As we all know the vehicle is identified by the fuel that the car is using like petrol, diesel, CNG, and electric. Nowadays term called hybrid cars are trending in the automotive market and vehicle companies are promoting hybrid cars with an increase in demand. Do you know what is the meaning of a hybrid car? How do hybrid cars work? What are the benefits of a hybrid Car? Types of hybrid cars? What are the disadvantages of a hybrid car?
What Is The Meaning Of A Hybrid Car?
Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. In other words, hybrid cars run on petrol or diesel engine along with one or more electric motors. Sometimes it runs on an internal combustion engine, sometimes it runs on an electric motor or both.
Hybrid cars come with two batteries. One dedicated to the combustion engine and one dedicated to the electric motor. The battery is charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine and can not be plugged in to charge the battery. Since it uses both the combustion engine and electric motor it is known as a hybrid car.
How Do Hybrid Cars Work?
When you start the hybrid car, power is supplied by the Internal combustion engine and it is supported by an electric motor as and when required. In some cases, both the Internal combustion engine and the electric motor independently run the car.
Electricity for the electric motor comes from a high-voltage battery which is dedicated to the electric motor as we mentioned earlier.
This high-voltage battery is charged through 2 options. One is by capturing energy from deceleration that’s typically lost to the heat generated by the brakes in normal cars generally known as regenerative braking and the second is through its internal combustion engine.
What Is Regenerative Braking?
Let us understand what is regenerative braking
When you apply a brake in a normal convectional car excess kinetic energy is converted to unwanted and wasted heat due to friction in the brakes.
Where in the hybrid car same excess kinetic energy is absorbed into electricity to charge its battery and boost its efficiency. In addition to improving the overall efficiency of the vehicle, it also extends the life of the braking system as it avoids friction in the braking.
Each car manufacturer has different hybrid designs to accomplish different combinations of power and efficiency.
What Are The Types Of Hybrid Cars?
There are multiple types of hybrid cars designed in the market. We have mentioned the Major 4 types of hybrid cars below.
- Full Hybrid
- Mild Hybrid
- Series Hybrid
- Parallel Hybrid
1. Full Hybrid
Full hybrids are complete hybrid models that can be operated using both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor independently or together. They offer electric-only mode for short distances, and the Internal combustion engine takes over for longer journeys or more power required.
2. Mild Hybrid
In a mild hybrid, the electric motor primarily assists the engine and cannot independently run the car. It provides an additional power boost during acceleration or as and when required.
4. Series Hybrid
Series hybrids in which running is depending only on the electric motor. The internal combustion engine serves as a generator to recharge and maintain the battery. The engine does not directly drive the wheels but supports the electric motor to extend the vehicle’s overall range.
5. Parallel Hybrid
In parallel hybrid cars, Internal combustion engines independently run the car with the electric motor providing additional power during certain situations. In this case, the electric motor supports the engine in delivering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
What Are The Benefits Of A Hybrid Car?
Economical And Energy Efficient
Hybrid cars work with a combination of a combustion engine and an electric motor producing efficient performance. Hybrid cars offer 30-40% more mileage compared to conventional cars. This is the major benefit of hybrid car and one of the reasons why demand for hybrid cars are increasing today.
Less Wear And Tear
As you know hybrid cars work on regenerative braking technology, which reduces the excessive heating and wear of the braking system. This is one of the benefits of a hybrid car.
Additional Torque
As the internal combustion engine is supported by an electric motor it produces enough torque to throttle a car. A hybrid car has a more punchy performance compared to conventional cars.
Environment-Friendly
Hybrid cars are efficient and consume less gasoline fuel as it uses electric motor partially. Comparatively, it emits less pollution. It is environmentally friendly.
Less Dependency On Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy. And price of the petrol and diesel are increasing rapidly. And internal combustion engines produce environmental pollution and are not eco-friendly. Hybrid cars partially use an electric motor and have less dependency on fossil fuels.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Hybrid Car?
High Price
The cost of the hybrid is higher and not affordable to all buyers. Need to invest extra money for the hybrid variant. This is the major disadvantage of buying a hybrid car.
Less Option available
Only a few manufacturers and models are available in the hybrid segment. You have very less options to select the model and the variant. Buying a car only for the hybrid engine is not everyone’s choice. This is one of the drawbacks of hybrid cars
Service And Maintenance Reach
Hybrid engines are advanced technology and need a well-qualified professional to repair and maintain them. Every time you need to rush to the manufacturer’s service center and it doesn’t matter how far from your place and how minor the issue is. This is one of the limitations of hybrid cars.
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you to understand the basic concept behind the hybrid cost. We have explained to you the meaning of a hybrid car, how it works, the types of hybrid cars, its benefits, and its limitation. It all depends upon the purpose of the car you are looking for. If you find personally that hybrid car is value for money then you can just go for it.