Hybrid cars

Rising fuel prices and a growing awareness of the environmental effects of greenhouse gases means that car manufacturers are looking for alternative fuel sources to match the performance and efficiency of petrol-fuelled cars. Hybrid technology, being utilised most effectively by Toyota and Honda, could be the answer - for the meantime, anyway. Greg Fraser, one of NRMA's resident motoring experts, discusses the pros and cons of hybrid technology and what the cars of the immediate future will be fuelled by.

What is hybrid technology?

Hybrid technology uses a conventional petrol engine supplemented by an electric power-plant. The idea is that you can have a smaller petrol engine, offering potentially better fuel economy but, when you need the additional power or torque for acceleration, the electric power-plant kicks in. By using hybrid technology, manufacturers aim to get the best of both worlds, where you can have a larger car, and get better fuel economy without sacrificing anything in terms of performance.

Is the production of hybrid cars a reaction to rising petrol prices?

Initially, the production of hybrid cars was definitely for environmental reasons more than fuel costs. The first hybrid car released in Australia, and probably the first commercially successful or viable hybrid car, the Toyota Prius, was released more on environmental grounds. It was released in Australia in 2001, before the cost of petrol was the issue it is today. The petrol price issue is very recent for the local market but it has certainly spurred manufacturers and buyers along.

Toyota and Honda, who've just released their latest hybrids, say that when you buy one they'll plant some trees. Honda Australia, under their Honda Climate Care Warranty are saying that they'll plant 18 trees for each Civic Hybrid sold, enough to absorb the car's gas emissions for 3 years. They're not planting them at your house, but they're planting them somewhere in the world!

Who are the leading hybrid manufacturers at the moment?

Toyota has an edge at the moment. Honda, now in their second generation of hybrids, is improving in leaps and bounds, but Toyota has expanded the technology into the luxury car sector via Lexus. When comparing the Prius to the current Civic Hybrid, Toyota's technology is a bit more refined. Both have a similar function but the Toyota, probably because it's had a bit of a head-start, has a more seamless transition between the petrol and the electric motors. It's just a smoother car to drive.

Toyota and Honda seem to be doing the most with hybrid technology. Toyota is doing it across its luxury brand as well, which we've just seen here with the release of the Lexus GS450h. In Lexus-mode, it's a luxury car with good fuel economy, but with the hybrid function, when the electric motor provides the assist, it's a performance car. It's actually quite surprising how quick the GS450h is.

Lexus will also be releasing a 4WD hybrid (RX400h), already on sale in the US, and the new LS600 will also feature a hybrid. So large sedans and 4WDs, cars which were traditionally fuel thirsty, should now be more economical.

Does the introduction of hybrid vehicles to the market indicate changes are looming?

With such a rapid increase in fuel prices, people are now asking themselves, 'Well, what do I run my car on?' Manufacturers are well aware of this, but it's hard to say whether we'll see more hybrids. Obviously, manufacturers using hybrid technology will remain with it and refine it. Those that don't have probably invested heavily in other forms of technology, such as fuel-cell powered vehicles or hydrogen powered vehicles. However, fuel-cell technology could be 15 - 20 years down the track and running an engine which is compatible with hydrogen is also a long-term affair. There aren't hydrogen fuelling stations just around the corner.

Mazda and BMW are heavily into hydrogen technology. BMW are certainly saying yes, that hydrogen powered cars are near, but fuel-cell is still a long way off.

The next question then is of renewable fuel sources - biofuels, such as ethanol and methanol. Biofuels are gaining ground, with recent news that the glory days of oil are perhaps over or that gaining access to oil reserves in the future will be much harder. It may be that biofuels will be the way to go because it's produced from a renewable crop. They're already used in Brazil, where cars can be 100 per cent biofuelled, running on ethanol which is made from sugar cane. They may be an interim measure.

Biofuels are also gaining some acceptance in Europe where Saab has released a model that will run on biofuel, or actually any fuel. The Saab 95 and its engine control (the engine brain) can determine what fuel is in the tank and it adjusts the engine accordingly. You can run it on 100 per cent ethanol, 100 per cent premium unleaded, or a mix anywhere in between which is available in Sweden.

Are hybrid-powered cars more fuel efficient/better for the environment than petrol or diesel fuelled cars?

Hybrid cars are just as fuel efficient. It depends on how the hybrid/petrol relationship is constructed within the car but something like a Toyota Prius is very fuel efficient around town. The Prius and the Civic Hybrid will shut down at idle while you're at the lights. The petrol engine stops and then uses the batteries to keep air-conditioning, etc. running to keep you comfortable. As you drive off the petrol engine will generally restart, although, under certain conditions, both can run on battery power alone. Both vehicles are very limited on how much battery power they can run on but tend to have very good city cycle figures given the size of the car.

On the open road, however, is where both still have good fuel economy figures but now the petrol engine is running all the time. Driving on the freeway, the petrol engine has no reason to shut down and run on electric because the load at which you'll need to keep the speed is such that you'll need to have the petrol engine running, so it's like being in any other car. The focus then turns to the technology that exists within the petrol engine. The electric motors of the Civic Hybrid and Prius certainly assist in acceleration, but, if you're sitting on the freeway's speed limit, you certainly don't need any extra assistance.

Do you see hybrid technology making significant improvements or will there be a shift away from electric-powered cars?

We won't see a shift away from hybrid cars; we'll probably just see more of them. And because they'll seem more user-friendly, people will get used to them and there'll be a growing acceptance, especially when they don't look like electric cars or have something aesthetically different about them. The Civic Hybrid in particular is a nice looking car.

When driven, does a hybrid car feel different to a petrol-fuelled car?

Yes, they do. Toyota starts and drives off in electric mode, then the petrol engine cuts in. The transition is virtually seamless - the 'Hybrid Synergy Drive' system that Toyota has developed is particularly good. You'll only feel the slightest vibration.

The Honda isn't as refined. It does the same thing, but it's very noticeable when the engine shuts down and restarts, to the point that in suburban driving you're aware of the engine's stopping and starting, which does begin to annoy you.

What are hybrid's disadvantages?

The biggest disadvantages for most people are unseen running costs and the car's resale value in the long-term. It's too early to tell what the resale value for a hybrid car is - whether they'll be desirable or not. The other disadvantage to the customer is the question of how long will the battery pack last? It's too early to tell what their service life is, although the manufacturers say they're good for at least 10 years.

What's the demand for hybrid cars in Australia?

Manufacturers are selling as many as they bring in. Demand is strong and the market will determine where these cars end up. Unless a better idea comes along, hybrid cars will be here for a while. They'll start to gain popularity across more markets, not just smaller cars. It'll be interesting to see how the Lexus GS450h goes over time. That will demonstrate the true acceptance at the higher end of the market.

Would you recommend buying a hybrid car and who is a hybrid vehicle best suited to?

If it suits your needs and you're driving primarily in urban areas, yes. For anyone after a sports sedan, then no.

A small family and people living in the city would benefit from a hybrid car due to the lower running costs. They also suit people concerned with greenhouse gas emissions.

Greg Fraser has been with NRMA for ten years and is one part of the team responsible for the new vehicle road test program. His reports appear in the Open Road journal and on NRMA's website. Having worked in the industry since 1974 his experience covers most facets of the automotive business.

If you have any feedback or would like to suggest a topic you'd like to know more about, email Tristan Foster.

Article by Tristan Foster July, 2006