Thursday, January 16, 2014

1.Before Speed Reading – The Speed Reading Monster Course

How many times have you promised yourself to read more but just never found enough time? If only you could do it quickly and more efficiently.
Effective and efficient readers learn to use many styles of reading for different purposes, which include skimming, scanning, and critical reading.

Before reading, you need to identify the purpose why you’ll be doing such activity: Are you looking for background information on a topic you know a little bit about already? Are you looking for specific details and facts that you can marshal in support of an argument? Are you trying to see how an author approaches his topic rhetorically?

It is crucial to know your purpose in reading as it helps focus your attention on important aspects of the text. Before turning those pages, take a moment first to reflect and clarify what your goal really is.

There are many ways to familiarize your self with the background of the text, and gain a useful overview of its content and structure before actually absorbing and digesting the text. Seek information about the context of the reading, its purpose, and its general content. Look for an abstract or an author’s or editor’s note that may precede the article itself. Read any background information that is available to you about the author, the occasion of the writing, its intended audience, and more useful information.

After viewing the title and noting general ideas that are accessible to you as a reader, you can continue to browse pages and scan paragraphs in order to get the gist of what material the text covers and how that material is arranged.

As soon as you finished looking over the text as a whole, read the introductory paragraph or section, noticing that some authors will provide an overview of their message as well as an explicit statement of their thesis or main point in the opening portion of the text. Considering the background information, the messages conveyed by the title, note or abstract, and

the information from the opening paragraph or section, you should be able to proceed with a good hunch of the reading material’s direction.
In order to become aware of your reading situation, ask yourself questions like:
 What do I want (or need) to know and learn?
 In which context do I want (or need) this?
 Which texts could suit these needs?
 What made me choose this text?
 How deeply an understanding of the text do I need?
 How much time have I got?
 How do I want to proceed?

Consider Your Purpose
To help you determine a purpose, consider the following ideas:
 Are you looking for brief information, main ideas, complete comprehension, or detailed analysis?
 How will this text help you?
 Is this the best material to meet your goals?
 What does background or summary information provided by the author or editor predict the text will do?
 Does there seem to be a clear introduction and conclusion that can be useful? Where?

 What claims does the author make at the beginnings and endings of sections?
 Are there key words that are repeated or put in bold or italics to help you skim and scan?
 What kinds of development and detail do you notice? Does the text include statistics, tables, and pictures or is it primarily prose? Are names of authors or characters repeated frequently?
Look for Specific Words
 Scan a section for key words.
 Skim to the words that provide meaning and may be useful for you and your purpose.

Become an Impatient Reader
Speed readers are considered impatient readers. They read with a purpose and want to find answers immediately. They can’t wait to find out what the whole text is all about that they usually make predictions and guess the answers.
Some readers say, "If I think ahead while I am reading, my predictions may be wrong."

The truth is, predicting is useful because all your concentration is focused on the reading and you are actually making senses of it. Speed readers predict what the text is likely to tell them next, but they are not upset if a prediction is wrong; they quickly adjust their expectations.
Different Speeds for Different Materials

You do not need to read every word to understand a text; however some texts will require careful reading, so you need to know when to adjust your reading speed. Skim a text, and then decide if a slower reading approach is necessary.

Practice Activity
In order to avoid reading every word, you must increase the rate your eyes move across the page. As a practice activity, choose an easy material for to read. Sweep your eyes faster across the page than you’ve ever done before. Do not mouth the words; do not even mentally say them. Start with short practice periods, e.g. 3 minutes, record your rate (how many words have you read in 3 minutes?), and then continue with longer periods or with texts that are more complicated.

The First Steps in Speed Reading
In reading, your starting position and reading gesture is relevant: sit up straight, with the book being held by your left hand, and with your right hand doing the pacing.

Being already a good reader is a plus factor in attempting to speed read. Otherwise, it may be quite difficult and may take some time. Speed reading program will not work if you have problems comprehending and your vocabulary is too little. In fact, rushing through things you can't understand is actually useless. Yes, you may be able to read fast, but you just won’t understand what you will be reading.

Speed Reading Tips
Read until the end! Do not get tired, discouraged, or bored; don’t just stop reading when you want to. Don’t you know that ideas do become clearer the further you go with the reading materials? After you finish reading, recall the things that you have learned, return to the ideas that seem unclear, and reread them in order to grasp their ideas. When you begin to read, you should:

 Be able to find the answers to the questions you’ve come up with
 Answer guide questions at each chapter (you may see these questions at the beginning or at the end of the chapter)
 Take note of the important words and phrases – underlined, italicized, and bold printed
 Read only one section at a time, and recite the summary of each section afterwards
 Do not ignore captions under pictures, tables, graphs, etc.
 Carefully read and absorb difficult passages. On parts which are not clear, don’t be afraid to stop and reread
Knowing How Deeply to Study the Material
Where you only need the shallowest knowledge of the subject, you can skim the material. This is done by reading only chapter headings, introductions and summaries.

