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What are hybrid cars. Are they worth the hype

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A hybrid electric vehicle is a vehicle that combines a conventional gasoline or diesel engine with one or more electric motors powered by the battery. The engine is meant to increase the propulsion power of the engine, although some hybrids can rely solely on electric power for short distances. These cars are gaining popularity due to their fuel economy benefits and their reputation for being more environmentally friendly.

Diesel hybrids are much rarer than gasoline hybrids because, despite technological advances, combining engines with electric power systems is more complex and expensive. Due to the torque characteristics of the engine, diesel units do not naturally complement traction motors in the same way as most gasoline units.

HOW DOES A HYBRID CAR WORK?

How a hybrid car works

These vehicles typically feature an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and a battery. However, there are now several types of hybrids on the market, and each type works in a slightly different way.

First, you need to know the difference between full hybrids (FHEV) and mild hybrids (MHEV). MHEV systems have smaller batteries, meaning they do not have the capacity to run solely on electricity. The electric motor is there to give the gasoline engine a boost during acceleration. Full hybrids, on the other hand, have a large enough capacity to operate in EV mode for short distances.

  • iSeries HEV
    This type of hybrid can use both power sources, or sometimes switch to all-electric power for a short period. In a series HEV system, only the electric motor drives the wheels, and the engine is used solely to power a separate generator which in turn gives a boost to the motor. A controller detects when and how much power is needed and from which source.
    These FHEVs have a regenerative braking system that uses wasted energy to recharge the battery. The motor helps the car slow down during braking. The energy generated by the wheels during this process is sent back to the motor, which converts the kinetic energy into energy stored in the car’s battery.
  • iParallel HEV
    Parallel models typically have full hybrid capabilities, and the self-charging systems work similarly to those found in series cars. However, the main difference is that the engine is coupled to the wheels, and this system does not use a separate generator; instead, the electric motor plays that role of generating power. These vehicles are also cheaper to produce but less fuel-efficient than series FHEVs.
  • iPlug-in Hybrids
    These vehicles are closer to all-electric vehicles because they have larger batteries than other hybrids and can typically operate in EV mode for longer distances. The battery can be recharged by plugging them into a charging station or an electrical outlet.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HYBRID VEHICLES?

  • +They are expected to consume less fuel than standard gasoline vehicles, allowing you to save on gasoline
  • +They emit less CO2 due to their low fuel consumption and are therefore considered more environmentally friendly.
    What are the advantages of hybrid vehicles
  • +Depending on where you live, tax benefits and other financial incentives may be offered if you buy a hybrid car.
  • +They have a higher resale value as more people turn to hybrid electric cars
  • +They have better MPG ratings than conventional vehicles
  • –The combined power units generate less power than normal engines
  • –Investment costs are high because hybrid cars are usually quite expensive
  • –Maintenance costs are also generally higher because dual-power systems are much more complex
  • –Battery replacement can be very expensive

FAQ

⚠ How long do hybrid car batteries last?

These batteries are expected to last at least 10 years or 150,000 miles. Most of them are covered by a warranty, but new batteries can cost around £3,000.

⚠ Are hybrids reliable?

According to one of the latest Which? car surveys, gasoline hybrid cars were the most reliable compared to other cars using other types of fuel (gasoline, diesel, electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrids). Toyota and Honda are known for making very reliable HEVs, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Accord.

⚠ Are HEVs manual or automatic?

The vast majority of hybrid vehicles are automatic, but there are a few mild HEVs with manual transmissions. Adding a manual transmission system to a car that can run on electricity is not advantageous.

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