Do you know what a hybrid car really is?
Toyota made the first hybrid car accessible to the world in 1997, and most people will know the term ”hybrid”, mostly associating it with cars and relating it to ”green driving” as well as very low fuel consumption – but before actually consider buying a hybrid – it’s probably best to know what the term ”hybrid” actually means when it comes to cars.
Luckily there exists people such as John Curtis from Motor Happy, who describes how hybrid technology works without the unnecessary technical jargon. Here are some questions you may have about hybrid technology answered:
WHAT IS A HYBRID VEHICLE?
Vehicles are usually described as being ‘hybrid’ if they contain two or more power sources. Most hybrid cars on the road feature dual power sources – an engine and an electric motor. However, the way these interact with one another means there are three distinct variations on the hybrid theme.
1. A ‘full’ hybrid system, means that it uses two entirely separate powerplants – battery-powered electric motor and petrol-driven combustion engine. Each of these sources can power the car alone.
2. The second kind of hybrid is described as being ‘parallel’. In this instance, primary power comes from a combustion engine, but it is directly assisted by an electric motor installed between the engine block and gearbox.
3. Finally, the third kind of hybrid is driven by an electric motor alone; the combustion engine has no direct connection to the transmission, so it is only onboard to generate electricity to power the electric motor.
HOW DOES A HYBRID WORK?
There are six primary components in all hybrid vehicles: an engine (petrol or diesel), electric motor, electric generator, battery, power control unit, and a power split device that uses a special gearbox to distribute power from the engine, motor and generator. A full hybrid can best be described as a smart, fuel-saving technology that switches seamlessly and automatically between the electric motor and engine.
HOW ARE THE HYBRID BATTERIES CHARGED?
In standard hybrids (not plug in) two methods are employed to charge the hybrid battery. As well as using energy from the engine for charging, hybrids also charge the battery through regenerative braking, a system which harvests braking energy.
DO I HAVE TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY TO MAKE THE MOST OF HYBRID TECHNOLOGY?
You do not, as hybrids are fully automatic and designed to optimise the use of precious fossil fuel for each driver. You’ll notice a slight lag when you press the accelerator as the brain works out the best way to get you going. To get the full advantage of a hybrid, the new hybrid driver might want to consider a ”fuel efficient driving” training course.
REASONS TO BUY A HYBRID?
For some people the additional cost of a hybrid vehicle can be a deterrent, however it has been described that ”owning one is like converting religions and realising you just spent your life with the wrong group” – and in the long term you will easily save the extra cash you had to spend on buying the car.
There are quite a few advantages of owning a hybrid (other than the obvious ”eco-friendliness” of the car) – discounts on insurance, lower fuel costs, lower long-term costs and knowing you have invested in trying to ”save the earth” against the wrath of global warming are just a few of them. We say if you can, you should opt for a hybrid – being ”green” will always be a trend!