How do Hybrid Cars Work
Traditional vehicles use either petrol or diesel in order to power an internal combustion engine. They tend to be associated with things like Co2 emissions and other environmental issues. Hybrids differ in that they can be fuelled & powered like traditional cars, but also have an electric motor and battery, making them better for the environment. Here, we’re going to look at how hybrid cars work for those who may be interested in purchasing one.
How They Work & Features of Hybrid Vehicles
With a hybrid vehicle, the battery powered electric motor increases the fuel efficiency of hybrids in a few ways, and there are a few features that a hybrid car boasts that make them better for the environment and your wallet.
As hybrid cars use both a traditional engine and electric motor, they help to achieve better fuel efficiency than non-hybrid car models. They can also help drivers to save money, as they won’t be spending nearly as much of it on fuel as they usually would.
Advanced hybrids actually have larger batteries and are able to recharge their batteries from an outlet, which means they are able to drive for extended distances using electricity before they switch to using their fuel source. If a driver would like to be more environmentally friendly, then using one of these vehicles is usually a good idea. A great example of a hybrid vehicle would be the Range Rover Plug-in Hybrid.
Some features your hybrid car could have include:
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Idle off - a feature that turns off your car’s traditional engine when the vehicle is stopped, which then saves fuel. The batter provides energy for the AC and other accessories while your car idles in traffic, and the electric motor can then start the vehicle moving again.
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Regenerative braking - another fuel saving feature for drivers. Regular cars usually rely entirely on friction brakes to slow down, whereas regenerative braking allows some of that energy used to stop the car to be captured, turned into electricity, and stored in the batteries. This stored electricity can later be used to accelerate the car, so nothing is wasted.
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Power assist - this feature helps reduce the demand on a hybrid’s gasoline engine.
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Electric only drive - this allows the vehicle to use nothing but electricity so as to save fuel. In hybrids that can't be plugged-in, electric-only drive is only utilized at low speeds and start-up, enabling the gas or diesel-powered engine to operate at higher speeds, where it’s most efficient.
What Is the Difference Between Hybrids and Other Electric Vehicles?
There is a difference between hybrids and other electric vehicles that you should be aware of in order to make the right choice on which is best for you. These differences include:
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Hybrids that cannot be charged from an outlet aren't usually considered true EVs, as they rely mainly on fuel for energy.
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Battery electric vehicles only use an electric motor and battery, not using the conventional engine at all.
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True EVs are usually cheaper to fuel than hybrids and conventional vehicles, although there are pros and cons to each option.
Check out our very own Landrover Hybrid Phev.