Being on the lookout for a new vehicle can be an exciting time, especially if you're in the market for a newer model. There are so many makes and models out now, but what does the future hold for newer automobiles? Electric cars have become increasingly popular in the car market but does it go further than that? Here we will dive into hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell automobiles and show you the future of driving.
Hybrids are aptly named since they are a hybrid of electric and gas powered vehicles. These types of cars would be your Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion, and the Honda Insight for some top examples. They've been using a type of technology that's been around for decades but have become more talked about in the late 2000s and into the 2010s. While you're still using fossil fuels to help the hybrid vehicles run, it's minimal amounts compared to that of an unleaded or diesel engine. The future of the hybrid automobiles wouldn't be a massive change unless we were to switch over to electric vehicles completely. They will continue to give impressive mileage as well as very affordable pricing for hybrid vehicles. Some makers are even revamping older car models to become hybrids, like the Toyota Camry for example.
To take it a step further, plug-in hybrids are more future-minded when it comes to the use of fossil fuels. A plug-in hybrid automobile still has the hybrid feature of a gas powered engine as well as an electric charge, but in this case, the gas engine is much smaller than in a typical hybrid vehicle. Plug-ins are moving more towards the full electrical experience, such as those with the Tesla Roadster (which is 100% electric). The gas engine essentially only exists to charge the battery if there's no more juice left. The biggest issue with the plug-in hybrids is that it's not always the most convenient for long trips or going to new places where you're not sure if you'll be able to charge up or not. Several car companies are working to better their plug-in models by making it last longer and/or providing more charging stations to combat the lack thereof. Mainly this means coming out with a mass-market plug-in. Those with existing plug-in hybrids can have their vehicles converted with these plug-ins for an additional cost, but it saves the hassle of getting an entirely new vehicle if you're not quite ready for that yet.
Lastly, we have the fuel cell automobile, which is on the cutting edge of the future of automobiles. A fuel cell eliminates the need for a traditional car battery and helps keep an electric car running. The fuel cell generates the energy needed for the electric motor to run. The way this energy is produced is by using oxygen from the surrounding air and compressed hydrogen. This type of vehicle is very new considering that in 2017 there were only 36 hydrogen fueling stations available in the entire U.S. The future for these vehicles is very bright since states like California are taking the initiative to create more charging stations to accommodate those wanting to purchase a fuel cell vehicle.
Though we haven't reached the age of flying cars just yet, we are continuing to break free from the use of fossil fuels every day. Day by day, month by month, year by year, automakers are finding new and innovative ways to help make your driving experiences better, less expensive, and less wasteful.
No matter what vehicle is in your future, you can count on Accurso Auto to always take care of it right! Contact us today!
