Unique Bedfellows Make HEV Alternative
The demand for a green alternative to the gasoline-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) is becoming increasingly urgent around the world. For jurisdictions that do not have clean diesel fuel, such as North America, the answer is either to own a very small car, such as a Toyota Echo Hatchback, or to buy a hybrid (HEV).
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| The latest automaker to announce it is getting on the rapidly growing hybrid bandwagon is Nissan, with its gasoline-electric Altima. (Photo: Nissan Canada) |
The hybrid concept, put into motion by Honda's Insight and Toyota's Prius, combines the environmental friendliness of electric power with the unlimited range of gasoline. While Honda will bring out additional HEV models and Toyota has announced that most of its popular cars, SUVs and trucks will be available with HEV technology, additional manufacturers such as GM and Ford, as well as Toyota's Lexus nameplate will soon be getting into the game.
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| Unlike the Toyota Prius, Nissan's new hybrid will be based on an already existing best-selling car. (Photo: Nissan Canada) |
The most recent automaker to make the HEV announcement is Nissan, having decided to make a gasoline-electric hybrid from its popular midsize Altima sedan. Rather than taking the route of Honda and Toyota, which chose to go with unique purpose-built HEV vehicles the first time around (you couldn't initially get a hybrid-powered Civic and still can't get a Corolla HEV for instance), Nissan has chosen to add an HEV powerplant to a vehicle that is already established. Like the Honda Civic Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h, the Altima is based on a top-selling car, giving buyers merely another option on a list of engines and powertrains.