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With the increasing concern about environmental issues such as pollution and global warming, as well as the unbelievable rise in the price of gasoline, it is no wonder thathybrid vehicles are gaining popularity. Hybrid cars have been relatively common for years, with hybrid Sport Utility Vehicles in close competition, but what about hybrid trucks? We don't see those too often. Automotive manufacturing giant General Motors, however, believes that will change.

In 2005, GM introduced [tag-tec]hybrid [/tag]versions of the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra in Florida, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Alaska. In 2006 the company made the vehicles available nationwide. These hybrid pickup trucks have 5.3 liter V-8 engines which have exactly the same amount of power and torque as there non-hybrid counterparts (295 horsepower, 325 pound/feet of torque). They can carry the same size loads, tow the same weights, and accelerate to the same degree that regular non-hybrid GM pickup trucks can. And they do it all while providing the most efficient gas mileage of any full-sized pickup on the market—about 20 miles per gallon on the highway. These hybrid trucks also feature a 2400 watt generator that can be used to power electrical devices, making them ideal for contractors or construction workers.

When compared to the Toyota Prius, a small hybrid car that gets 50 miles per gallon, 20 mpg might not sound like much. It is in fact only about a 10 percent difference from the fuel consumption of regular non-hybrid GM trucks. This is because the Prius is what is known as a “full hybrid,” which means that its internal combustion engine can shut off completely when the car is idle or driving at low speeds, relying solely on battery power and drastically improving fuel efficiency. This type of fuel savings is great, but it requires a significant compromise of power, which is something that the general pickup truck owner simply will not stand for.

Many truck owners use their vehicles for work related purposes, such as hauling heavy loads, and it is essential that a hybrid pickup truck be able to do this. If automotive manufacturers sacrifice power to gain fuel economy in hybrid trucks, their customers will disappear. Acutely aware of this, General Motors has decided that a little improvement is better than none at all.

Hybrid Cars and Trucks and the Environment

With fossil fuel emissions at levels of billions of tons per year and global warming becoming increasingly obvious, it is clear that sooner or later something must be done. For decades, scientists and researchers have tried to find alternative fuel sources, but there simply was nothing as convenient as the old standby—oil. The oil infrastructure is so vast and developed that is has become impossible to think of cars without thinking of gasoline, and many Americans are loath to change. But they must. Every major city in the country—New York, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and most notably Las Angeles—is plagued by pollution. The cities are shrouded by smog, there are pollution warnings on weather reports, and at times it is impossible even to take a deep breath without noticing that something is wrong with the air. This is not a world that most of us want to live in. But if more people are willing to take the plunge and buy a hybrid car or truck, the effects over time will be enormous. A hybrid truck might be more expensive initially, but the fuel savings will soon make it worthwhile. And as hybrid technology improves, the cost of these vehicles will no doubt be reduced, making the future a lot brighter, and a lot less smoggy, for the next generation of Earthlings.

Are you a Greenie? Are you tired of ridiculous GAS PRICES? Check out Dan's hybrid car blog for the latest inside scoop on all things hybrid! Save the environment and save some $$$.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Riffle http://EzineArticles.com/?Hybrid-Trucks—Its-About-Time!&id=574716

Energy Tags: hybrid, hybrid car

The U.S. Postal Service plans to identify new, more environmentally friendly vehicle technologies that are less dependent on petroleum-based fuel sources to replace the 195,000 neighborhood delivery vehicles of its total 220,000 vehicles, the world’s largest civilian fleet. Today’s announcement came during a ceremony in which General Motors presented a Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle to the Postal Service for testing in a mail-delivery environment.

“We are looking for a vehicle that operates from a fuel source that reduces—or eliminates—our dependence on petroleum products, that is good for the environment, good for our customers and good for the Postal Service,” said Walter O’Tormey, vice president, Engineering, as he accepted the keys to the Equinox Fuel Cell that will be tested in Irvine, CA.

Moving forward with non-petroleum fueled vehicles is more important to the Postal Service than ever, O’Tormey said, since a one-cent increase in a gallon of fuel adds $8 million annually to Postal Service expenses. Fuel costs last year were $1.7 billion and are expected to increase this year by $600 million.

“The Postal Service has been an invaluable partner, and they put our fuel cell vehicles through some tough, daily workouts,” said Mary Beth Stanek, director of energy and environmental policy & commercialization at General Motors. “We are gaining valuable insight on how these vehicles perform in demanding, real-world situations. By participating in Project Driveway, the Postal Service also is demonstrating the need to develop a hydrogen infrastructure to support fueling these vehicles.”

More on USPS Explores Options for ‘Green’ Mail Trucks

Energy Tags: battery technology, hybrid cars

Solar chargers are a great option for people always on the move. If people are always traveling, a solar charger is a wonderful user-friendly option that wont drain resources.

ICP solar chargers are an excellent brand of charger that is guaranteed to work. If you are dependent on your battery to operate machinery or vehicles, this guarantee is essential. Having a battery charger that does not work when you are stuck miles away from civilization is not a good thing. ICP solar chargers are also a great idea for backup power in a small home or cabin.

Solar power has often been commended for its environmentally-friendly capability to provide energy. One solar panel can charge a 12Volt battery in full with direct sunlight at a rate of 7 Amps or more. The power is then electrochemically stored within the battery.

ICP offers a range of chargers for devices like cell phones, PDAs, and other small electrical appliances. With these chargers, you simply plug the device into the solar charger and let it do its job. ICP also offers chargers for higher power machines like cars, motorcycles, heavy duty trucks, even marine and RV applications.

The ICP solar chargers range in price from $30 to $500. However, it is well worth the investment and there are no recurring electrical utility costs associated with charging.

Dawn Rowlett

Dawn Rowlett is an author for Battery Web,a retailer and wholesaler of all types of batteries. Visit the site for a great selection of Solar Chargers.

Hybrid solar lighting (HSL) is getting heavy support from the U.S. government as an excellent way for companies to save on their lighting bills and reduce demand for electricity. It also will provide high quality lighting because the light is directly from the sun.

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Bio diesel fuels (made from plant or animal fats and some form of alcohol) are used by many localities, to run trucks or buses. But vegetable oil has some legal barriers. Vegetable oil has to be certified by the federal government for use as a motor oil.

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