Environmentally Friendly Hybrid Green Cars

In the auto industry currently, Hybrid cars have begun its foray in dominating the roads of our future and are probably the most endorsed route by global environmentalist, politicians, and the masses. Barring potential economic downturn, the global car manufacturing industry is expected to thrive again with the advent of the Hybrid Car.

Hybrid Car Market Share On Target

Still early in its product adoption curve, the proud Hybrid Car market share has broken 3% for the first time in April 2008, when record gas prices sent summer sales through the roof. It is expected that as the adoption stage progress, hybrid market share of around 8% by the end of 2009 is possible.

Research shows that on current growth rates and market-share figures from the past seven years, conversely however, a whopping 9 percent market share for hybrids in 2009 and a ripe 17 percent share by the end of 2010. The discrepancies are probably due to both consumers’ purchasing preferences and more so, supply issues. Hybrid Car manufacturers are struggling to keep up with demand with a long six-month waiting lists in parts of the country for the Toyota Prius, currently the best-selling hybrid model.

Too Optimistic for The Economy?
An optimistic analysis based on the theory of innovation and the history of the auto market suggests that the hype about hybrids is justified and indicates the possibility, although remote by today’s economic crisis situation that hybrids should account for a robust 17 percent share of total vehicle sales as early as 2010. How much politicians and environmentalists can push this ambitious plan towards reality is for all to guess. The green revolution may have to bide by its time when the rest of the world is in economic turmoil at the moment.

Start Ups & Venture Capitalists, Now’s the Time

While we, as consumers, can afford to hold on till the demand and supply equilibrate themselves for a better pricing structure, start ups and venture capitalists are not resting on their laurels. The toil to make a better hybrid car for the future and create a better environment for all has begun long ago. In fact, some hard work have already started bearing fruits.

Is Being Small More Efficient And Nimble?
What makes venture capitalists on the West Coast, more accurately, California’s Silicon Valley, different from the stodgy Detroit Car manufacturers? Their ability to think outside of the box, without the union shackles that pinned Detroit throughout the years labor issues, healthcare costs. Conversely, despite exuding enthusiasm and funding money, they lack experience in the car business which is the ultimate means to survival in a very competitive industry.

Despite the above, there are more start up car manufacturing companies today hoping to latch on to the hybrid cars adoption uptrend and they could potentially be the next important companies of the future.

The venture capitalists, who funded the information superhighway, are now pouring money into the actual highway, backing at least 30 small start-up companies.

Fisker Automotive, the maker of the “Karma,” a four-door plug-in hybrid like the Volt, innovates with a solar power roof.

Tesla Motors is one such company is based in Silicon Valley and is aggressively making waves to solicit orders for its future hybrid cars, high-performance sports and utility cars. At the time of this article, in October 2008, is taking orders at the last count of 1,000 for its “Roadster” which is capable of hitting 0-60mph in 4 seconds. The Roadster is touted to be twice as efficient as the Toyota Prius. The cost, however, is at least 4 times that of the Prius.

Tesla Motors unveiled its first Tesla Family Electric Saloon, the “Tesla Model S” in March 2009, capable of achieving 300 miles per charge, carries 7 passengers, twice as efficient aa a hybrid car. The Tesla Electric Family Saloon will be available by 2011, but the order books are opened now.

Yes, numerous start ups have jumped on the Hybrid Car bandwagon and the message is clear that Hybrid and Electric cars are here to stay. The challenge is achieving economies of scale which eventually equates to palatable prices for the averaged income families to afford.

The key issue is how long more is needed for the Hybrid technology to stabilize, standardize and economize for the mass public to afford one.

For more reads, check out the other categories at Hybrid Cars And Environmentally Friendly Cars.