By Daniela Sperotto
It has taken nearly 100 years for the hybrid car to “make a comeback”, with the launch of the new generation mass-market Toyota Prius in 1997. Since then, with the economical and environmental concerns growing rapidly all over the globe, the world has been motivated to change its course with the ushering in of advanced hybrid technology for motorcars, thus reducing carbon emissions and setting a trend for a greener way of travelling.
At this year’s International Geneva Autoshow, in March 2009, a striking number of 20 electric cars were launched and unveiled, either as concept cars, prototypes or new models, each setting the trend of things to come. The show is regarded as the most level playing field for car manufacturers and one of the best arenas for technical breakthroughs in the auto industry.
Advantages of a hybrid car
There are two primary reasons why hybrids are hitting the market with such a bang – to assist with reducing carbon emissions into the environment, and to cut motoring costs on petrol while also reducing the reliance on oil. With the combination of electric power and convectional burning of petroleum, harmful emissions are reduced minimising the effects of global warming.
By driving a hybrid car, you can almost slash your carbon emissions by half and as an added extra, it can save you money. With the launch of the new third-generation Toyota Prius – the only hybrid currently available in South Africa – Toyota has gone to great lengths to perfect the Prius. “Despite the added power and size, the 2010 Toyota Prius becomes the only vehicle available today to offer 50 miles per gallon (equivalent to 21kms per litre) in combined city and highway driving,” the company announced. This almost doubles conventional car mileage, appealing to almost anyone. The Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system used to power the Prius has been named Green Engine of the Year in the International Engine of the Year Awards.
Hybrid cars have been tried and tested and offer consumers the best of the best, with the hybridised engine always out-performing that of a conventional engine.