If you need a moderate level of information on a subject, then you can scan the text. Here you read the chapter introductions and summaries in detail, but may speed-read the contents of the chapters – picking out and understanding key words and important concepts. At this level of looking at the document, it is worth paying attention to diagrams and graphs.

Only when you need detailed knowledge of a subject is it worth studying the text. Studying is skimming the material first to get an overview, and afterwards reading it in detail while seeing how the information presented connects to the overall structure of the subject. An effective method of getting the deepest level of understanding on a text is to use a formal method such as SQ3R (discussed in a later chapter).

Do you read every article of every magazine, or every chapter of every book? If so, you're probably spending a lot of time reading stuff you don't need. Remember: You don't need to read all of what you DO read. Be choosy. Select the chapters and articles that are important. Ignore the rest.

 

Monday, November 18, 2013

28.Closing Remarks – Buy A Hybrid Car

share with others what you have learned and discovered regarding hybrid vehicles. Pass on the good word.

Hybrid technologies work hard for you to
 Increase the mileage.
 Reduce emissions and pollutants
 And offers a viable alternative to conventional gas-powered vehicles and automobiles
 It also has more power than the electric car and lots of potential for development and longevity, low operating costs, depreciation and longevity – even resale value will not disappoint!

Hybrids offer an all-rounder good deal, even if the sticker price is still slightly higher than conventional counterparts.

27.Unleashing The Future… – Buy A Hybrid Car

Hybrids are here to stay. There is no denying it. Many are happy with theirs once it graces their lives. The decision is personal and will take time. For each of us the reasons for investing (or not) in a hybrid vehicle will vary. Investing in the environment and future has always served us well as a human populace.

This is no different and time will tell. Auto-consumers are notoriously slow to adapt to changes and new offerings. There are skeptics about hybrids, HEV, fuel-cells, diesel-electric hybrids etc. Japanese, European (German) and North American automakers are all working feverishly to move this market forward. Some are collaborating and even sharing technology in the interest of moving this market forward with some faster momentum.

Call us cheap, lazy, ignorant or power-hungry, comfortable and stuck in our habits…because we do not know or have not had exposure to better, all keep us from trying out new or alternative technologies. Automotive options are no different. We have our bias, prejudices and preferences. It will take time to gain more ground and be mainstream, but hybrids are here to stay. For many, we act like opportunistic environmentalists that will jump at the chance to make a difference and do something special (like cut down on pollution) and vehicle emissions.

For many Hybrids are not as visually appealing and the trend seems to be to make them look more ‘ordinary’ and similar to their gas-guzzling counterparts in an attempt to raise interest and address these ‘uncertainties’ and close-mindedness to odd and weird looking, futuristic designs.

Expensive to some, novelty have-to-have for others, it does still cost more and sometimes you have to wait a long time to take possession, due to automakers NOT being able to keep up with the demand.

We can speculate what the cars of the future would look like.
If they will even be traditional ‘cars’ per se or some other form of personal transportation, like a human-enabled getting around device of some sorts, sky-cars, alternatives?

The human imagination and ability to dream will keep us coming up with innovative new designs and solutions. With the fact that fossil fuels are not a renewable energy resource and stocks depleting around the world, alternatives will certainly keep surfacing that are more efficient, revolutionary and setting a new tone and pace. It is up to us to make the decisions where to invest our money and development.

Green house effects, degrading ozone, devastating impact of noxious fumes and particles in our atmosphere and living environment and more, all motivate and inspire us to do something different. Consider green alternatives in and around your set of wheels, home and lifestyle calls for some different, counter-intuitive thinking and actions, possibly including the choice of buying a hybrid or not.

Saving money, saving the environment, driving something really cool and futuristic, doing the right thing… whatever our personal motivation, hybrid cars will dot our roads and driveways for years to come and more and more are seen
everyday as people try to avoid skyrocketing gas prices. Diesel, hydrogen, fuel-cells, plug-in electric cars, zero-emission vehicles and so on will be in our future in some way, shape or form.

Research into why people actually buy hybrids have shown that it is primarily NOT TO SAVE MONEY. Te motivation and reward seem to be much deeper and personal (varied) than that.

It offers a new alternative, we did not have before.
It is developing and growing, refining and exploring options.
It is reflective of the human capabilities, innovation and potential.
The hybrid does what your old car does not/can not
It is a viable alternative and worth investigating, even investing in
The hybrid gives you the opportunity of looking beyond yourself and your choices, awareness of bigger issues outside or ourselves and our selfish needs and wants.

There really is something else at work for people that buy hybrids
When looking at the popularity of SUV’s for example, the symbolic meaning of a vehicle has to be added to the list of reasons why people buy them, and to explain the explosion in their growth. Hybrids are predicted to be no different. At some point buyers and prospective hybrid car owners will simply not compromise on what they want or perceive to need and desire.

They will not settle for a conventional car, because there are alternatives worth exploring.

For most, safety is still a big issue. Crash test ratings and crumple zones are major concerns on these vehicles. They do not look ‘robust’ enough to withstand a collision and somewhere at the back of most individual’s minds human error and potential accidents still figure into this equation.

