There is more of them out there today, than there have ever been before. They are more powerful, more quiet, and could be the answer to a looming crisis. As we speed headlong into our near future, that crisis comes into focus...what happens when the oil wells run dry? On the transportation front, car companies are taking a stand. Automotive manufacturers are continually offering more alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles every year since 1991.
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In 1991, Ford and GM took the plunge by selling the first vehicles to fit in the alternative fuel/hybrid car label and in ten years, just over fourty models were available between seven manufacturers. Eighty models from fourteen different manufacturers are being offered in 2011. That's over thirty models more then what was offered last year alone. It seems a trend was developing and automotive manufacturers were aware that there was a growing market in alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles. “Global companies like Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen and Daimler have spent billions of dollars to develop electric and plug-in hybrid cars.” says Keith Bradsher, an author for the New York Times.
Some of these car companies, like Ford and Toyota, have teamed up to help prevent some of the possible problems we face. Nick Bunkley reinforces this idea in his article, Ford and Toyota to Work Together on Hybrid System for Trucks. ''Clearly Ford and Toyota will remain competitors,'' said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president for research and development. ''By working together, we will be able to offer our customers more affordable technology sooner.'' Collaborations like this have happened in the past to perfect a technology but like Kevin had mentioned, they still walk away competitors. After the smoke clears, the average consumer would probably ask, ”What's in it for me?”
Some of the positive effects from investing into an alternative fuel/hybrid car is cleaner air thanks to better emissions. We can lessen our dependance on foreign oil and saving on fuel costs alone is enough to coax city drivers to purchase one. In Technology and Engineering Teacher, Walter F. Deal, III mentions that gasoline engines aren't very efficient. He writes, “Electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels--internal combustion engines (ICEs) only convert 20% of the energy stored in gasoline.”
There are some perks to picking up one of these cars such as better driving conditions. On Livestrong.com, Josh Duvauchelle states,” (For example), several states give hybrid car drivers the use of special carpool lanes so they can bypass traffic quicker. Some businesses, restaurants and facilities also provide hybrid car-only parking spaces.” I have noticed several hybrid spots right at the entrance to many building on military bases but if preferential treatment isn’t enough for you, then maybe saving some cold hard cash is the perk your looking for. “The U.S. Internal Revenue Service extends several tax benefits to help reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a hybrid car. This can give you a tax credit of up to $2,000, according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.” states Josh in his article, Positive Impact of Hybrid Cars.
In conclusion, together we have created these growing issues and together we can solve them. Car companies team up to make their technology more effective so they can offer reliable options in their hybrid/alternative fuel vehicles. Government, businesses, restaurants and many facilities all offer their incentives to clean up the air. With all the great reasons to buy hybrid, it's no wonder there's a trend that has been growing since the early 90's. Being smart never sounded so cool or looked so trendy.
Bibliography:
Going green with electric vehicles: there is considerable interest in electric and hybrid cars because of environmental and climate change concerns, tougher fuel efficiency standards, and increasing dependence on imported oil. Walter F. Deal, III. Technology and Engineering Teacher. 70.3 (Nov. 2010) p5. Word Count: 3585.Going Electric Humans by their very nature are mobile beings. From the earliest of times, when humans were hunter-gathers or nomadic peoples, they moved from one place to another in search of food, shelter, and changes
Ford and Toyota to Work Together on Hybrid System for Trucks. Nick Bunkley. The New York Times. (Aug. 23, 2011) Business News: pB3(L). Word Count: 598.DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor said on Monday that they would jointly develop a gas-electric hybrid fuel system for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles aimed at keeping larger models
Hybrid in a Trade Squeeze. Keith Bradsher. The New York Times. (Sept. 6, 2011) Business News: pB1(L). Word Count: 1625.TIANJIN, China -- For General Motors and the Obama administration, the new Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid represents the automotive future, the culmination of decades of high-tech research financed partly with federal dol
Worksheet available at http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/data/index.html
Josh Duvauchelle. Positive Impact of Hybrid Cars. Livestrong.com, 30 June 2010. Web. 2 Dec. 2011. http://www.livestrong.com/article/156156-positive-impact-of-hybrid-cars/
Post write: I feel the paper is very informational and at the same time could be focused some more. The subject is very broad and I think many people are aware of some of the facts that are in my essay. One example is presented when I mention that driving hybrids can save money and its better for the environment. I think what remains to be done involves maybe some more focusing and possibly lengthening the article as it just makes the 3 page requirement. Do you think that the essay explains the thesis well or should more depth be added to it? Is the article focused or do you feel like it’s a little all over the place?
1.In your own words, fully and with precision, describe what the assignment is asking the writer (your partner) to do? Please use your own words rather than merely quote from the assignment.
ReplyDeleteThe assignment is asking my partner to choose a trend that has had an increase or decrease, in this case, this trend is about the increase in automotive manufacturers continually offering more and more alternative fuel and hybrid cars every year since 1991. Nelson has a great first lead paragraph that is titled “alternatives” that explains the increase for more hybrid cars.
2.To what extent has your partner met the expectations of the assignment? Please pick a passage as illustration and describe what works well there. Again, try to use your own words.
My partner has met a great deal of the expectations of the assignment. In the first paragraph he explains that GM and Ford were one of the first manufacturers to sell fuel/hybrid cars. He also mentions and quotes from an author of the New York Times that car companies such as Ford, Nissan, Toyota, and two others spent billions of dollars to create electric/plug-in cars. Overall, the paper has very well-put statistics and quotes from authors of different sources and he explains positive effects of hybrid cars such as having cleaner air from better emissions, compared to the polluted air we get from oil/fuel based cars. Also he states and quotes from an individual that “electric motors convert 75 percent of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels” That is huge improvement for electric cars compared to the average oil based cars that burn fuel and pollute the air we breathe.
3.What area needs more work? Why? Please pick a passage as illustration and describe what isn’t working.
An area that needs more work is the conclusion. If its possible to expand more and reflect how hybrid cars have been effective, besides the fact they are air friendly. Other than that I enjoyed reading this essay on hybrid cars and now have a better knowledge of them.
4.Please indicate TWO questions about the draft and at least ONE suggestion for ways to improve it.
Two questions I have about the essay is that is there a good lead to grab the reader’s attention and does it explain what the trend is in a clear manner, and do you think the gas fueled cars we use today will be wiped out and in its place will be the hybrid cars to be used for generations to come? One suggestion to improve this draft to expand a little bit more on the conclusion, explaining and reflecting how suitable and accurate hybrid cars have been ever since they have been introduced.
Hi do you think you can look over my paper and edit it for me and i can do yours again for you too? i know someone did yours but i think he will give you extra credit
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