2013 Made in the USA Hybrid Cars
In the opening of the 21st century America’s auto presence took a beating. While American manufacturers focused on bigger vehicles with bigger engines or mid-sized vehicles with lackluster exterior and interiors, international manufacturers began focusing on either making the interiors of the vehicles higher quality or increasing fuel economy at a lower price point. After fuel prices peaked in 2008 more manufacturers began releasing Hybrid technology, a combination of a gas powered engine and an electric motor, and more Americans were suddenly accepting of it. Fast forward to 2013 and Detroit and other areas of American automotive manufacturing are churning out all kinds of Hybrid options for consumers.
Hybrid cars are no longer a niche market. What started with the first mainstream Hybrid, the Toyota Prius, is quickly becoming the new normal. A cottage industry is popping up in major USA cities to install electric vehicle charging stations for plugin hybrids, e-assist hybrids are available on most mainline American sedans, and full non-plugin Hybrids are transcending from the small stature cars to bigger full size sedans and even trucks and SUV’s. Gas prices are climbing, getting close to the 2008 peak again, this time Detroit might be ready to help consumers save at the pump or skip it completely. Here are some of the top 2013 Hybrid cars made in the USA.
Fig. 1 – 96 Month US Average gas prices from GasBuddy.com
2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid
The 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid comes with an EPA-certified 47 miles per gallon and is one of the first full-sized hybrids on the market. Ford calls the C-Max a “Multi-Activity Vehicle” or MAV instead of a Crossover SUV or SUV. The vehicle comes in two flavors, a full gas electric Hybrid or a Plug-in Hybrid. The Plug-in Hybrid comes with 240-Volt Leviton charging station. Ford is working with Best Buy’s Geek Squad to install the units in your home for a hassle-free EV Experience. The station will fully charge your vehicle’s battery in just 3 hours.
2013 marks a banner moment for Ford’s EV and Hybrid vehicles and for consumers worried about another problem with energy dependence developing as hybrid cars become more popular. Ford engineers designed the vehicles to move away from NiMH batteries which use rare earth metals and instead uses Lithium ION batteries. That lowers the end cost for the consumer and makes the batteries lighter and smaller. This also cuts down on foreign energy dependence for the rare earth metals, which China currently has large interest in.
Highlights:
- MPG – 47-mpg, EPA-certified
- Reduces usage of rare earth metals.
2013 Chevy Malibu Eco e-assist Hybrid
Chevy didn’t stop their hybrid ambitions at the Chevy Volt. The 2013 Chevy Malibu is the beginning of the eighth generation of the car that started in the late 1970’s. The Malibu eco e-assist will be a global car sold in markets around the world taking the place of other GM vehicles. This is not a typical full hybrid car. The Malibu Eco comes with a battery located in the truck that provides additional horsepower when needed powers electrical devices when stopped. This innovation nets the car a 25% boost in fuel economy with a combined MPG of 29 miles per gallon. The 2013 Chevy Malibu reviews have been incredibly positive so far and point to a likely award winning year like in 2008 when the car’s non-hybrid version won North American Car of the Year.
Highlights:
- e-assist hybrid
- 25% increase in fuel economy for Malibu
2013 Ford Fusion SE Hybrid
Ford was the first American manufacturer to make a mass production hybrid car with the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, which was the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in North America at the time. The 2013 incarnation might beat out international competitors for that crown with an estimated (non-EPA confirmed) MPG of 46 miles per gallon. The 2013 Fusion doesn’t owe its fuel economy just to Ford’s improvements in EV battery technology, but also to the use of an Atkinson Cycle engine. These gas engines use unconventional valve timing to improve thermal efficiency and improved fuel economy.
Highlights:
- 45-mpg (unconfirmed)
- Atkinson Cycle engine
Fig. 2 – 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid from Ford.com. Sexiest American hybrid?
2013 Chevy Volt
The Chevy Volt was by all measurements the second major production hybrid to be made in the United States. The car represented a new direction for General Motors which had been pushing large SUV’s through most of their major brands. The car is one of Chevy’s most award winning in recent years with the 2009 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 Green Car of the Year, 2011 North American Car of the Year, 2011 World Green Car and the 2012 European Car of the Year.
The 2013 model year aims to keep the slew of awards coming by increasing the pure EV range of the car from 35 to 38 miles. That helps the cars MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) increase from 94-MPGe to 98-MPGe with an effective total range of 380 miles. The EPA estimates a yearly cost of fuel for the car at $650.
- 98-MPGe (equivalent)
- Range – 380 miles
- Full charge time – 10.5 hours
2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
The Toyota Avalon is a full size sedan manufactured by Toyota USA in Georgetown, Kentucky. The Toyota Avalon Hybrid will be a first of its kind as a full size hybrid family sedan. The Avalon Hybrid beats out its cousin, the Camry Hybrid, in both weight and combined MPG. The car boats a combined 40-mpg using Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive to boost fuel economy.
Highlights:
- 1st full size sedan hybrid
- Made in Kentucky
- MPG – 40-mpg (estimated)
Being green and patriotic has never been easier. American consumers are being treated with a vast array of fuel saving options that are both good for the environment and good for the wallet. America’s automakers are stepping up to deliver fuel efficient cars for almost every budget and the trend doesn’t show any signs of stopping. If you’re finally ready for the next evolution of automobiles start by comparing domestic and foreign hybrid cars with the US Governments FuelEconomy.gov website.
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