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Hybrid Car TypeOf these, the type that uses both gas/petrol engine and electric engine is the most used type. Typically, these engines use gas engines together with NIMH battery powered rechargeable electric engines to power the hybrid cars. The next generation of NIMH batteries will, however, use a type of hybrid technology named 'Eneloop'. Of the other types, ethanol-electric engines have been developed by Saab (a GM subsidiary) and the Lund University in Sweden. These engines use a combination of E85 biofuel engine together with NIMH battery powered electric one. The benefits are CO2 emission in the range of 1/4th of other hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius. Finally, the diesel-electric hybrid vehicle type has shown great promise in delivering substantially increased fuel economy. The concept diesel-electric engine from VW has achieved some 118 MPG under test conditions. The first diesel-electric car is expected to achieve the mass car market sometime in 2010, about the same time as the first ethanol-diesel car from Saab is expected to arrive.
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