Hybrid cars are all the rage these days. Most of the major car manufacturers have their own lines, and the ones that do not are quickly attempting to catch up and release some. Even though you may already own a hybrid car, you may not be aware of how it works. This article covers the basics for how hybrid cars actually work.
Types of Hybrid Cars
There are two main types of hybrid cars on the market today. The first of these is the traditional form of hybrid vehicle. These are completely electric cars. They come with electric motors that power all of the axles and wheels, along with batteries which supply the electric motor with electricity.
The second of these is the gasoline engine concept which runs a generator. In these variants, the engine itself is tiny, containing typically no more than ten to twenty horsepower. These cars and their engines are intended to operate at only a single speed to attain optimal efficiency.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles
HEV’s, or Hybrid Electric Vehicles , merge the advantages of both electric motors and gasoline engines. These can be set up for different end results, including increased power, better fuel economy, or extra auxiliary power used for power tools and electronic devices. The engine itself is a tiny and efficient engine with only sufficient power to run the car at its cruising speed. When the car is being accelerated, its batteries supply the additionally necessary power. While the car is standing still at a stop light, or when it is decelerating, the batteries use that opportunity to recharge. These are more or less electric cars which utilize their built in recharger to be capable of having an extended range. Their principal advantage lies in the fantastic gas mileage that such hybrid electric vehicles get.
Hybrid Technologies
There are a variety of state of the art technologies commonly utilized by hybrid vehicles. These include regenerative braking, electric motor drive and assist, and automatic start and shutoff. These are explained briefly below.
Regenerative Braking
Electric motors in these hybrid-electric cars use resistance supplied to the drive train in order to make the wheels slow down. As a trade off, the energy which comes from the wheels turns the motor itself. This operates as a generator, which converts the energy of a car that is commonly lost in braking and coasting into electricity. The electricity created is then kept in a battery until the electric motor again needs it.
Electric Motor Drive and Assist
This electric motor also supplies extra power to the engine to help it with acceleration, climbing hills, or passing another vehicle on the road. In such a way, a tinier, more fuel efficient engine can be utilized in the hybrid car. Internal combustion engines demonstrate their least degree of efficiency at low speed driving, where the electric motors do their best.
Automatic Start and Shutoff
This features permits the engine to be literally shut off. It is only done when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. The engine is then restarted by the computer when the person presses the accelerator. Like this, there is no energy wasted while the car is idling for an extended period.
References:
How Stuff Works: Hybrid Car
ABC News: How Do Hybrid Cars Work?
- What is a Hybrid Car and How Does it Work?
- How Does a Hybrid Car Work?
- How Do Electric Cars Work?
- What is a Hybrid Car?
- Used Toyota Prius Hybrid
