'Lectric Style
I decided to rent from a no-name rental car company this trip. Even as I was making the reservation, I kept thinking that this was going to be a mistake. When I arrived at the airport, I had to call the no-name rental car company – they don’t run buses on a regular basis. The number they proved in my confirmation email was WRONG. After making many calls, I finally got a hold of the right office. “We’ll send the bus, be 10 minutes or less”. An hour later, the bus arrives. Great. After standing in line to get my car for 45 minutes, they put me in a Focus. Not too bad, it was new(ish). I loaded my luggage and started to head out. In my rearview mirror, I see the desk clerk come out of the building, holding some paperwork yelling at me to stop. He comes up to my window huffing and puffing. He tells me that they cant give me *that* car, it has been reserved for someone else. Instead, he will “upgrade” me at no charge. How nice. What did I get? A Honda Civic – HYBRID. Ooohhhh.. Now this is an interesting twist. I am aware that there are hybrid cars on the road. But, never had the desire to drive one or even own one. But, No-Name Rent-A-Car had presented me an opportunity. Live with a Hybrid for a week. So, how is it? I am pleasantly surprised. Its not at all the super-wimpy car that I thought it would be. It feels and drives like any other Civic. Really amazing feat of engineering (Honda Engineers know their stuff!). Its really not so much an electric car, but more of an electrically assisted gas powered car. The engine runs most fo the time, and the electric motor just assists the 85 hp engine. The most notable change is when you stop, the engine turns off. Just like that. The car switches over to battery power. The AC still runs (no compressor), the radio still plays – no engine. To restart the engine, just lift you foot off the brake, the engine restarts. It really adds no delay to take off. Between the time it takes to move from the brake to the gas pedal, the engine restarts and is ready to go. It works. Its not a road burner, it’s a Civic. But it works. Gas mileage? In the 40s. Would I buy one? Not a Civic. Would I buy a hybrid? Not yet. But for a first generation from Honda, its very livable. Do I have a sense of satisfaction for driving an ultra-low emission vehicle? Nope. But, I would imagine in the next few years, these types of cars will be more popular. They are still not completely answering the petrol use problem, but they are a start. They help to get JoePublic used to hybrid cars on the road.