Hybrid cars are vehicles that use two or more types of propulsion. For example, a hybrid car might use a petrol engine and an electric motor. Or it could use a diesel engine and an electric motor.
Many people confuse hybrid cars with electric cars. Hybrid vehicles are not full electric cars because they use a petrol/diesel engine. You will also find that the design of a fully electrical vehicle is much different to a hybrid car.
As a full electric vehicle will have a strange futuristic car design that is designed to enhance the cars aerodynamic capabilities. Another reason for the odd design is also down the battery size within an electric vehicle.
The very first hybrid car was built by Ferdinand Porsche in 1899. However, buyers had to wait until 1997 for the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle to be released.
The first mass-produced one of its kind was the Toyota Prius. Its success led many manufacturers to develop and sell their own hybrid vehicles.
Nowadays, these types of cars are on the rise. There are many reasons why they are becoming more popular. You may also notice more car brands and dealerships releasing more hybrid cars, as the view of hybrid cars being unnecessary has reduced.
It was seen that a hybrid car was a waste of time due to gasoline not being of high cost. However, we have seen a spike in gas prices and therefore they are more relevant than ever.
This article will explore some of the reasons behind their growing success as well as how they work, the economic benefits of owning one, and which top manufacturers sell them.
How do hybrid cars work?
As mentioned above, hybrid cars usually combine two or more types of propulsion.
The majority of hybrid vehicles will either have a petrol engine and an electric motor or a diesel engine and an electric motor.
- The differences between petrol and diesel engines
You might be wondering what the difference is between a petrol and diesel engine. There are actually two major differences between them.
The first difference is how these engines create energy. Petrol engines will mix gas and air before compressing and igniting them. With diesel engines, the fuel is injected after the air has been compressed. In other words, the order in which the energy is produced is slightly different.
The second difference is the type of fuel used
Diesel engines tend to be more expensive to refuel than regular petrol engines. They are also believed to be more polluting than regular petrol engines.
Petrol engines, on the other hand, need to be refueled more regularly than diesel engines. Petrol cars are also toxic for the environment due to the amount of CO2 it releases.
But by combining a diesel or petrol engine with an electric motor, hybrid vehicles successfully reduce the car’s negative environmental impact.
- The role of the electric motor
So where does the electric motor come in?
In some types of hybrid vehicles, the electric motor is activated for lower speeds. For higher speeds, the car’s gas engine is used.
- The different types of hybrid cars
There are many different types of hybrid cars that function slightly differently. The most common types of hybrid vehicles are:
- series hybrid cars
- parallel hybrids
- series-parallel hybrids
- plug-in hybrid cars
- How the battery works
Most hybrid cars will not need to be plugged in and recharged. The gas engine will recharge the battery which means that drivers only need to refuel the vehicle.
Some types of hybrid cars, like plug-in hybrids will need to be recharged. These cars will have a fuel filler and a charge port. Many may view the need a charging port a reason not to buy a plug-in hybrid. However, as long as you have a nearby plug socket you should be fine and most modern-day garages feature plug sockets for garden tools and other handy home equipment.
These types of cars will usually run on electric power until the electric battery is empty. At that point, it will switch to the gas engine for power.
Why are they popular?
Hybrid cars are eco-friendlier and more economic than regular cars. Hybrid car owners can also purchase gear and car parts at more affordable prices like Kelly tires at a reasonable price.
Although a hybrid car is expensive, its fuel efficiency will help owners save up on fuel expenses over time. Not to mention reduce your carbon footprint which is a big movement especially within 2024.
Who are the top manufacturers who sell hybrid cars?
The first mass-produced hybrid vehicle was released by Toyota Motor Corporation that remains, to this day, one of the top manufacturers of hybrid cars.
Other top manufacturers include:
- Honda Motor Company Limited
- Hyundai Motor Company
Final thoughts
This article discussed the mechanism behind hybrid cars, why they are increasing in popularity and who the top hybrid vehicle manufacturers are. Hybrid vehicles do indeed have their advantages however there are the odd disadvantage. They are a little more expensive to buy than your regular car but save you money on gas prices.
Another downside is that their batteries are most costly to replace, say something go wrong with them. The trick is to ensure you do regular maintenance on your vehicle and to ensure that the battery is as good as it can be. The battery will be your main concern and if damaged or aged, may affect the overall performance of the vehicle, especially regarding it’s mileage and fuel consumption.
This is the problem with anything you buy, however. There will always be a disadvantage to an items advantage and the key is to just take care of the vehicle. I hope this article has been inciteful as the hybrid car due to its advanced technologies and more eco friendly footprint, will one day replace gasoline cars. It is better to adapt now than later.