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BMW Hybrid
 In
late spring of 2004 BMW announced that its newest gasoline-electric
project is an X5 SAV hybrid featuring a combustion engine that is
power assisted by an electric motor that produces an astonishing
479.35 ft-lbs of low end torque! The hybrid X5 is truly revolutionary
because it actually has greatly increased performance over the gasoline
only model, while improving gas mileage by 15-20%.
BMW has also spent much time and money researching
practical hydrogen power, and expects to launch a hybrid 7 series,
their flagship super luxury model, by 2010. 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.
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| Acura RD-X, RL |
| BMW X5 |
| Chevrolet
Malibu, Tahoe, Equinox |
| Dodge Durango,
Intrepid ESX |
| Ford Escape HEV |
| GMC Sierra Partial
Hybrid |
| Honda Insight,
Civic, Accord |
| Lexus RX 400H,
LS |
| Mazda RX-8 |
| Saturn EV1,
VUE |
| Subaru B9 SC |
| Toyota
Prius, Camry, Highlander |
Though current hybrid car tax incentives/rebates are being
phased out, consumers can look forward to rebates of up to $5000
in 2005.
Current hybrid cars can get up to 60 miles to the gallon on
the highway. In addition to fuel economy, they boast lower emissions
and depreciation than gasoline powered cars.
In the near future, hybrid cars are expected to get fuel mileage
as high as 190 miles per gallon!
Environmentalists embrace hybrid cars as a solution to today's
pollution problems.
Heavy HEV development began in the early 1990's with major
manufacturers donating billions of dollars to the research of
new hybrid technologies.
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