When Toyota first released the Prius hybrid, no one was sure if the half battery,half gasoline powered engine would catch on. Sales figures from the last year indicate that the driving public is getting more and more excited about using electricity to power their daily drivers. Rising fuel costs and improving technology is making hybrids more popular than ever, and hybrid production has been ramped up to meet the skyrocketing demand. European, Asian, and American automakers are all rushing to enter the hybrid market as soon as possible.
From Compact to Luxury
The Prius offered low fuel consumption in a small package. This year, car manufacturers are putting hybrid systems into all types of cars. The compact car is still the best represented in the hybrid field, but customers can also buy full sized hybrid luxury cars and even small SUVs now. The price tag on these luxury hybrids is higher than the cost of their gasoline-powered cousins, but consumers seem to be willing to invest extra for the ability to cut down on their fuel costs without cutting out their creature comforts.
Several Automakers Releasing New Models
Companies that range from Ford to Peugeot have joined Toyota in the hybrid market. Volkswagen is offering hybrid options for its premium Tourag, and you will soon be able to purchase a hybrid from Porsche, Mercedes Benz, and BMW. Audi also has two new high performance hybrid models in production right now. These cars should play a large part in removing the compact car stereotype from the hybrid concept. Toyota is still modifying its hybrid line, with the addition of a larger Prius + that has enough room to seat a family of four comfortably.
Hybrids Becoming Mainstream
The idea of the hybrid has slowly shifted from science fiction gadgets to economical ways to cut down on emissions and still have the ability to drive your own vehicle. As the technology becomes more available, the cost of manufacturing hybrids will continue to drop into a range that will make them more accessible to a wider range of drivers. Many of the problems with hybrids, like their unusual care and maintenance needs, will disappear as more mechanics train for repair of hybrid engines. The niche hybrid market is quickly maneuvering into the mainstream.
Technology Continues to Make Hybrids More Convenient
Automakers are not content to offer the same hybrid engine developed in the beginning. Companies continue to work on the engine so that it can deliver more power while consuming less energy. Plug-in cars and fully electric cars present stiff competition for the hybrid market, so manufacturers will need to continue to provide innovative changes that make the cars easier for the general public to use. Right now, the technology is still in the beginning stages. As the engines become more widely produced, they will evolve into something that is affordable and practical as well as environmentally friendly.
Jessica Bosari writes about cars and insurance for AutoInsuranceAdvice.com. The site is a source of information and free car insurance advice for consumers.