Angeles Chapter Executive Committee Vice Chair

On March 20, my wife and I took delivery of a brand spanking new Toyota Prius, a hybrid automobile. That simple act brought home to me the technological advances that are here today, economically feasible, and real; advances which have the potential for reducing our dependence on oil, foreign or domestic, by at least 40 percent without sacrificing luxury, comfort, power, or reliability.

Author Sappingfield and wife Patty with their hybrid Toyota Prius.

Are there a lot of hybrid cars?

Currently, Toyota has one model of hybrid, the Prius. Within the next few months, they plan to offer hybrid versions of their popular Lexus and Highlander SUVs. Next year, they are planning to introduce a hybrid Camry. Honda currently offers a hybrid Civic and Insight. Ford has produced a hybrid version of their Escape SUV. Once limited to small, underpowered, and undersized cars, the hybrids have entered the mainstream of automotive lineups.

What is a hybrid?

It is a combination of a traditional gasoline engine and one or more electric engines. They use modern computer technology to turn on and off the gas and/or electric engine to ensure maximum fuel efficiency. For example, since the electric engine has more power at the lower speeds and the gasoline engine has more power at the higher speeds, when you start to move, the electric engine may be the only one operating. Shortly thereafter the gasoline engine will start up and add its power to the acceleration. When you reach cruising speed, the electric may shut off or only run to recharge the battery. All these various combinations of power occur continuously without the driver knowing or even caring.

What kind of mileage do you get?

It varies according to the vehicle, the speeds you travel, and the types of driving you do, as with all automobiles. However, they consistently get 30 to 50 percent more mileage than similar gasoline-only vehicles. In my case, my gasoline bill has dropped $60 per month, every month, since we started driving the Prius.

Aren't hybrids tiny, not suitable for families?

No, I traded in a Toyota Camry for my Prius. The Prius is as roomy inside and has almost as much luggage room as the Camry. <Consumer Reports classifies it as a 'family car.'

What about freeway driving, do they have enough power?

Absolutely. The acceleration from a dead stop is comparable with the Camry and Accord and other similar sized cars. When cruising on a freeway, typically, the electric engine will be off. When you need to accelerate to pass a truck or RV or whatever, you press on the accelerator, the electric engine turns on and-bingo!-your speed climbs 10 to 15 miles per hour before you realize it.

How often do you have to plug in the battery to charge it?

Never! The battery is charged on a continuous basis when you brake or slow down or by the gasoline engine.

What is your biggest complaint?

The mug holder's sides are a little higher than my travel coffee mug, so it doesn't sit straight. I have to find one with a handle a little higher up on the barrel of the mug. That and the minor inconvenience of being stopped in the grocery store parking lot all the time by people who want to know what it's like to drive a hybrid.

As you can tell, I believe the hybrid technology is here to stay, will only become more and more common, and will eventually surpass the traditional gasoline engines-at least until the next major development comes along.

The Hybrid Evolution is here. Don't be the last on your block to evolve!