How Hybrid Cars Work

Many consumers aren't satisfied to know that hybrid cars achieve excellent fuel economy and reduced emmissions, but also are also curious about how they work. Three primary components are integrated to make a hybrid: an internal combustion gas engine, an electric motor and a high-powered battery. A process called regenerative braking is used to capture energy and charge the battery. This is energy that would normally be lost during coasting or decelerating. The battery which is continuously recharged through this process provides power to the electric motor. If necessary, power from the gasoline engine may also be diverted to charge the battery. These charging strategies create an electrical power system that never needs to be plugged in to charge from an external source.

Those are the basics of hybrid cars in general. We will divide hybrids into two categories to examine further how the three components work together. Each category of hybrids incorporates the three components in its own way.

Mild Hybrids -
In the mild hybrid configuration the electric motor is not able to function independently of the gas internal combustion engine. The vehicle is powered primarily by the gas engine, and the electric motor only provides supplemental power to assist when needed. The electric motor is capable of drawing energy from the battery or generating electricity to charge the battery, but it isn't capable of doing both at the same time. The Honda Civic and Insight are mild hybrid cars.

Full Hybrids -
Full hybrid cars integrate the three components in a way that allows the electric motor and the gas engine to operate independently of each other. For instance the electric motor is capable of operating on its own to provide light acceleration at low speeds.

The gas engine then starts up and takes over at higher speeds. Both the electric motor and gas engine can operate in unison when more power is needed during hard acceleration, such as when climbing hills. Full hybrids are also able to draw energy from the battery and charge it at the same time. The Toyota Prius and Ford Escape are full hybrids.

Despite their differences, both types of hybrid cars achieve the goal of increased fuel economy and decreased emissions over standard gas or diesel powered vehicles.

Pros & Cons Of Hybrid Cars!

Finding the Best Hybrid Cars in the Market

How Hybrid Cars Work

History of Hybrid Cars

The history of the hybrid car begins in 1899 when Ferdinand Porsche engineered the first successful hybrid-electric vehicle. Hobbyists have continued building hybrids since that time, but no major auto manufacturers put a hybrid car into mass production until late in the twentieth century. The widest utilization of hybrid technology during that interim period was actually in diesel-electric submarines. They essentially operate in the same manner as a hybrid car, however the goal in submarines was to economize oxygen rather than fuel. Submarines have since evolved to nuclear power though several nations still rely on diesel-electric technology.

The introduction of the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius in the 1990s marked the first true success of hybrid car technology. Plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles were developed in the 2000s. The PHEVs can be recharged by plugging in to the electrical power grid, and for short trips can operate without conventional fuel. Renault released the firstr PHEV production model dubbed the Kangoo in 2003.

Since its release, the Prius has remained in high demand. Newer designs of hybrid cars are less expensive and look more like their conventional counterparts. The new hybrids often look and perform exactly as their gas-powered siblings, but deliver 50% better fuel efficiency. For instance, the Honda Civic Hybrid looks exactly like the gas version. But it gets 50 miles per gallon.

In 2004 the first hybrid SUV, the Ford Escape Hybrid was introduced. 2005 saw two new hybrid SUVs in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h. Within the coming decade, Toyota has plans to add hybrid drivetrains to every model of vehicle it produces. Honda has also released the Accord Hybrid, and Nissan is planning a hybrid model of the Altima.

Hybrid car registrations in the United States rose 25.8% between 2002 and 2003. California has the most hybrid cars registered. Toyota sold 306,862 hybrids between 1997 and November 2004. Honda sold 81,867 hybrids between 1999 and November 2004.


Pros & Cons Of Hybrid Cars!