Chevy Silverado Hybrid (2004)   MPG (city/hwy) Price (MSRP) Automatic(2WD) 18/20 NA Automatic(4WD) 17/19 NA Full-size pickup truck First hybrid pickup with MPG certified by EPA 5-13% better gas mileage than non-hybrid version GMC Sierra Hybrid (2004)   MPG (city/hwy) Price (MSRP) Automatic(2WD) 18/20 NA Automatic(4WD) 17/19 NA Full-size pickup truck First hybrid pickup with MPG certified by EPA 5-13% better gas mileage than non-hybrid version Honda Civic Hybrid (2004)   MPG (city/hwy) Price (MSRP) Automatic 48/47 47/48 $20,650 5-speed manual 46/51 45/51 $19,650 5 passenger sedan First hybrid version of an established car model 40% better gas mileage than conventional Civic Sedan Honda Insight (2004)   MPG (city/hwy) Price (MSRP) Automatic 57/56 $21,380 5-speed manual 60/66 $19,180 Two Seater First hybrid sold in the U.S. (introduced 2000 model year) Light-weight aluminum body Best gas mileage (manual transmission) of the three hybrids Toyota Prius (2004)   MPG (city/hwy) Price (MSRP) Automatic 60/51 $20,510 5 passenger sedan (Midsize passenger car) First mass-produced hybrid in the world 0-60 in 10.1 seconds

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Even More Choices Coming Soon

According to automakers, consumers who care about fuel economy will have a dozen hybrid cars and trucks to choose from within the next few years. Below is a list of hybrids and their announced introduction dates.

How do hybrids get such great gas mileage?

It is no accident that the most fuel efficient vehicles in some classes for the 2004 model year are hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs). Hybrids can be configured in many different ways to achieve a variety of different objectives. They combine the best features of the internal combustion engine with an electric motor and can significantly improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance or driving range. HEVs may also be configured to provide electrical power to auxiliary loads such as power tools.

HEVs are primarily propelled by an internal combustion engine, just like conventional vehicles. However, they also convert energy normally wasted during coasting and braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor. The electric motor is used to assist the engine when accelerating or hill climbing and in low-speed driving conditions where internal combustion engines are least efficient. Some HEVs also automatically shut off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restart it when the accelerator is pressed. This prevents wasted energy from idling. Unlike all-electric vehicles, HEVs now being offered do not need to be plugged into an external source of electricity to be recharged; conventional gasoline and regenerative braking provide all the energy the vehicle needs.

Potential buyers should also be aware that the federal government is currently offering tax incentives for HEVs and other alternative fuel vehicles. Some states also offer incentives.

	It's no accident that the two highest fuel economy vehicles for 2004 are hybrid vehicles. Hybrid electric vehicles combine the best features of internal combustion engines (1) and electric motors (3).

Intelligent power electronics (4) decide when to use the motor and engine and when to store electricity in advanced batteries (6) for future use. The electric motor is used primarily for low speed cruising or to provide extra power for acceleration or hill climbing.

When braking or coasting to a stop, the hybrid uses its electric motor (3) as a generator to produce electricity, which is then stored in its battery pack (6).

Unlike all-electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles do not need to be plugged into an external source of electricity. Gasoline stored in a conventional fuel tank (5) provides all the energy the hybrid vehicle needs.

Three hybrid vehicles are currently available:

• Toyota Prius
• Honda Insight
• Honda Civic(hybrid)

The future of these vehicles is bright, as the Manufacturer's plan for increased production is on the rise, making some room for competition and improvements to make them even better. Hopefully, the use of them will increase as well, so that the prices would fall just like we saw it happen with plasma televisions.