You may ask, "Why are hybrid cars all the rage this year? Are they really that better for the environment? Are they really a practical automobile to purchase if you drive long distances? Are they really cool-looking?" Yes, yes, and yes again!
Here is the low-down on why more and more hybrid cars are cruising the streets. As the word "hybrid" suggests, hybrid cars run on an electric motor with a small fuel-efficient gas engine.
The hybrid will run on the small engine, but the battery will kick in to accelerate to get on the highway or driving up a hill. And don't worry about the batteries dying while you're driving because they automatically recharge while you drive. The batteries are also charged while you are slowing down because the hybrids recover braking energy and can actually store this energy in the battery.
Another benefit of a hybrid is the ability to shut the engine down temporarily when you are stopped at a traffic light. You won't even notice and the engine will automatically restart when you put the car back into gear. The design of hybrid cars also adds to their efficiency. The advanced aerodynamics, low-rolling resistance tires and lightweight materials reduce the drag on the road.
Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz are not the only ones realizing the appeal of hybrid cars; Bowdoin students are driving hybrids, too. I spoke with Nancy Van Dyke '05 about her Honda Civic Hybrid purchased this summer. Although she still tries to drive as little as possible, she has enjoyed the use of the hybrid. She explained that the best features is how quiet the car is because it shuts down when you stop. She also loves all the functions on the dashboard that tell her when she is using the battery, when she is charging the battery, and her gas mileage. This way she knows when she is being most efficient. She has been averaging 38 miles per gallon!
If you aren't convinced yet that your next car purchase should be a hybrid car, do the online Gas Mileage Impact Calculator, available at hybridcars.com, and learn how much less carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas), nitrogen oxide (lung irritant and smog), and hydrocarbons (smog) are produced compared to another car.
Bowdoin College has also followed this trend and has bought a hybrid car that can be signed out and driven for college related activities. It lessens emissions, saves gas money, and is worth a spin!