Hybrid cars available in the UK

The UK automotive market is coming around to the idea of hybrid cars. Whilst not initially a major market for the hybrid technologies the increased concerns within the British car buying market for more ecologically friendly methods of transport has seen more and more car manufacturers converting their hybrid car ranges for UK use.

Added to that is the large fuel savings hybrid cars are able to pass on to their owners, with the electrical charge being used for slow driving and reversing anyone who drives within a city will see a dramatic drop in their petrol usage when they switch from a combustion engine only to a hybrid technology powered car.

So as the UK market is waking up to the benefits of owning hybrid cars, so are the manufacturers waking up to the financial benefits of providing the increasingly hybrid hungry UK market with their hybrid ranges.

With the likes of Porsche and Mercedes due to be releasing hybrid cars within 2009 they will be adding to an already maturing market, with some top car ranges currently available to UK buyers. These models may push away any notion that hybrid does not mean high class motoring.

Toyota has the best selling and award winning Toyota Prius available in the UK, a favorite of buyers on both sides of the Atlantic. On top of that, more choice is provided in the shape of Lexus' excellent hybrid range, including the Lexus GS 450h, the RX 400h and the LS 600h. Honda has also entered the market with their Honda Civic IMA Hybrid model.

Also, although it didn't make as much of a splash as they'd hoped, Germany-based Infineon in December announced their technologies which they claim reduces the weight and size of a hybrid's motor drive system.

Whereas with a typical hybrid, the motor drive system's size and weight can negatively affect efficiency, Infineon says its new HybridPACK modules are 25 percent smaller than other power modules, and yet provide the vehicle the same amount of output power.

The company promises the devices will convert more electricity, yet using the same amount of battery power. One other advantage cited by Infineon: they don't require an extra coolant loop as many hybrids do, since the device can operate at temperatures as high as 150 degrees Celsius.

On top of all of this, Honda promises it will be introducing three new hybrid vehicles in 2010, with plans to continue expanding production beyond that.

With such a variety available, and huge expansion plans from most major hybrid companies for 2009, the UK hybrid car buying public is well served with options to help reduce their carbon dioxide usage whilst driving.