Hybrid cars are just one of the ways we explore and leverage imaginative alternatives to our dependency upon oil.

Whether your vehicle of choice offers hybrid power assistance from and Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system and concept styling or you pit yourself to be one of the many new hybrid enthusiasts who are searching for a gasoline-electric automobile practical for family use, there are options and choices available today with more to come in the near future.

The investment decision is personal, the ramifications and impact wider and global.
Something else to also keep a close eye on are hydrogen, alternative fuels, electric cars etc.

For example, one online source is quoted as saying that automaker BMW is actively involved, dedicated and spending much time and money researching practical hydrogen power.

Some say their launch of a hybrid 7 series, is as close as 2010.

It might seem a little too futuristic for some, but it is a real possibility. One online writer phrases it as follows and we happen to agree…

Though it may seem strange to think that hydrogen power may be only a few years away, consider this: many states have already seen and or approved legislation to allow the beginning phases of hydrogen refill station planning and construction.

Things are changing and winds are shifting. The age-old automotive industry is redefining itself and hybrids are just one of the options and channels through which this is happening.

There is a clear trend, commitment and dedication to the development and implementation of hybrid technology.

Most if not all automakers have hybrids lined up for launch and production. Experiments with public transit and low emission buses are on-going.

Hybrid trucks and work equipment is next in line and not far behind, with increasingly commercial options becoming available. It is the choice to be making and supply and demand will fuel this market for years to come.

Whether under development or scheduled to roll of the production line Hybrids are here to stay. Combination hybrid technologies will soon invade most new releases.

You do not have to be a fierce environmentalist or tree-hugger to see the value and potential of a hybrid vehicle.

Like with anything else that is new and innovative skeptics and critics will have their say, automakers are getting ready for what they anticipate consumers will be wanting in the years to come. Future generation drivers, students and researchers are working tirelessly to come up with alternatives to fossil-fuel dependent, gas guzzlers.

Governments and interest groups are working together to create the right type of environment for these hybrids to thrive in.

Educate yourself on the different options, pricing and hybrids available
Learn from numerous sources everything and as much as you can about the hybrids you are interested in or considering

Get some hands-on driving experiences and test-drives under your belt to help you make up your mind – put theory into practice and to the test for yourself.
Keep a keen eye on the new technologies and models that are making their way onto and into the market.

Not all hybrids are created equal – ensure that you understand exactly what the term means for the vehicle that you are buying

If it makes sense, compare it with conventional vehicles (cost, fuel economy, drag etc.)

Do not compromise your main considerations and wants. Pick the hybrid that is most suitable for you and your budget, commute and driving challenges.
We each have our very own personal bias, prejudices, preferences and motivations for buying a hybrid vehicle - make your list of top three things you definitely want, must haves, need to haves and ‘pleasers’ BEFORE going shopping for your hybrid.

Financial, monetary and economic reasons for buying a hybrid are REAL! It make economic sense, with tax incentives and rebates coming your way as a reward for the choice that you have made.

Figure out for yourself, WHY exactly you want and are buying a hybrid vehicle. Is it the technology, the gas-savings, fuel economy, eco-friendly aspects etc. This will help you talk to dealers and sales representatives better, communicating exactly what you want, not settling for anything less.

Know which hybrids are available and what they cost (remember base model pricing is common, added features and other fees have to be added onto this price).

Expect to pay more for your hybrid vehicle, new technology tends to be priced higher.

Low to zero emission vehicles, alternative transportations eco-friendly machines will keep making their way into our lives and a set of wheels to reflect this orientation is just another piece of the overall puzzle.

Understanding the technology better will help you drive, maintain and get the most fuel economy from your vehicle.

Optimizing your gas mileage and driving at an optimal speed for maximum efficiency become possible with a little better grasp of the fundamentals, the nuts and bolts of how your hybrid engine actually works.

The FIVE types of hybrid technologies out there and asking about what exactly is going on under-hood to make it a ‘hybrid’ makes you an informed and empowered consumer and decision-maker.

26.Is the Hybrid Car for You? – Buy A Hybrid Car

Again, buying a car has a complex set of very personally motivated aspects and selection criteria that varies for different people and groups.

In general terms, Hybrids are…
 All-round better for the environment
 provides you with all the essentials of a gasoline-engine car
 saves you money on fuel costs.
 Hybrids tend to be between $1,500 and $2,000 more expensive upfront
 tax refunds and rebates are available for the purchase of hybrid for that money
 A viable, affordable alternative
If you are looking to buy a new car, consider a hybrid vehicle that will help BOTH the environment and your wallet, The most popular being the Prius and Insight as well as the new Civic Hybrid. Good luck with your hybrid purchase.

