Hybrid: EPA turns innovator with hydraulic hybrids

Did you ever wanted to know what is an "hydraulic hybrid" and how it works? If the answer is yes, this is the place to go.
The hybrid topic is hot again lately, so be sure not to miss important information. Driving a car and being eco-friendly definitely is "Foursprung"!

The system uses hydraulic pressure to recapture energy lost through braking, then releases the pressure during acceleration. The EPA estimates hydraulic hybrids could improve fuel economy up to 55 percent, versus 30 percent to 40 percent for a conventional gas-electric hybrid.

The EPA believes in some ways, hydraulic hybrids will be superior to gasoline-electric hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid. One big advantage: they cost less, meaning consumers will see a more immediate financial payoff.

A major portion of the tour was devoted to prototypes of vehicles powered by hydraulic hybrid technology, showing off the guts of a delivery truck that will be used by UPS next year, and an earlier prototype of a Ford Expedition SUV.

As Johnson sat behind the wheel of the Expedition, agency officials said the hydraulic hybrid version would get 32 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway. The conventional gasoline-only Expedition averages 13 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

The cost of the hydraulic system -- about $1,000 -- would be paid back in nine months of driving, officials said.

Foursprung, Hybrid

Source: AutoInsider

Read more

Read what others are saying about it: Bloglines, Feedster, Technorati