Hybrid vehicles gain traction

The development and manufacture of hybrid vehicles, which combine a conventional engine, and a battery-powered electric motor to achieve improved fuel economy and performance, are discussed. A full-fledged hybrid car, such as a Toyota Prius travels twice the distance that of an average American car on a gallon of gas. A full-fledged hybrid vehicle provides fuel economy of 60 percent, which is achieved from regenerative braking, that captures as electrical power much of the energy lost as frictional heat. Another benefit of the hybrid vehicles is that the efficient use of gasoline results in lower emissions of carbon dioxide, which is the primary greenhouse gas.