What To Avoid When Buying A Hybrid
 $$ MATTER AND ARE STILL MORE EXPENSIVE.
 Limited variety and choice for consumers, but the base is growing with more and more models making their way onto the market and even more in development.
 Concept cars, Hybrids, diesel-electric, fuel-cell, and bio-fuel/alternative renewable fuel-sources, cleaner with less emissions are also on offer.
 Hybrid and or HEVs are no silver bullet and ONE-answer solution, or only alternative
 Maintenance, running and repair costs might still be slightly higher.
 Understanding the hybrid technology and having realistic expectations of it will also serve you well. Do as much upfront research as you possibly can
 Be objective in your decision-making and compare/contrast the current hybrid offerings on the market and pick the one most suited to your needs and requirements as well as custom selection criteria which you prioritized earlier.
 Ask yourself about your driving and commuting, distance, location and whether it is an economical decision to invest in a hybrid or not.
 You always have the option to wait for some more models to make their way onto the market as well.
 Take advantage of any monetary, tax incentives or rebates on offer.
 The true ‘hybrid’ nature and environmental performance of specific models can vary greatly. Pick the one that resonates best with your personal motivations, goals and rewards.

24.Getting Better Mileage From A Hybrid Car – Buy A Hybrid Car

Increasing mileage and taking advantage of fuel economy is a major motivator for many who opt to invest in these vehicles

1. Driving Slower – It is a known fact that the drag on your car will increase the faster you drive. The drive force at 70 mph is double that at 50 mph (How Stuff Works). Slowing down can increase your mileage.

2. Try to maintain a constant speed – remember that each time you speed up your car has to use more energy.

3. Avoid abrupt stops – the electric motor in the hybrid cars take energy out of the car when is has to stop. If you give the motor more time to slow the car then it will be able to recover more of the energy.

How do I get Maximum Fuel Efficiency?
I found this interesting question from HowStuffWorks.com, as it tried to explain how to figure this part of owning a Hybrid out. It forms part of the motivation and value-proposition of hybrid vehicles and might help you make up your mind if it is for you or not.

One of the tips to increase gas mileage is to travel at a constant speed. The question is, what is that magical speed that will give you the most out of your fuel.

To explain this we must know how much power it takes to push a car down the road. The power required is explained by the following equation:
road load power = av + bv2 + cv3

The letter v represents the velocity of the car, and the letters a, b and c represent three different constants:

* The a component comes mostly from the rolling resistance of the tires, and friction in the car's components, like drag from the brake pads, or friction in the wheel bearings.

* The b component also comes from friction in components, and from the rolling resistance in the tires. But it also comes from the power used by the various pumps in the car.

* The c component comes mostly from things that affect aerodynamic drag like the frontal area, drag coefficient and density of the air.

This equation says that if you double your speed, you will increase the power required by much more than double. A hypothetical medium sized SUV that requires 20 at 50 mph might require 100 horsepower at 100 mph.

By plugging some speeds into the equation we can see how a 1 mph increase from 2 to 3 mph compares with a 1 mph increase from 50 to 51 mph. To make things easy we'll assume a, b and c are all equal to 1

Speed     Equation   Result

3 mph     3+32+33   39

2 mph     2+22+23   14

Power Increase 25

51 mph 51+512+513 135,303

50 mph 50+502+503 127,550

Power Increase 7,753
(Source: © http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question477.htm)

If this is a major concern of yours when selecting or opting to buy a Hybrid, bear in mind that purchasing is only half the equation. Using and maintaining the vehicle and on-going responsibility. Driving it as such to get the maximum benefit from the hybrid technology also important.

23.Toyota Prius Insight – Buy A Hybrid Car

 Toyota‘s top-seller hybrid and mass favorite the Prius.
 Launched in 1997 in Japan
 Designed originally to reduce emissions in cities.
 Pricing starts at about $20,000 for the base model.
 Four door sedan seating up to five people.
 Gas engine turns off and on while driving.
 The gas engine doesn’t start until the car reaches the speed of 12 mph.
 Provides extremely low emissions when traveling in crowded areas.
 Travels 50 miles per gallon, which helps with fuel costs.
 According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a set of Pruis’ were tested and had an overall average of 41.9 miles per gallon.
Toyota Prius
(Source: © http://sayhenry.com/future.htm)

22.Honda Insight – Buy A Hybrid Car

 Honda’s version of the hybrid car is called the Insight,
 Pricing starts at around $19,000 for the base model.
 Introduced in 2000
 Sold and marketed as getting the best possible mileage and being good for he environment
 It is a two-door coupe, small and very lightweight.
 1.0L engine that weighs only 124 pounds and is the primary source of power.
 Additional power is provided by an electric motor which is powered by a 120 cell rechargeable battery.
 The gas engine provides power when the car is in motion It shuts off at stop lights and stop signs and automatically restarts itself when you press the gas pedal again.
 The Insight can reach speeds of 100 mph and averages around 60 overall.
 Aerodynamic shape allows it to have the low coefficient drag (Cd) of 0.25.
 The Honda Civic Hatchback in comparison has a Cd of 0.36 and requires more than 32% more power to reach the same speed.
 According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a set of Insights were tested and had an overall average of 46.8 miles per gallon.
Honda Insight
(Source: © http://sayhenry.com/future.htm)

21.Hybrid Car Comparison – Buy A Hybrid Car

Benefits And Advantages Of Owning A Hybrid Car
If you are still not convinced that a hybrid is right for you, that is perfectly fine.

