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Guest Post – Why should I Buy An Electric Hybrid Vehicle?

Electric Hybrids combine the advantages of Electric motors and petrol engines. The electric motor slows the wheels down thus converting energy by acting as a generator, into electricity. This is then stored in the battery awaiting use by the electric motor.

This electric motor also means a smaller, more efficient engine can be used as the electric motor adds more power to accelerate, overtake or climb hills. The engine shuts off instinctively when the vehicle stops and starts again once the accelerator is pressed. This stops energy from being wasted at its minimum R.P.M

taken from wikimedia.org

Toyota Prius V Hybrid Car Family

So how much can I expect to pay?

Despite their innovative designs and impressive properties, hybrid vehicles are more affordable than you might think. They cost between $22,000 (£11,000) and $100,000 (£50,000), so although the initial outlay could be around 20% more than a standard fuel car, together with allowing between $3000 (£1500) and $6000 (£3000) depending on the type of battery you require, the hybrid is still very likely to be a better deal economically in the long run, mainly due to the fact that they run on either no or very little oil based product compared to a standard vehicle. Your finance options to assist your purchase in this difficult economic climate include personal loans, extending your mortgage, balance transfers or the more traditional Hire Purchase route.

Are Hybrids durable in the long-term?

The world’s first Toyota Prius taxi cab driver, BC’s Andrew Grant used his Prius on a daily basis. After 3 years of this continuous use, his Prius was proudly displaying over 180,000 miles with only a few very minor problems. Grant has now bought a new generation Prius and is an inspiration to taxi-drivers who are willing to keep up to date with technology.

Would I need to plug it in at night?

No, it can be filled up at the petrol station just like any other petrol car. The beauty of it is that it never needs to be recharged from an external power supply as the powerful electric motor that supports the petrol – engine runs on a battery that charges itself when the car stops or runs down.

How reliable is the technology?

Honda are so happy with the reliability of their hybrid vehicles that they back up their motor and IMA battery with an 8 year warranty. They can afford to have this level of confidence in both their motor and battery having sold half a million reliable vehicles worldwide so far.

Are you sure they aren’t just one of the latest crazes?

Believe it or not, the first production hybrid arrived in the U.K in 1999. As the cars look so modern and futuristic it is hard to believe they’ve been around for over a decade. They really do offer an opportunity for drivers who wish to remain green without their levels of performance and comfort becoming compromised.

taken from wikimedia.org

US HEV Sales by model 1999 2009

Are there any other reasons I should consider purchasing a Hybrid?

Honda state their company car drivers tax liability starts from less than £30 per month for a UK Tax-payer at the current rate of 20%. This is due to a low 10% BIK banding. Another advantage is that cars under 110g/km CO2 fall into the most advantageous tax allowance bands of outright purchase and leasing, meaning companies pay less tax.

Why choose a Hybrid over an electric car?

Unlike a hybrid, sub 120g/km petrol cars are typically small and don’t offer enough space for passengers to sit comfortably.

How does a Hybrid compare to environmentally friendly Diesel?

Diesel costs more at the pump, even though they do have a similar mpg and there is also the disadvantage of increased driver tax. Petrol hybrids exhaust gases and are also cleaner than that of diesel producing less oxides of Nitrogen

Do any celebrities drive Hybrid cars?

Early adaptors of hybrids are rumoured to include Cameron Diaz, David Hyde-Pierce, Jack Black, Harrison Ford, Will Ferrell and Brad Pitt. This could be a potential chance to be inspired to drive something similar to your celebrity idol as this can only enhance your cool and green status!

Online Conference to Zero in on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Electric Vehicles Virtual Summit 2011 to feature perspectives of leading technology innovators, analysts, and utilities.

November 28, 2011 (CHICAGO) – The Smart Grid Observer, an online news portal serving the global smart grid industry, will conduct a one-day, 100% online conference devoted to the latest trends in electric vehicle markets and technology, with special emphasis on charging infrastructure and its impact on the electrical utility grid.  The goal of the Virtual Summit on Thursday, December 8 is to give utility professionals a more accurate understanding of evolving requirements for this critical application of the smart grid.

