The New 2008 Hybrid Cars

Environmentally conscious drivers will have more hybrid car and hybrid truck options this year and next, as auto manufacturers continue to roll out new versions and models. Consumer demand for hybrid vehicles continues to increase, as consumers begin to understand and accept hybrid vehicles as a viable alternative.

For those unfamiliar with how hybrid vehicles work and what they do, here's a short primer. Hybrid vehicles typically use both an energy storage system and a traditional gasoline engine, thereby eliminating sole reliance on gas for power. This in turn expends less gas and less harmful emissions.

Specifically, an energy storage system in a hybrid vehicle will in effect recognize when fuel is being wasted and will recycle energy to power the car or truck. Wasteful car and truck actions such as idling, traffic stops, etc. are recognized by the energy storage system and the gasoline burning engine is stopped. City drivers in particular notice a greater fuel economy with hybrid vehicles due to the constant stop and go flow of heavy city traffic.

Here's a brief list of 2008 hybrid car models:

Midsize Hybrid Vehicles:

Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion lead the list of new hybrid car choices later this year. Also, you'll see Chevrolet introduce the Chevy Malibu as a hybrid car later this summer as a 2009 model. Saturn's AURA will also arrive as the latest addition to their Green Line.

Crossovers and SUV's Go Hybrid:

Expect Saturn to roll out the VUE as the newest member of their Green Line, offering half the emissions of their regular model. Also with new models will be the Chevy Equinox, Toyota Prius, and Toyota Sienna.

2009 Hybrid Pickups and Hybrid Truck Models:

New from General Motors in the hybrid pickup and full size truck category will be the Chevy Silverado, a full size pickup expected to debut as a 2009 model. Also from GM and another 2009 model will be the GMC Sierra, also a pickup.

Other 2008 Hybrid Car Happenings:

Of interest is the first hybrid car from China, the Roewe 750, a midsize car. Chinese car manufacturer SAIE is producing the hybrid 750, their version of the United Kingdom's Rover 75.

Expect to see even more hybrid car and hybrid truck model introductions as we move into the 2009 and 2010 model years. The hybrid car and truck market is ever expanding, and auto manufacturers are more than happy to meet the demand.