JUST NOTE AND REMEMBER:

There are definite differences between a gasoline-engine car and a hybrid car. Look around you. Ask yourself. Have you seen a hybrid vehicle in the last week? It is true, more and more they are making their way onto our roads, driveways, parking lots and garages.

Just to illustrate a point ‘hybrid machines’ like these have been in use in other equipment long before personal commute vehicles and transportation we see today. Diesel-electric trains and locomotives, buses, submarines and cruise-ships (nuclear-electric).

HYBRID CAR FACT: Honda and Toyota lead the way and they plan to keep experimenting with these two sources of power. A hybrid car is a cross between a gasoline-powered car and an electric car.

Why do we want to Use Hybrid Cars?
 It is designed specifically for a purpose and intent – clean running and efficient.
 Increasing the mileage
 Reducing the emissions of a gas-powered car
 Having more power than the electric car.
 Cut down on unnecessary pollution
 Avoid rising gasoline pricing and costly fill-ups at the pump
 Enough horsepower to deliver the power and performance that you need.
 Engine is much lighter so that the car will not have to use extra energy in order to accelerate.
 Components are smaller requiring less fuel using less fuel when starting up, getting better gas mileage, using less all-round!

HYBRID CAR FACT: For a gasoline-powered car a fuel tank supplies gasoline to the engine of that car. The engine turns the transmission, which causes the wheels to turn and the car to move.

A hybrid car differs from the gasoline-powered car because a set of batteries provides electricity to an electric motor. This turns the transmission, and the transmission turns the wheels.

 Fuel-efficient, eco-friendly and conscious, stylish
There are many great reasons to invest in hybrids. Some individuals or interest groups will argue that the pricing is still too high, technology too expensive. Fact is the market is growing and expanding with more models launching every year and automakers jumping at the chance to infuse their market. Stay tuned… this is NOT just another fad!

Here are quick examples for your review of TWO GREAT cars that are available right now! They are also amongst the top sellers, high in demand and most frequently purchased.

20.Why focus on automobiles?2 – Buy A Hybrid Car

The following groups support the CLEAR ACT:

 Ford Motor Company
 Honda
 Toyota
 Union of Concerned Scientists
 Natural Resources Defense Council
 Environmental Defense
 American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
 Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition

There are numerous online tools that will show you what the most fuel efficient alternative is/can be to your current automobile.

It basically takes the class and general specifications of your car and shows you a set of practical alternatives that are actually better for the environment.
Here is one such sample:

http://www.hybrid-car.org/alternative/aston%20martin/

Step 1: Select the make of your current vehicle.

ACURA ASTON MARTIN AUDI BENTLEY BMW BUICK CADILLAC CHEVROLET CHRYSLER DODGE FERRARI FORD GMC HONDA HYUNDAI INFINITI ISUZU JAGUAR JEEP KIA LAMBORGHINI LAND ROVER
LEXUS LINCOLN LINCOLN-MERCURY LOTUS MASERATI MAZDA MERCEDES-BENZ MERCURY MINI MITSUBISHI NISSAN PONTIAC PORSCHE ROLLS-ROYCE SAAB SATURN SUBARU SUZUKI TOYOTA VOLKSWAGEN VOLVO

This program will output a selection of alternative vehicles based on engine size, vehicle class, and fuel economy.
TRY IT OUT!

ALSO, keep a keen eye on the new product launches and innovations making their way onto the market.

In surveying and weighing your options for a hybrid vehicle, you will want to consider:
 Size
 Price
 Gas Mileage
 Appearance

SOME MORE QUICK FACTS AND HISTORY ABOUT HYBRIDS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE, MOST SUITED TO YOUR NEEDS, BUDGET AND REQUIREMENTS

The Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Toyota Prius are the four hybrid cars available to purchase from dealers today. The Ford Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid SUV available, but additional choices now available are the Lexus RX 400h, Toyota Highlander and Mariner Hybrid.

NOTE # 1: Future 2007 models not discussed here are the Lexus GS 450h hybrid sedan, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and Nissan Altima Hybrid.

NOTE # 2 : some cars like the Toyota Prius, due to their popularity and high-demand, may have a waiting period of two to nine months, as order-filling and delivery takes time.

Size (always start with what you know/think you are/will be comfortable with)
 Space-saving, trunk space, driver/passenger comfort, dimensions
 Getting in and out of the car
 Sometimes the trunk is smaller for storage of the battery
 How many passengers can it take?

Here are some examples from online offerings and specifications:
 The Honda Civic Hybrid is a compact sedan that seats five
 Pruis 2nd generation much more roomier and even comes in a hatchback version (mid-size).
 Accord also has a mid-size offering
 Lexus will add a sporty GS 450h hybrid sedan
 5- passenger Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) Ford Escape, or Mariner Hybrid. They are available in two and four wheel-drive models.
 NO MINIVANS
 Toyota's Highlander Hybrid is the only hybrid that seats seven passengers.

