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These days it’s cool to be green. And while the environment is always a concern, high gas prices probably have more to do with America’s new found green movement than anything. No longer do we want those gas guzzlers - we want the fuel sipping hybrid cars to be the ones lining our driveways.

Even a few short years ago consumers were leery of buying and driving a hybrid. Today that’s all changed. Manufacturers like Toyota, Saturn, and Honda can’t make enough of them.

So let’s take a look at what a hybrid is exactly. We all know they’re more fuel efficient, but why? Well, the hybrid has an electric motor (powered by a battery pack) that helps provide power needed with acceleration. The batteries are charging continuously while you drive.

Energy is conserved when you stop because the engine is shut off automatically. Then, when you apply gas, it automatically restarts which is a pretty nifty trick because it all happens so seamlessly

Hybrids also help save gas by frequently using tires that are less roll resistant and that are narrower to help reduce drag and rolling friction that the vehicle would normally experience while moving.

The sales figures for hybrid vehicles have shown increased demand every year for the vehicles. Right now the demand for fuel efficient hybrids is far eclipsing the actual supply. Just try to buy yourself a Prius at your local dealership and notice how they’re not going to budge on the price. You’ll pay full sticker because if you don’t, someone else will.

Recently, we’ve seen several new entries into the hybrid market. Honda and Toyota make by far the most hybrid models, but all American auto manufacturers now offer many hybrids in their vehicle lineups. Europe has been a little slower, opting for diesel instead.

The Toyota Prius is the uncontested king of hybrids with over 1,000,000 on the road.

Now that consumer support for the hybrids has arrived, auto manufacturers are increasing the pace at which they introduce hybrid models.

While none of us has a crystal ball to know exactly what we’ll be driving 50 years in the future, the hybrid is certainly going to be a prominent player in the quest to save gas for years to come.

Tags: Auto

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