attention to pollution emitting out of our car's exhaust pipe's. That was until gas prices started to soar and people were desperate for alternatives.  Hybrid technology was new and misunderstood in the past.  Visions of weird boxes on wheels came to mind. That was until the Toyota Prius came out in 1997.

The first hybrid car did not look out of this world or too space age for the common person's taste. It was just a conventional looking car that saved on gas.  The hybrid technology spread slowly. Sales from the Prius and Insight were moderate. Nonetheless, the public supported the technology which led to further improvements. The Ford Escape hybrid filled the gap between looking good and doing well.  It had style and practicality which became the cue for luxury hybrid cars to add to the market.

Although hybrid cars are a good choice for today, is it really worth spending a lot of money to save the environment?   And how do you know which to buy amid the slew of eye candy hybrids?

Why and what hybrid to buy

Hybrids run on electric power through their motors. These motors also serve as generators that recharge batteries on board to power them for mileage. This enables the vehicle to use less fuel which leads to lower costs and reduced emissions. The internal combustion engine serves as a back up for more power at high speeds. A computer determines which and how much power will be used from the motor and the engine.

Hybrids recharge through regenerative breaking. They are perfect for driving in the city where stop and go driving is common.   In the city drivers don't really need a lot of horsepower.

Other motor companies have made hybrids to add to their credentials.  If you really want to be practical a compact four door sedan will do well for you instead of a hybrid SUV that costs twice as much.  Luxury hybrids may do well in the long run by saving gas but spending more than $60,000 on a practical car defeats its purpose.  If you want to go green, go simple.  In reality you don't need to drive a 200 horsepower vehicle.

Johan Young is the author of Johan Young's Guide to Hybrid.