Price
 Ranges in US $ from $19,000 to over $49,000 (base models).
 Typically MORE expensive, as much as $3,000 – 5,000 + MORE than their non-hybrids
 Insight and Lexus at the low and high point of the pricing scale.
 Price List:
- 2006 Honda Insight, $19,330 manual transmission ($21,530 for automatic)
- 2006 Toyota Prius, $21,2745,
- 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, $21,850
- 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid, $30,140.
- 2006 Ford Escape hybrid begins at $27,515 for the two-wheel drive version and $28,595 for four-wheel drive.
- 2006 Mariner Hybrid $29,840 (four wheel drive is standard.)
- 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid begins at $33,030 for the two-wheel drive version and $34,430 for four-wheel drive.
- 2006 Lexus RX400h $49,060.

HYBRID CAR FACT: Don't forget, THESE PRICES QUOTED HERE ARE PRICED, MSRP for the base model. Any additional features will increase the cost!

Fuel Economy and Gas Mileage
EPA estimates are higher than for internal combustion engine vehicles
designed to get the best mileage
MANUAL TRANSMISSION: As much as 60 mpg in the city and 66 mpg on the highway
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS: 57 city/56 highway
Prius and Honda Civic comes close too!

Here are some more quoted online facts and statistics on fuel economy:
- Up until model year 2006 the Honda Civic Hybrid was available with a manual transmission that was rated at 46 city/51 highway; the automatic at 48 city/47 highway. The 2006 the Civic Hybrid has been redesigned and is only available with an automatic transmission with epa mpg estimates of 50 hwy/50 city.
- The Honda Accord Hybrid is rated at 29 city/37 highway.
- The Ford Escape is rated at 36 city/31 highway. That is much better than a non-hybrid Escape that is only rated at 22 city/25 highway.
- The Mariner is rated at 33 city/ 29 highway.
- The Lexus RX 400h is rated at a still-respectable 31 city/27 mpg highway.
- The Toyota Highlander, being the largest of the hybrid

SUVs gets the lowest mpg and is at 22 city/27 highway.

Appearance
When it comes to what the car looks like, you are dealing with personal preferences. Ask yourself some tough questions:
- What do you want for the look of your car?
- Similar or different, unconventional style, daring?
- Unique and futuristic appeal to you?
- Aerodynamic?
- When you look at it for the first time, do you love or hate it? Do you want them looking just like their non-hybrid counterparts?
Test drives are recommended and advisable PLUS IT IS FUN!)
Ask about City MPG , Highway MPG and MSRP

Here is a quick comparison of hybrid cars and hybrid SUVs.
The comparison of the hybrids includes:
 the hybrid's name
 EPA gas mileage estimate for city
 EPA gas mileage estimate for highway
 the hybrid's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
The hybrid with the highest fuel economy is on the top of the chart, the hybrid with the lowest fuel economy is at the bottom.

As you might expect, the two-seat Honda Insight tops the list again, as it has since it's inception. As you might also expect, hybid SUVs are at the bottom of the list; the 4 wheel drive version of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h. But remember, these SUV are still getting 31 city and 27 hwy, that's pretty darn good for an SUV.

Hybrid Car Comparison

Hybrid                           City mpg Hwy mpg  MSRP
Honda Insight -Manual         60       66         $19,530
Honda Insight -CVT             57       56         $21,530
Toyota Prius                       60       51         $21,725
Honda Civic Hybrid               49       51         $21,850
Honda Accord Hybrid            29       37         $30,140
Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD       36        31        $27,515
Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD       33        29        $29,140
Mercury Mariner Hybrid         33        29         $29,225
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD  33       28         $33,030

Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD  31       27         $34,430
Lexus RX 400h                     31       27         $49,060

19.Why focus on automobiles? – Buy A Hybrid Car

The CLEAR ACT focuses primarily on promoting a responsible and secure energy policy through vehicles because alternate and advanced fuel technologies are more economical and effective than industrial or domestic options. Additionally, "transportation accounts for nearly 2/3 of all oil consumption." Use of these technologies can help reduce our overwhelming dependence on foreign oil.

Why give tax breaks?

Alternative fuel vehicles cost more than their traditional gasoline powered brethren, and tax breaks help to fill that gap. In his Senate press conference, Orrin Hatch (Republican-Utah) attributed the localized high demand for hybrids:
"I have heard one or two people question the need for incentives for hybrid vehicles... it may be true that demand for these vehicles is high in a few areas... [that] tend to have local or state incentives in place for the purchase of these vehicles.

Where incentives are not in place, hybrid sales are minimal... incentives can indeed provide a market breakthrough to consumer acceptance of alternative vehicles."

