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5 most efficient plug-in hybrid vehicles helping save fuel

Fuel efficient plug-in hybrid vehicles

With the growing consciousness to protect the mother earth, the car companies have come forward with the best techniques to save fuel with less emission of greenhouse gases. The uniqueness of these plug-in hybrid cars is that they work on dual power sources, internal combustion engine and an electric motor. While you enjoy your ride, the internal system of your car does its own work of transforming energy from the natural resources. These functions were incorporated with no compromise on luxuries but with a greater advantage to your pockets once you buy them. This technology was first used in designing of Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid by Ferdinand Porsche in 1900. Read on to know about 5 most efficient plug-in hybrid vehicles that help you save fuel.

1. Ford F-series Super Duty plug-in hybrid truck

Ford F-Series Super Duty plug-in hybrid truck

Expected to be released in 2013, Ford F-series Super Duty plug-in hybrid already has a market share that exceeds 50% in North America. The plug-in hybrid technology will be integrated by the Azure Dynamics Corporation. With the collaboration with the Ford, Azure has already paved a way to greater heights and it also agreed to integrate technology for the upcoming Ford models F-350 and F-450.

The Super Duty program enabled in this F-550 models and the upcoming models have extended the product lineup for Azure in integrating technology for trucks. It believes that almost two-third of the parallel plug-in hybrid will be used for all Super Duty configurations and the other one-third for the powertrain-specific like the gasoline or diesel.

2. Fuel efficient plug-in hybrid vehicle

Kia Ray plug-in hybrid

Unveiled first at the Chicago Auto Show was a stunning Kia Ray Plug-in hybrid car which was much above than just being a green car. Designed under Peter Schreyer’s team Kia source says that this is the car designed with the heart. The outward look and the internal technology will certainly make you say ‘WOW’. It is so amazingly designed.

Going to the beast side of the car it is featured with aerodynamic design, you can travel 50 miles just by one charge of lithium ion battery. The gasoline-powered range-extender will allow to drive for 746 miles with no need of recharging or refueling. So, the total range of the car is 746 miles. The power that is needed to run especially front wheels and the other parts is provided by the 1.4-liter gasoline direct injection, 153 HP and a 78 kW electric motor. The uniqueness of the car is that it can run particularly on electric mode, gasoline mode and the other propulsion modes.

The interesting recharge techniques used are that Ray uses regenerative braking, the solar cells embedded on the glass proof to recharge the battery. The Green car’s Green edge audio system with efficient speakers allows you to listen maximum source with less usage of power. This is something interesting that you should look out for.

3. Hybrid accord plug-in hybrid

Honda accord plug in hybrid

Honda Accord was showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show and is expected to go on sale in 2012. This Japanese model runs on electric mode, the hybrid gasoline-electric mode and an engine direct-drive mode. With the electric mode which uses 6kWh lithium ion battery and a 120 kW electric motor you can drive up to 10-15 miles at a top speed of 62mph. It uses a 2.0-liter engine and has a maximum power of 161 hp.

The battery can be charged in 3 to 4 hours using a regular electric socket and approximately 1 to 1.5 hours with a 240-volt outlet.

4. Volvo V60 plug-in Diesel hybrid

Volvo V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid

Volvo has released its own design of the plug-in hybrid car ‘The Volvo V60’. As you see it is a medium sized car with big bodies incorporated inside it.

With the electric mode you can run up to 30 miles at a maximum speed of 60mph. The engine built is a 2.4-liter D5 turbo diesel with an electric motor of 70 bhp offering a maximum torque of 640 Nm and only requires 49 gm of CO2. It accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds.

In case you lack these sources then the power plants give you access to the 272bhp and is quite quick.

5. Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid

Toyota Prius Plug-in-Hybrid

Toyota Prius was first shown to people in September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and is expected to be released in the market in the second quarter of 2012. Prius is expected to be the first big leap for Toyota in hybrid vehicles.

With the collaboration of Panasonic, Toyota has designed 4.4 kWh lithium ion battery which alone can make you drive up to 14.3 miles. It provides a total range of 475 miles and reaches a top speed of 62 mph. The battery requires 180 minutes at 120 volts and can be charged faster in 90 minutes at 240 volts.

It is expected to be released in some of the best marketing centers of the world and have at least 50,000 vehicles sold annually. It would probably cost $32,000 and an extra $760 as delivery fee.

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