Environmental Benefits of Hybrid Cars
Meredithe Brown
January 24, 2014
Contemporary Applications of the Sciences
Professor Karen Olivero
Argosy University - Inland Empire
In the world today a greater interest in renewable energy forms has become a volatile topic for environmental conservationists, scientists, and politicians alike. After a detailed search of five different hybrid vehicles, many tend to have the same components. Those who are in favor of hybrids believe that it is ultimately better since it can reduce the carbon imprint or emissions. The writer will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each vehicle. Finally, the economic and technological effects such as production, supply, and which vehicle will or will not meet the writers needs will be addressed.
The next five hybrid vehicles all have several features that are similar; while each has their own individual features. The vehicles chosen for study were the 2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, 2014 Chevrolet Volt Hybrid, and 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid. Each vehicle contains a motor referred to as a Permanent Magnet. Those are defined as “magnets that maintain their own magnetic fields (NMB Technologies, 2010). The Nissan Pathfinder is the exception with a 2.5 DOHC 16 valve, 4-cylinder engine (Nissan Motor Company, n.d.). The remaining vehicles are equipped with an Aluminum Alloy 4 cylinder engine. In terms of fuel tank size, Acura, Lincoln and Honda are similar in size averaging around 13.3 gallons. The Nissan Pathfinder has the largest tank at 19.5 gallons (Nissan Motor Company, n.d.). and the Chevrolet Volt has the smallest at 9.3 gallons (General Motor Company, 2014).
Another point of interest the writer found was the level of octane required for each vehicle. Both the Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Civic require regular fuel, whereas the remaining three requires premium fuel. Even though the fuel tank size is...