“This is a key concern for utilities,” says Daniel Coran, editor of the Smart Grid Observer.  “The online format of this event allows professionals from around the world to share perspectives and strategies for addressing this emerging challenge.”

It has been estimated that even just two customers on the same distribution transformer who plug in their electric vehicle to a 6.6 kW charging station during peak time could easily cause the transformer’s total load to exceed emergency rating.  And charging at night can present other stress factors, when the system traditionally cools down during off-peak hours in preparation for the next day.

The Virtual Summit is designed to help utilities understand and prepare for the coming load that electric vehicles will place on the grid. The event consists of a series of in-depth presentations that examine the latest technology trends and market drivers behind EVs, batteries, and charging infrastructure, as well as the business models and engineering strategies for effectively accommodating the coming mass-market move to the electric vehicle.

Topics to be covered include:

- Driving Electric Vehicles Towards Mainstream: Examining Market Drivers and Growth

- The Evolving Space of EVs: From the Vehicle to the Charger

- Observations from the Front Lines: Understanding EV Adoption, Usage and Best Practices

-BatteryTechnologies: Latest Advances & Promising Trends

- Electrical Safety and Performance Testing

- Smart Connection of EVs into the Electric Grid

- Off-Grid Solar Charging and Lithium-Ion Energy Storage

- Connecting and ProtectingBatterySystems

- What is Missing to Take EVs to the Mass Market?

Speakers include:

- Arun Banskota, President, eVgo / NRG

- Dave Hurst, Senior Analyst, Pike Research

- Brett Hauser, Chief Operating Officer, EV Connect

- Saturo Oyama, Principal Anayst, Japan Research, IHS iSuppli Market Intelligence

- Christopher Bowler, General Manager-Marketing, GE Energy

- Larry Butkovich, General Manager, EV Systems,FujiElectric

- Uwe Hauck, Director Global Technology, TE connectivity

- Rich Byczek, Technical Lead – Electric Vehicle & Energy Storage, Intertek

- Dr. Rajit Gadh, Founding Director,SmartGridEnergyResearchCenter, UCLA

- Lee Bristol, Co-Founder and Commercial Channel Manager, Standard Solar

- Jake Edie, Vice President, DBT USA

- Kit Hagen, Global Solutions Lead – Utilities, Convergys

The flexible, full-day format allows registrants from around the world to attend according to their convenience and schedules.  Recordings of all presentations in audio and PowerPoint format will be available for three months after the event.  Attendees will be able to interact live with presenters and fellow attendees via teleconference and text chat areas.

Early bird registration of 20% off the regular rate is valid through November 25.  For more information and to register, visit http://www.smartgridobserver.com/index-evvs.htm.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Daniel R. Coran

Editor, Smart Grid Observer

+1-815-331-6133

dcoran@smartgridobserver.com

2nd EV Charging Infrastructure & Grid Integration 2012

Free Classified pages for small and medium businesses now on EVHUB.IN

Hello Visitor

Now EVHUB.IN is ready with its free online classified pages for small and medium businesses to keep their online profile and halp them reach their potential buyers or sellers.

Visit our Yellowpages webpage - http://www.evhub.in/localads

List your business on EVHUB.IN – go to http://evhub.in/localads/ads/form/post-you-ad-for-free/

Contact us to info@evhub.in if any clarifications.

With best regards

EVHUB.IN Team

Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Forum 2011 3rd-4th November 2011, Prague

At Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Forum 2011 (3^rd-4^th November  2011, Prague) Paul Braun (University of Illinois) will present nanostructured batteries that allows to recharge them in less then 5 minutes. This will be his first presentation on this topic in Europe.

Do not miss this unique chance to hear about this ground breaking technology and also:

• hear how the industry leaders implemented practical solutions in designing and using hybrid & electric vehicles
• learn about the advances and challenges of battery development
• as well as standards and regulations within the industry.

The largest and best-known car producers and energy companies are on our speaker panel- Toyota, Opel, Honda, IVECO, ENEL, RWE, etc.

See al of the speakers

Register by 9th September and take advantage of a special rate of 20% off.

Download the agenda or Register here.