India receives its first Hybrid car. The Honda Civic Sedan, a petrol and electric version of its Civic Sedan, is environment friendly and fuel efficient than most cars. Cost is exorbitant. With a price tag of Rs. 21.5 lakhs, which is twice the cost of the petrol Civic, its fuel efficiency will be 47% higher and will also have lower emissions. It consists of a 1.3 litre engine, combining an electric motor powered from a battery.

The most rich people will probably purchase the hybrid car. The CEO Masahiro Yakedagawa said that around 100 prominent people as well as a few corporates booked the car. He said his main purpose in selling the car was to give the Indian people an opportunity to have a taste of this new technology.

Two different sources run the hybrid- an engine, which is internal combustion based, running on petrol as well as an electric battery by which an electric motor is powered. An outlet system for charging is not required for the battery system of the hybrid. It is automatically charged by a regenerative braking system, whereby the energy that is lost through coasting or breaking helps in powering the electric motor.

In order to save energy, one has to switch off the internal combustion engine when the car stops or is running at low speed. It helps in reducing fuel consumption and emissions. While the car gathers speed and increases acceleration, the petrol engine automatically comes into operation. While the car is on speed, the battery gets recharged and the energy is recovered from regenerative braking.

source:TOI June 19, 2008