Have you ever stopped to think about the advantages of a hybrid car? Also called fuel cell, plug-in vehicle, or simply hybrid, we are facing a real revolution in the sector. A hybrid vehicle is nothing more than the combination of an internal combustion vehicle and an electric vehicle that is powered by batteries.
History of hybrid vehicle
The Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle to appear in Japan in 1997. In 2000 it reached the North American market and was a success that has been consolidated with the introduction of the new generation that debuted as the 2004 model. Europe has also enthusiastically received the new model and the specialized press awarded it the title of Automobile of the Year 2005. It is currently also sold in Spain.
During these last year’s many prejudices have been generated about the advantages of the hybrid cars, but little by little the society begins to see them as an alternative to consider.
What are the advantages of hybrid cars?
The hybrid vehicle normally achieves better fuel economy and lower emissions than conventional internal combustion engines. Emissions from today's hybrid vehicles are approaching or even below the level recommended by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Hybrid vehicles can reduce air emissions of smog-forming pollutants by up to 90% and carbon dioxide emissions by half.
We can summarize the advantages of the hybrid car in:
- Savings: By using both engines, it is possible to obtain very low fuel consumption, especially on city journeys.
- Less CO2 emissions: By consuming less fossil fuel, hybrid vehicles emit less CO2 into the atmosphere.
- Less noise pollution: This type of vehicle reduces noise pollution, although from 2019 they must incorporate an artificial sound system to avoid accidents.
Greater autonomy than simple electric cars and much faster recharging.
It is softer and easier to use. Its motor is more efficient and elastic than the conventional one, as well as faster response.
What types of hybrid cars can we find?
According to their operating principle, they can be classified into three types:
- Series hybrid: The internal combustion engine has no mechanical connection to the wheels, it is only used to generate electricity. This engine runs at an optimum speed and recharges the battery until it fills up, at which point it is temporarily disconnected. Traction is always electric.
- Parallel Hybrid: Both the thermal and electric motors are used to power the transmission at the same time. It is a relatively simple solution, but it is not the most efficient.
- Combined hybrid: Any combination of the two engines serves to drive the car. It is like a serial hybrid but with mechanical connection to the wheels. It is a very efficient solution but much more complex mechanically and electronically.
Another classification of hybrid vehicles is:
- Micro-hybrid: The engine is switched off during stops. This type only allows savings in urban cycle and there is no electric motor to drive the car.
- Semi-hybrid: The electric motor assists the thermal, generating energy during braking and retentions.
- Pure Hybrid: It allows circulating without the thermal motor, using only the electric one.
- PHEV: Uses rechargeable batteries using conventional electrical energy.
- EREV: Similar to the previous one, it does not need the thermal motor more than to support the load.
The world of the hybrid car is very broad and we do not intend to go into all its details. We hope you have found it useful.