Natural Environment Blog

Hybrid cars are often thought of as a new concept, a breakthrough, a rarity. However, when we look deeper into their history, it turns out that hybrids are not as recent an innovation as we might think. In fact, hybrid-engined cars are older than any of us, as their history dates back to the beginning of the 20th century…

How it all started…

Electric cars were invented in the 1860s, several years before petrol-engined vehicles appeared in 1875, but the story of hybrid cars begins in 1902.

The first vehicle that could be called a hybrid, as it used two sources of power, was the ‘Mixte,’ designed by Ferdinand Porsche. The car had a petrol engine to run a generator, which powered electric hub motors. The newly invented vehicle was later produced by several companies such as Krieger, Lohner-Porsche and Auto-Mixte.

…and then came to a standstill

Unfortunately, at that time, petrol-engine technology prevailed. The turning point was when Henry Ford started his first assembly line – the Ford company had developed the idea between 1908 and 1915. Ford introduced many improvements to petrol engines and subsequently decided on mass production to introduce the first affordable car – the Model T.

That car is now a legend.

From then on, the technology for steam-, electric- and hybrid-powered cars was neglected. Few were trying to work on the idea, and it was only when the issues of air pollution and global warming became serious that petrol alternatives were once again brought to the center of attention.

The rising price of oil also played its role and spurred interest in different energy sources. There was a massive increase in the price of oil in the 1970s, and in those years many automotive industry players, with governments’ blessings, came back to the idea of hybrid autos.

In those years, Volkswagen launched a hybrid-engined car (the VW Taxi); Toyota began working on the concept and built its first hybrid prototype; and the American government decided to use electric vehicles produced by American Motors.

A new beginning…

The launch of the Toyota Prius to the Japanese market in 1997 was a breakthrough in hybrid-car history. It was the first mass-produced modern vehicle of that type.

Soon, other manufacturers followed suit and hybrids were launched on the European and American markets. The fastest imitators were Audi and Honda.

Starting off, buyers were cautious and in the first year only 18,000 hybrid cars were sold. Nevertheless, the manufacturers were not discouraged and due to constant improvements, the popularity of hybrid cars has grown. In fact, from 2004–2007 the demand for the Prius was higher than the supply, and waiting lists were created for those willing to buy the car.

Hybrids are back for good

To sum up, it seems that the future of hybrid cars is now secure, as the technology is getting more popular and is supported by many governments. All the major car manufacturers are constantly working on new models and improving the older ones.

It seems that, after a century of neglect, hybrid technology is now here for good and hybrid cars are becoming the norm, not a rarity owned by few.

This post was contributed by Car Buyers’ Guide. Car Buyers’ Guide is the publisher of Ireland’s leading motoring websites and magazines. CBG.ie is the only motoring website to have exclusive partnerships with the leading national newspaper websites (The Iris Times and Independent Newspapers). CBG.ie is visited by buyers over 450,000 times per month and users view over 11.5 million pages on the website per month. 

Find hybrid cars and other cars for sale at Car Buyers’ Guide.

Hybrid cars are becoming much more affordable.

by Jack Taylor

Hybrid autos are often criticized as being expensive, but this false belief needs to change. 

This belief was caused by the high prices that hybrid autos had when the new technology was introduced. If you were to spend more on a hybrid auto than you’d have spent otherwise, you were unlikely to ever get your money back - even if you got rid of a gigantic, fuel-sucking SUV. This may have been true when hybrids were really expensive and the initial cost outweighed the gas savings. But it doesn’t seem to be true anymore.

Today, petrol prices are rising, used cars are getting cheaper, and the new car industry needs to lower the prices to be selling at all. Now, hybrid autos are within the same price range as other new and used cars. 

New Hybrids Cheaper Than Used Ones?

Some estimate that a new hybrid may even be cheaper than the used one. The example car for costs estimation was the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. John O’Dell claims in his article that price drop on the car market combined with the industry’s ubiquitous cut-rate financing offers, has made it cheaper to buy new than used cars. 

The hybrid autos’ manufacturer has lowered the costs of purchasing new cars, so much so, that it was cheaper to buy a 2009 Civic than a year old used one. The research was based on many factors and took into account several reasons for price reductions, like the national interest rate deal when choosing between new and used cars. 

Used Hybrids Cheaper Than Used Non-Hybrids

Extensive research has shown that used hybrid autos have become cheaper than other cars, especially if we take into account the rise in oil prices. 

Research has shown that the 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid with 1.5L 4-cyl engine and 75HP electric motor/generator was far more fuel efficient than other used cars. The Prius’ measured fuel cost on a distance of 676 miles was 39 Euros. Other used cars didn’t even come close.

Surprisingly, driving 2008 Smart ForTwo with 1.0L 3-cyl engine cost 9.7 Euros more. The numbers do not lie. 

The 2008 Ford Focus costs around 30,000 Euros and is over 30% more expensive. A 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid can be found for not much more than 20,000 Euros. 

Higher Standards

Owning a hybrid auto is also a step towards introduction of higher technological and ecological standards in automotive engineering. 

The European Commission has already adopted an action plan to achieve a 20% substitution of diesel and gasoline fuels by alternative fuels in the road transport sector by 2020. This is one of the reasons why car manufacturers are redesigning the drive train concept towards hybrid systems. 

To respond to the needs of our environment, with an ever-rising number of cars, we will have to make the switch to hybrid autos in the immediate future, then possibly solar powered cars one day.

Hybrids Are Here To Stay

Today, hybrid autos should no longer be perceived as new technology cars. Hybrids are an integral element of everyday economic and eco lifestyle. 

Whether you’re on the market for a  new or used car, you should look at all the costs of buying a car - not just the purchase price. You’ll find that a hybrid auto makes sense for both the sake of the environment and your budget.

Find used hybrid autos at Car Buyers’ Guide.

Jack Taylor is an expert in ‘green’ automotive industry. He is particularly interested in biofuels and hybrid cars.