The NZS.com New Zealand hybrid cars article contains information, reviews and fuel efficiency of hybrid cars available in New Zealand.
New Zealand Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars in New Zealand are part of the global shift towards a cleaner, greener way of living. New Zealand hybrid cars are available to drivers who want a vehicle that is kind to the environment, fuel efficient and cheap to run. Read on for information on hybrid vehicles currently available and the benefits of driving a green machine.
New Zealanders are changing the way they drive and reducing the amount of fossil fuel they use to power their vehicles. Hybrid cars are now available in New Zealand and signal the beginning of a revolution in transportation, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petrol-fueled vehicles. New Zealand car dealers sell Hybrid cars as an alternative, cleaner vehicle which uses petrol, they actively saves energy at every opportunity. While conventional cars idle, hybrid cars stop their engines and start again at the touch of a pedal.
How Does a Hybrid Car Work?
A New Zealand hybrid car uses at least two sources of fuel, in order to run at optimum energy efficiency. Generally, hybrid vehicles have an internal combustion engine that runs on petrol, which is complemented by an electric motor and a battery, which powers the electric motor and stores energy for future use. The battery captures energy that would otherwise be lost, when the car is decelerating or coasting. Power can also be taken from the gas engine to recharge the battery if needed. With this unique technology, hybrid cars achieve a much more efficient fuel to mileage ratio than other cars. In fact, they are the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road.
What are the Benefits?
In a nutshell, hybrid cars are kinder to the New Zealand environment and easier on your wallet. Here are some of the benefits at a glance:
- Use up to 50% less fuel than regular cars of the same size.
- Produce up to 90% less air pollution.
- Do not need to be plugged in (just fill with petrol as usual).
What Kinds of Hybrid Vehicles are Available?
Currently, models of hybrid car available in New Zealand include the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Honda Insight. Here are some quick facts on each of these hybrid cars:
- Toyota Prius
Fuel economy: Between 19 and 21 kilometres / litre of petrol.
Performance: Drives like a standard automatic car, although quieter and smoother. Has a 1500cc petrol engine, which cuts out in favour of the electric motor when idling or driving at a low speed. Can run without petrol, but this will damage the hybrid system.
Battery life: The battery is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. Tests have shown that battery performance is not compromised even after 290,000 kilometres. The battergy will recharge when the car is decelerating or cruising.
- Honda Civic Hybrid
Fuel economy: Between 21 and 23 kilometres / litre of petrol.
Performance: Uses a 1.3 litre IMA Hybrid system which combines a high-tech 3-stage i-VTEC engine with an intelligent, ultra-thin electric motor.
Battery life: The battery will recharge when the car is decelerating or cruising. It is designed to last ten years under normal driving conditions.
- Honda Insight Hybrid
Fuel economy: Between 23 and 26 kilometres / litre of petrol.
Performance: Uses a 1 litre VTEC petrol engine at all times, which is assisted by an electric engine when energy demand is high. Has very little wind noise because of its aerodynamic shape. Cannot run without petrol in the tank.
Battery life: The battery will recharge when the car is decelerating or cruising. It is designed to last ten years under normal driving conditions.
Hybrid cars are currently retailing at selected New Zealand car dealers for between $30,000 and $40,000, depending on the make and model which you choose. With the benefits of running in a cleaner, greener way, and with much less reliance on traditional fuels, there seem to be no disadvantages to owning a hybrid car. It seems only a matter of time until these alternative vehicles become the mainstream on New Zealand roads – why not, when they are already relatively affordable, environmentally friendly and a good fit for our country's clean, green image.
Looking for more information? Find New Zealand car dealers in the NZS.com directory.
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Motoring images from Flickr: carlos_furiano, marklincoln.
