News on hybrid vehicles, fuel cell cars, and the future of automobiles

Have been looking at hybrid cars and was told that there is a 20 mile dead zone around the plants that manufacturer the batteries that power them. Can someone tell me if this is true or not and how can I verify this information?

Where do you get this garbage? I heard that all people were born with 3 legs, and the third one is cut off at birth. Gee, I didn’t believe that one, either. Do you believe everything that you are told? Do you really believe a country to is going to allow 20 mile circular dead zones all over? Don’t you think that just maybe the Sierra Club and the other environmental groups just might have had something to say about that? Just maybe?

This speech needs to be persuasive and 7-9 minutes long. Also, after my speech is done the class will ask me questions regarding my topic(hybrid cars) so I really need some credible research.

Also, if anyone feels strongly about hybrids, tell me why they are so important and people should be concerned….besides the whole global warming/high gas prices thing. I want solid information. Thanks!

well, all that I can give you on research is look on google. but, I really like the topic of hybrid cars. first, when you drive a car, you burn gas which is a fossil fuel, which emits carbon into the atmosphere thus, trapping heat from the sun and melting the polar ice caps which make the sea level rise and small islands and most of Florida disappear.(sorry that was a really long sentence.) So, if you use less gas, then you help slow down Florida disappearing. (lol) also, since there is a limited amount of oil and petroleum in the earth, we are running out and gas prices go up. So, if you use a hybrid car, then you are helping save the environment and saving money.
(i know you said except globalwarming/high gas prices but that is the only reason I can think of that hybrid cars are useful)
I hope that helped! (you can use what I said in your speech)
p.s. I hope you get an A+ on your speech!

I need a website that can tell me some information and the history of hybrid cars for a paper I’m doing

Depends on what you’re looking for. As some people pointed out, you can find some information at wikipedia. But if you are looking for even more information:

http://hybridcars.com

http://greencarcongress.com

http://hybridreview.blogspot.com

http://autobloggreen.com

Forums

http://cleanmpg.com

http://greenhybrid.com

I have noticed that the hybrid cars cost $10,000 to $12,000 more for the same style car that is gasoline powered. I can not find out any information that compares the maintainence cost mile for mile of the different types of cars. I do not qualify for the tax rebate to purchase a hybrid. So am I saving money or not if I buy one?

Check the price of the battery- i was an electircal engineer on a submarine I know batteries very well. I cant see them lasting longer than 7 years and they will have to be replace. also battery charge discharge efficency drops considerably when temperature departs from 80F (cold more so then hot).
what are you comparing your hybrid too. civic to civic– no you arent saving any money since the civic gets high 30’s on they highway MPG. you can buy alot of gas for 10,000. Assuming you have a 14 gallon tank and gas is 3.00 a galon you can buy 238 tanks of gas for 10,000. If you use 5 tanks amonth- thats 47 months worth of gas. the average car loan is 5 years. COnsidering the extra interest you pay on 10,000 and you see where you are at.

Plus they dont help the enviornment!!!. yes you save oil which is why you get tax break, but where are we gonna store all these highly toxic batteries that each weigh 300-500 lbs. there are like 70,000 hybrid cars. think Erin brockovich

The internet will let you see the latest hybrid cars which are due to come on to the market. At this point you should see if there are any performance reviews available. This information will help you in deciding the best hybrid car to choose from. You need to understand that while there are many different brands of hybrid cars, some of these may not be that easy to repair or have their parts replace.

You will also be able to look at comparisons which have been made about the best hybrid cars, combustion engine cars and full hybrid cars. Some problems that owners can experience will be given in the reviews about these different cars. For your ease of selection you should look to see if there are any prices indicated for the listed hybrid cars. With this information you can make a decision about a suitable hybrid car.

There is one factor that you should keep in mind when you are shopping for the best hybrid car. In some instances you will not be able to find the exact car that you want. To keep this frustration level down, make a list of several different hybrid car types. Include the known best hybrid car types. You may also want to list down other qualities that you are looking for from a hybrid electric car.
Have a look at these pages:

http://www.shops-flower.com/1/hybridcars/

Does anyone have a list, or can point me to one, of all the hybrid autos currently available? I have been finding some by hit and miss but I would like a more complete list. Anyone have any experiences/opinions on particular models (good or bad).

here is what I know of

Honda Civic (Mild hybrid)
Toyota Camry
Ford Escape / Mercury Mariner
Saturn Vue (mild hybrid)
Toyota Prius
Lexus GS 450H
Lexus RX 400H
Honda Accord
Toyota Highlander
2007 Chevy Silveraldo / GMC Pickup (mild)
Found at

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs_Cars.shtml

I would check out site like USATODAY, Car and driver, edmunds etc…. for info. I have no experience