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Non-Tech : Alternative energy -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Road Walker who wrote (4343)	2/25/2008 9:15:36 PM
From: A.J. Mullen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 16955

There are times you want to slow the car. Most cars do that using brakes: the energy of motion is converted into heat by the friction of the brakes. Hybrids can do that, but they also use the wheels to spin the motor, rather than vice versa, and that generates electricity. If electricity wasn't being generated the engine would be less effective as a brake. When you stopping your car you need to get rid of energy that exists by virtue of its motion. The conventional car dissipates that as heat. A hybrid converts some into electricity which is stored for later. I hope that helps. Ashley

To: Road Walker who wrote (4343)	2/26/2008 2:19:46 AM
From: Doren	Respond to of 16955

Then I guess hybrids don't save energy. You are correct. Sort of. The engine generates power. Then the energy is transferred to the wheels. It really depends on the which transferring device is more efficient. Electric cars have to get their power from somewhere too. Some of this is about the difference in cost between generating electricity from various sources or generating power from gas. Which is cheaper? Which is better for the environment.