As people become more environmentally conscious, gasoline prices begin to skyrocket, and independence from foreign oil becomes more worrying, hybrid cars become increasingly popular. A hybrid car is defined as a vehicle that uses more than one fuel source. Many of these vehicles use a combination of a typical gas internal combustion engine with an electric motor. While these vehicles were historically quite rare, they have only recently become more popular. Many automakers now offer a variety of models that use this technology. While these vehicles still rely on gas, they can greatly reduce the amount of fuel used.

When cars were still in their infancy at the turn of the century, there were actually quite a few electric vehicles on the roads. At that time, gasoline-powered vehicles did not dominate the roads as they do now. Hybrid cars were not developed until about a hundred years later, in the early 21st century. While the first known model was developed in the 1960s, it was not available until the late 20th century. The first hybrid vehicle was introduced in 1900. Initially it was an exclusively electric vehicle, but shortly after a gasoline engine was added to the car, making it the first hybrid car.

The idea for this type of twin-motor vehicle resurfaced several times over the next decade. These gasoline and electric cars are well known for their better fuel efficiency and their ability to avoid environmentally friendly driving. These vehicles are built in the same way as conventional gasoline cars, but the battery is much more prominent. These batteries are rechargeable and are used to power the electric motors that are installed in these vehicles.

While they still rely on fuel to run, hybrid cars are certainly a step in the right direction. Since electric motors use no power and generally only run at slower speeds, this can greatly reduce gas use, especially if you are only driving less than 40 miles per hour. The battery also charges while the car is running, which means you don’t have to worry about charging yourself. While these vehicles can be a bit pricey, the prices are becoming more affordable. Plus, you may be eligible for a tax incentive, and you may find that your gas money savings will make the investment worthwhile.