You can help support cleaner air and a more responsible energy policy BY BUYING A HYBRID VEHICLE!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

18.What would motivate us to buy Hybrid cars – Buy A Hybrid Car

What would motivate us to buy Hybrid cars – the more we know… Spread the word. By linking to this page, you can help spread the word about the CLEAR ACT. For your convenience, sample code is provided below.
http://www.hybrid-car.org/clear-act-2005.html

We include it here to show how government and business, as well as automakers and consumers, are ALL working together to cement hybrid cars and vehicle technologies into our options and choices:

The CLEAR ACT (Clean Efficient Automobiles Resulting from Advanced Car Technologies Act) is an effort to accelerate the development of eco-friendly automotive technologies and their assimilation into the automotive market by providing strategic tax breaks and incentives to consumers and infrastructure developers.

The purpose of the CLEAR ACT is to "promote cleaner air by reducing the consumption of petroleum and advancing alternate fuels."

The automotive technologies promoted by the CLEAR ACT are those used in fuel cell vehicles, which use compressed hydrogen gas to generate electricity to power an electric motor; hybrid electric vehicles, which use an electric motor to assist a gasoline powered engine; dedicated alternative fuel vehicles, which use alternative fuels such as natural gas, LPG, and LNG to power a combustion engine; and battery electric vehicles, which rely on an onboard rechargeable battery to power an electric motor.

Through the use of the tax incentives detailed below, the CLEAR ACT would lower the major barriers associated with acceptance of alternative fuel technologies; the higher cost of the vehicles, the lack of fueling stations providing alternative fuels, (also known as infrastructure) and the higher cost of alternative fuels.

 A $4,000 base tax credit awarded for the purchase of a

fuel cell vehicle, and an additional credit of up to $4,000; depending on the fuel economy performance.

 A $1,000 base tax credit awarded for the purchase hybrid electric fuel vehicle, and an additional credit of up to $3,000; depending on fuel economy.

 A $2,500 base tax credit awarded for the purchase of a dedicated alternative fuel vehicle, and an additional credit of up to $1,500 for AFV's that achieve a Super Ultra Low Emissions rating.

 A $4,000 base tax credit awarded for the purchase of a battery electric vehicle, and an additional credit of up to $2,000 for vehicles with extended range or payload capabilities.

 The CLEAR ACT offers a range of credits for medium and heavy duty vehicles. Fuel cell or battery electric medium or heavy duty vehicles earn a tax credit of up to $40,000; medium or heavy alternative fuel vehicles earn a tax credit of up to $32,000; and medium or heavy hybrid electric vehicles earn a tax credit of up to $24,000.

 A credit of 50 cents for every gallon of gas equivalent is provided to retail distributors will be provided for 6 years as an incentive.

 In addition to the fuel credit, the CLEAR ACT provides a credit of up to $30,000 to assist with the actual costs of installing an alternative fuel site that is available to the public.

17.Sports Utility Vehicles – Buy A Hybrid Car

The only hybrid SUV currently on the market is the Ford Escape
Up and coming:

TWO MODELS - Lexus RX 400h and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
(see listings elsewhere for more details)

16.Midsize Cars – Buy A Hybrid Car

AGAIN ONLY TWO TO CHOOSE FROM:

(i) The new Honda Accord IMA

(ii) the second generation Toyota Prius

NOTE: only hybrids available in this class

 The Accord add both power and fuel efficiency

 Prius fuel economy and reduction in greenhouse gases

 New and used models available

15.Compact Hybrid Cars – Buy A Hybrid Car

TWO CHOICES HERE TO HIGHLIGHT:
Honda Civic Hybrid and first generation Toyota Prius

 Civic is the pioneer into the mainstream auto-market and the top-selling vehicle

 first hybrid vehicle to achieve Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle status under California's Zero Emission Vehicle program. The Civic is a mild hybrid

 The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid

 Can drive solely on its electric motor – gained a lot of competitive ground lately and a crowd pleasing favorite pick.

 Also used and new versions and models available.

14.Two-Seater Hybrid Vehicles – Buy A Hybrid Car

YOUR CHOICE IS EASY = THERE IS ONLY ONE!

 Honda Insight

 most affordable hybrid cars available for sale,

 priced under $20,000 US

 eco-friendly car, with high fuel economy

 DISTINCTIVE FEATURE: highest EPA rated fuel economy

 

 

13.HYBRID CAR FACTS REVIEW – Buy A Hybrid Car

HYBRID CAR FACTS REVIEW: Here's how hybrid technology works again : (From an online source – see reference listing at the back of this text for more details).

Hybrid systems use two sources of power to move a vehicle — the engine and the battery. In the parallel hybrid system, the diesel engine acts as a generator, producing the electrical power needed to keep the battery charged.

The engine is attached to a drive unit that provides an infinitely variable power ratio to the wheels. This allows the engine in a hybrid system to run more efficiently, quietly and cleanly.

This brings us to the question as to how you would make up your mind as to which hybrid to buy? This guide was set up to help you determine which model hybrid car of which model year, is best for you’re your needs and budget.

Educate, inform and empower yourself, by providing relevant information you need to make the right choice.
Please opt for ONE of the following statements. Choose the one that suites you best:

ASK AND ANSWER: Which statement best describes you?

