A resource center for information on hybrid and electric vehicles.

Literally, the term "hybrid" means anything of a mixed origin, a product of two varying kinds. Hybrids are the outgrowth of technological advancements inspired by man?s creativity and curiosity, evidence that necessity is indeed the mother of invention.

It was in the year 1899 that man had first come up with the hybrid car engineered by Ferdinand Porsche. A hybrid car is operated by both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Hybrid cars were not as popular to the people at that time as they have become recently. Now, famous automobile manufacturers like Toyota and Honda have several innovative and trendy models of hybrid cars.

Like any other vehicle, the hybrid car is composed of a gas engine, fuel tank, batteries, and a transmission. A major difference is that the engine is smaller in size, and it has an electric motor that functions with the gas engine.

The hybrid car is viewed to be the long-awaited answer to our worries about the continuous rise of fuel prices and rampant air pollution. Due to the shortage of oil mining sources and the increasing demand for fuel, some are beginning to worry that there will come a time when there will be no more oil left. Also, the amount of destructive air pollutants like the auto engine, which is considered as the biggest polluter on earth, has become very alarming. These factors have induced more people to search for alternative energy sources. Out of these concerns hybrid cars have evolved.

The hybrid car can save money on fuel costs and reduce the emission of carbon dioxide since it is powered by not gas alone but also by electricity. The hybrid car also has a self-recharging quality, so it doesn?t need to be plugged into an outlet. Therefore, the lesser fuel needed, the less the cost, and the less the pollution.