How hybrid cars work
Less fuel consumption and better performances, without the drawbacks and discomforts of LPG and natural …
Less fuel consumption and better performances, without the drawbacks and discomforts of LPG and natural gas. Hybrid cars seem to be the future of transportation, to the point that every major manufaturer is producing at least one hybrid model. Yet, tryng to understand how this all works might prove complicated. Here’s a small guide to what’s already becoming a lifestyle choice.
To begin with, not all hybrid cars are the same. Although all of them use both fuel and electricity, this goal is attained through is different technologies.
Micro-hybrids do not have a proper electric engine; they are actually common cars incorporating the “stop & start” feature; in other words, the internal combustion engine automatically shuts down and restarts to reduce the amount of time the engine spends idrling at traffic lights, with a fuel economy gain of 5%.
So-called mild hybrids are equipped with a more substantial but comparatively light electric machine with a battery box weighing 100 or more kilos. Besides including the stop & start feature, mild hybrids convert the kinetic energy from braking – usually wasted – into electric energy for recharging the batteries. Honda is currently producing three mild hybrids – Honda Civic Hybrid, Insight and Honda CR-Z – the latter being an authentic coupé and thus bringing the hybrid technology to sportscars.
Yet, only full hybrid cars can claim to operate on electric-only mode – although just for a mile or so. Why such a small distance? Because current batteries have limited lifespans – a problem that may be solved soon. The only drawback of full hybrids, when compared to mild hybrids, is the bulk of its double engine and the weight of the batteries, a fact that did not prevent Toyota’s Prius – a pioneer of hybrid technology – from becoming a huge best-seller since its birth back in 1997. Lexus RX 400h SUV and CT 200h, also from Toyota, include the same technology, while the brand new Prius Plug-in – that can be charged simply by plugging it into any standard 120V – should be released next year.
What about the future, then? Will we ever drive 100% electric cars? Despite being already on the market, these vehicles are still outrageously expensive and have limited autonomy. It is probably more realistic to think of a further development of the so-called “range-extender” system currently featured in Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera, an additional combustion engine having the sole purpose of charging the battery of the main electric engine.
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