The Future of Hybrid Vehicles

U.S. consumers are expected to nearly a half-million hybrid vehicles annually by the year 2008. One might say that hybrid technology is here to stay. For those that love trucks, you shouldn't fret or worry. Half of all sales yearly are expected to be trucks. The manufacturers have been rather slow in introducing new models. They've taken a kind of wait-and-see approach to the whole matter. The fact remains that only 1% of the entire U.S. market has gone "hybrid," even though it's a hot topic in the automotive market.

By nature, consumers move with trends, and it remains to be seen if enough hybrids will be on the road to create a stir for hybrids. Hybrid technology may become the dominant technology for all-purpose road cars, having a distinct advantage over the pure-electrics for long distance driving. Gas engine vehicles will of course be around for many years to come. Fuel economy and reduced emissions will continue to improve in light of the competitive emerging technology.

The Ford Motor Company and the EPA are working together to create Hydraulic Hybrid Technology. The manufacturer believes this concept could even be more fuel-efficient than the hybrid electrical vehicles. Fuel cell technology is an excellent concept, and manufacturers are working the bugs out of the system. Honda already has an experimental vehicle (FCX) being tested on the road.

Finally, you can expect to see pure-electrical operated cars on the market that will be perfect for city limit operations. It would take a giant leap in technology to put this kind of vehicle on the open road for extended travel. Whatever the choice of vehicle the manufacturers decide to bring to market, it seems that the both manufacturers and consumers are slowly coming around to the fact that resources are limited, and that we all have an important stake in a healthy environment.