1. The hybrid I am looking for has to be a Two Seater.

2. I prefer a Compact Car.

3. For me, a Midsize Car will do.

4. I'm looking for an SUV.

12.Hybrid Car Facts – Buy A Hybrid Car

Hybrid Car Facts: QUICK CHEATSHEET SUMMARY

 Hybrid cars produce substantially (up to 90%) less pollutants than comparable non-hybrid cars.

 POLLUTION CAN BE STOPPED! Hybrid cars help us do that by putting less of them there in the first place! Maybe we will even be in a position to do something positive about the air we live and breathe in.

 Tax incentives and write-offs, rebates and other forms of encouragement for consumers to invest in hybrid vehicles will become more prevalent.

 What is the gold standard today, quickly becomes the prerequisite or entry-requirement for tomorrow.

 Parts, maintenance and repair for hybrid cars can be somewhat expensive. Warrantees and parts that never have to be replaces, can be recycled are used a type of SMART manufacturing to be really environmentally friendlier.

 Hybrid vehicles offer great investment opportunity due to their slow and low depreciation. They are still very much in high demand

 Market entry in Japan started as early as 1997, a little later in Europe and in the USA.

 They will last a little longer and will not be just another passing craze. They are here to stay and people want to buy them, learn about them, drive and enjoy them!

 Automakers are investing heavily in all types of vehicle development and specifically hybrid technology, to enable them to offer faster, larger engines in the rest of their line, (due to federal government regulations that apply to them across the board that they have to adhere to).

 Anyone and everyone can consider, enjoy and capitalize on hybrid technologies for the cars that we choose to drive!

Hybrid Vehicles and technology is the wave of the future we have now stated twice already. It has numerous applications and context outside of passenger and commuter cars and SUV’s or personal, family transportation.

Space eludes to elaborate about buses, trains and other work vehicles that are hybrids.

One example often quotes is the GMability sponsored hybrid bus program, where GM's Allison Electric Drives System powers environmentally-friendly buses as part of the public transit systems and networks in many cities around the globe.

HERE IS HOW THE HYBRID TECHNOLOGY MAKES A DIFFERENCE:

 delivers up to 60 percent better fuel economy than the conventional diesel systems used in city buses.

 much lower hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions than normal diesel buses

 It effectively lowers ‘particle emissions’ (tiny pieces of soot and dust) by 90 percent

 Reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 50 percent

 deliver 50 percent better acceleration than a bus equipped with a normal diesel power-train.

11.What Motivates You To Buy – Buy A Hybrid Car

What Motivates You To Buy/Not Buy A Hybrid Car
What To Look For And How To Make Up Your Mind

Pay close attention to its appeal and promise, potential and possibilities – these are all factors that draw in the masses and the diverse crowd of interested consumers in these new automotive genius on our roads. Here just some of the ‘perks’ and bonuses:

 Eco-smart and environmentally conscious we can all certainly appreciate the qualities and benefits that these vehicles bring with them.

 Fuel economy

 Reduced emissions, less pollution,

 slower depreciation

 great savings for the pocketbook,

 less reliance on fossil fuels in the future

 Lower fuel emissions help to curb the infamous "Greenhouse Effect" and saves the ozone and atmosphere, the air that we and children are left to breathe and live off of

 High-demand for Hybrid cars let them hold their value much longer as supply and demand still fuels these fires!

 Burning of fossil fuels are reduced effectively,

supplemented and complemented by alternative power

sources Annual savings on gas, better fuel economy,

needing less. Alternative solutions to gasoline, internal

combustion engines that are no more or less effective,

just worse pollutants or our air and world!

10.Different Types of Hybrid Cars – Buy A Hybrid Car

MORE ON parallel hybrids

- uses both a fuel tank with gasoline and a set of batteries. Both the engine and the electric motor can turn the transmission at the same time.

- fuel tank and the gas engine connect to the transmission and the batteries and electric motor connect to the transmission separately.
MORE ON series hybrids

- gasoline engine turns a generator

- generator either charges the batteries or powers the electric motor that is used to turn the transmission.

- gasoline engine is not used to power the vehicle directly.

- all of the components eventually connect with the transmission
Hybrid cars typically produce less power. They are however very light weight

and well designed to compensate for that. Typically, carbon fiber or aluminum is used.

Aerodynamic characteristics are more prevalent than on most other cars, cutting down on drag and wind resistance, noise etc. Excellent fuel economy and helping the environment by cutting down on pollution are definite bonuses from driving these vehicles.

9.But How Exactly Do Hybrid Cars Work? – Buy A Hybrid Car

It is a passenger, commuter vehicle, powered by a ‘hybrid’ engine. What that means is, an engine that combines two or more sources of power. In most cases, they will be gasoline and electricity.

There are two types of gasoline-electric hybrid cars:

(i)the parallel hybrid, and

(ii) the series hybrid.

Both use gasoline-electric hybrid technology, but in radically different ways.
Our scientists from Hybrid center online, quotes and summarized the differences as follows:

 In a parallel hybrid car, a gasoline engine and an electric motor work together to move the car forward,

 In a series hybrid, the gasoline engine directly powers an electric motor that either powers the vehicle, or charges batteries that will power the motor.