Archives – March 9, 2012

Hybrid Cars: How Do They Work


Everybody knows of the existence of hybrid cars. They are generally catalogued as expensive but highly efficient. Although hybrid car technology is still in its infancy, the industry is taking important steps to take the hybrid technology to the top.

The Power Trains of Hybrid Cars

The main difference between hybrid cars and traditional cars is that a hybrid car has two power trains: an electric motor and a gas-powered motor. The purpose is to use the electrical motor in low-power situations and the traditional motor in high power situations. The electrical motor derives its energy from a battery, while the traditional engine works with fuel.

Recharging of the Battery

It sounds great but how does it actually work? The car switches to the traditional engine once the battery is depleted or when driving conditions are difficult and require more power. The battery is recharged by the rotation of the traditional motor. There are hybrid car models which use the braking momentum and turn it into electricity through generators attached to the breaking system. This energy is then redirected to the battery which is thus recharged.

The Differences Between Power Trains

Unlike the internal combustion motors, the electric motors can produce maximum power from a full stop. They can also stop the car without using the brakes. A vision for decades, the electrical motor is very efficient when accelerating. However, in order to be powerful and provide energy for high power situations, they require huge, heavy and expensive batteries. Technology is advancing and it is highly probable that some invention will reduce battery size.

Meanwhile, hybrid cars provide the best of both electric engines and traditional engines. Naturally, hybrid cars are initially more expensive than conventional cars simply because they have two motors and large battery packs. On the long term, the fuel and maintenance savings make up for the higher purchasing price.

Types of Hybrid Cars

There are two main types of hybrid cars, depending on whether they can drive by relying entirely on electric power.

  • Full hybrid cars are mainly relying on the electric motor and they only use the traditional engine when the situation demands higher acceleration. They start off silently and they are very efficient as far as fuel consumption. The engine can even turn itself off at low speeds.
  • Mild hybrids on the other hand are working just the opposite and are using electric motor just to supplement power to the traditional motor. They are not as efficient as full hybrids as far as fuel consumption goes and they are a bit more expensive, as well.



1 Comment March 9, 2012

Hybrid Cars: Going Green and Saving Gas










The fact that hybrid cars are somehow more expensive than conventional cars makes people forget the efficiency of hybrids in general. In fact, the initial cost of a hybrid car is soon paid off by the fuel efficiency of the car on the long term. Hybrids are conceived to use less fuel whether that fuel is diesel, gasoline or ethanol. In fact, the very essence of a hybrid and the very purpose of a hybrid are to reduce fuel consumption and thus the impact on the environment.

How Does It Save Gas?

The hybrid car requires two power trains in order to propel the car. The point is to use the less powerful, but non-pollutant and energy-saving electrical motor when the driving conditions do not require exceptional power. The electric engine uses the electricity stored in the batteries thus saving a lot of your gas consumption. This is how the hybrid usually saves gas:

  • The gasoline engine turns off at red lights and when coasting or idling, diminishing the amount of gas used to propel the car.
  • The electric engine takes over in low-powered traffic situations and thus it reduces the fuel consumption.
  • The brake momentum energy is stored by a generator and used to power the batteries of the electric engine.
  • The electric engine provides full power right from the start without having to accelerate and consume fuel in order to reach a certain power level.

Things to Know About Hybrid Cars and Fuel Efficiency

The hybrid car is saving gas by definition. The simple fact that it has an electric engine that supplies part of the driving force is enough for the hybrid to be considered a fuel-efficient car. Naturally, hybrids can save more or less fuel depending on the type of technology they are using and your driving habits.

Saving Money

Fuel can be measured in gallons, but it can also measured in money. Some fuels are more expensive than others are and also prices are different from country to country and even from to neighborhood.

Some cars are full hybrids and others are mild hybrids. The full hybrid vehicles use mainly the electric engine and they are not as powerful but they are definitely consuming a lot less fuel. Mild hybrids use less the electric engine and they are not as fuel efficient as full hybrids but they are still more efficient than conventional cars. No matter how you look at it, hybrid cars are cost saving solutions when it comes to conventional and even alternative fuels.



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