Why HONDA in the war of "Green" Vehicles?

Hybrid cars have 2 cooperative drive systems-an internal combustion engine and a large battery pack with an electric motor.

There are 5 types of Hybrids:

1. Regenerative Braking-Where the energy that is generated from the heat of braking is converted and stored in a lithium ion battery for future use. Honda and Toyota use this type of assistance.

2. Parallel Hybrids-Gas engine assisted Hybrids that rely mainly on internal combustion engines with electric motors capable of low speeds up to 25 mph. Toyota uses this technology and so requires 2 electric motors to sustain the power used at idle or low speeds. Although it adds power it also increases maintenance costs.

3. Electric Engine Assist-Now know as Integrated Motor Assist. Honda was the first car company to develop and market this type of technology. It uses a low power internal combustion engine for maximum fuel efficiency and allows the electric motor to assist for extra power to pass or climb hills. Honda combines regenerative braking with IMA in all of their Hybrids for fuel efficiency and a simplistic, easy to maintain system.

4. Mild Hybrids-are not really hybrids. They have a super-sized starter that can switch the engine off at idle and then start it again when you press on the gas.

5. Electric Hybrids-known as Extended Range Electric Vehicles or more accurately serial Hybrids use lithium ion batteries to run up to 35 miles on the energy before it has to use a gas engine that augments the electric energy. Vehicles like the Chevy Volt use this system which is an expensive system requiring charging stations or long charging times on home systems. This type of system is very expensive in initial costs and unknown for future costs.

Out of all of these "Green" technologies, Honda has utilized the best and simplest Hybrid systems to use in their Civic Hybrid, Insight, and the new Honda CR-Z. With the choice of 3 types of Hybrid vehicles, Honda offers consumers vehicles for ALL!