Understanding How Hybrid Cars Work

Not all hybrids are created equal.  There are your usual HEVs or hybrid electric vehicle and there are those considered by many as the best hybrid cars.  Basically, there are two hybrid types—the parallel hybrids and the series hybrids.  For those concerned more on speed and power, the parallel hybrid is the one for them.  The best hybrid cars of the parallel type have the gasoline engine and batteries intended for the electric motor that works like the gasoline engine:  they both can turn the transmission and propel the engine.  

While the gasoline engine is the one mainly used, the battery-operated electric motor turns on and is harnessed when one needs to boost the cars power.  This is most useful when you need to increase speed, go uphill climbs or pass other vehicles in the freeway.  Some of the best hybrid cars, like the ones from Honda, use this technology.  It saves fuel in the sense that instead of pumping more gasoline for extra power, the electric motor is summoned instead.

For those who are concerned more on fuel economy, the best hybrid cars for them are the series types.  The series hybrid also has both the electric motor and the gas engine to power the car.  However, the gas engine is more on powering the generator that charges the batteries.  These batteries in turn power the electric motor.  The electric motor is the one mainly used to power the car.  The hybrid car’s technology detects if the battery needs recharging and, when it does, automatically turns on the gasoline engine to charge it.  The best hybrid cars for those who drive mostly in traffic congested routes would be the series type of hybrid.  Ford and Toyota are mostly using this kind of technology.

Here are the major components of hybrid electric vehicles:

    * Gasoline engine – this is smaller and more efficient that the ones you find in your traditional vehicles.  This also lessens the hybrid vehicle’s weight which further improves its fuel efficiency.  This engine functions both by powering the car and by charging the batteries.

    * Fuel tank – hybrid vehicles also have smaller fuel tanks as these use less gasoline to run.  Smaller tanks also help lessen the HEV’s weight which further improves fuel efficiency.

    * Electric motor – the hybrid electric vehicle’s electric motor functions both as a motor to run the car and as a generator to charge the batteries.  When you slow down or step on the brakes, the energy is redirected to recharge the batteries.  Your usual or the best hybrid cars are also characterized by the so-called “regenerative braking.” This makes frequent stepping on the brakes a positive action which is the exact opposite for your traditional gasoline-only vehicles.  Frequent braking also keeps the batteries in good condition.

    * Batteries – a series of batteries power the electric motor.  The best hybrid cars feature more superior types of batteries in terms of charging and longer-lasting qualities.

    * Transmission – works just like your traditional gasoline-only vehicle.

If you are buying a hybrid vehicle or whether you already own one, remember that the best hybrid cars are those that are properly maintained and taken care of.