Honda has become one of the top car manufacturers when it comes to the latest craze in the automotive world - hybrid vehicles. Honda has followed in the footsteps of vehicle manufacturing companies like Toyota and Ford who have created a number of their automobile models in hybrid form.

But what is the difference between hybrid cars and the gasoline powered vehicles we have become accustomed to in the past? Hybrids run by combining sources of power to fuel the automobile. Today's hybrid vehicles combine gasoline with electric power to run. By not relying solely on gas as fuel power to power the auto, hybrids use less fuel and omit fewer fumes into the already damaged atmosphere.

With global warming becoming more and more of a concern, hybrid powered vehicles are growing in recognition. Hybrid vehicles use gas incorporated with an electric motor powered by batteries to fuel the automobile. When the auto is being used in typical day-to-day driving scenarios where there is a lot of stop-and-go traffic, hybrid powered vehicles rely heavily upon their battery performance. When use of the fuel motor takes place, or when the automobile slows down or brakes, the electric battery pack is able to recharge itself, readying itself for more use powered by the electric power plant rather than the gasoline motor.

In recent years Honda has put models of some of their most popular cars and trucks on the market as hybrids. The Honda Acura, Honda Insight and Honda Civic, some of the company's top selling cars, trucks and suvs can now be bought as standard gas-powered cars, trucks and suvs or as hybrids. Honda began its sale of hybrids in 2005, the same year as many other automobile manufacturers. However, now Honda is predicting at least double the sales of their new 2006 hybrid models. That may seem like lofty prediction to make but for many Americans; the rising prices at the gas tank make hybrid powered vehicles the perfect idea.

Hondas gas/electric cars will surely save money at the fuel pump, getting approximately thirty miles per gallon for city driving and thirty seven per gallon on the highway. The typical Honda automobile powered solely by gas gets approximately twenty one miles per gallon for city driving and thirty one miles per gallon on the highway. That is a considerable difference for people who find themselves filling their gas tanks three of four times a week at prices nearing three dollars per gallon.

The cost for Honda hybrids does raise some. When comparing the standard Honda Acura to its hybrid counterpart the hybrid cost approximately $4,000 more. However, for many people who purchase hybrid cars, the initial expense seems to even out when seeing the money saved at the gas pump and the environmental safety the hybrid cars bring.

That's right; gasoline prices are not the only reason that makes hybrids a smarter choice. With a growing need for environmentally safe cars, Hondas hybrid powered vehicles have become more and more popular. Places in the united states that have been plagued by heavy pollution, like the state of California; have seen a growing trend in the purchase of hybrid cars over regular cars and trucks. As a matter-of-fact, millions of Americans are currently living in areas that have poor air quality.

Hybrid vehicles could provide the beginning of a solution to this problem. Without a doubt hybrids will provide somewhat of a reprieve from dire air quality. Since companies such as Honda have worked so hard to develop effective hybrid models, hybrid vehicles have become a glimpse of the future available today. Many engineers and automobile manufacturers believe that hybrids will eventually begin to gain significant ground in sales.

Although the autos keep becoming more and more popular amongst American shoppers, it is believed that it will be short time until the hybrid vehicle becomes the standard. As a matter-of-fact, companies like Honda that have been conducting research on hybrid vehicles for years have known that this technology would be coming. Hondas hard work over the past few years has undoubtedly paid of, putting them at the top when it comes to hybrid competition. And without a doubt the research will continue to provide society with an even more practical way of getting around.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get new vehicle prices and reviews at http://www.newcarpricesandreviews.com