What is a hybrid car and what types are there ?

What is a hybrid car and what types are there? Hybrid cars are vehicles that combine traditional internal combustion engines (mostly gasoline) with electric motors to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and improve overall performance. The electric motor works in parallel with the motor, with 2 systems working alternately or together to optimize energy consumption. Hybrid vehicles aim to balance the advantages of traditional and electric vehicles, making them an ideal choice for drivers looking for fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly options without fully committing to pure electric vehicles.

What exactly is a hybrid car ?

The word "hybrid" generally refers to something that is combined, crossed or mixed. This concept can be applied to hybrid cars, which refers to the combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

What kind of hybrid cars are there ?

Parallel hybrid:

The most common type, the parallel hybrid, uses both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor simultaneously or independently of each other, depending on the operating conditions. At low speeds, the vehicle can be operated exclusively with an electric motor, and at higher speeds, as a rule, the gasoline engine takes over. Due to their simplicity, parallel hybrids are popular and widely used by various brands. An example of this is the Toyota Prius and Honda Accord Hybrid.

Serial hybrid:

In production hybrids, the electric motor is the only driving force of the wheel, and the internal combustion engine acts as a generator, charging the battery or driving the electric motor. This setting is particularly efficient for urban traffic, as the gasoline engine does not drive the wheels directly, reducing emissions and fuel consumption. An example of a production hybrid car is the BMW i3 with a range extender.

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV):

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (Phev) offer the advantages of hybrid and electric vehicles. They have larger batteries than conventional hybrids, so they can cover a long distance, usually about 20-50 miles, with electric drive alone, and as soon as the battery is empty, the gasoline engine takes over. The PHEV can be charged through an external power source, such as an outlet or charging station, making it suitable for those who want to operate purely electrically but need a longer range. Examples of this are the Chevrolet Bolt and Toyota Prius Prime.

Mild hybrid:

In mild hybrids, the electric motor does not drive the car directly, but supports the gasoline engine during acceleration and other power-intensive operations, improving efficiency. Mild hybrids have a smaller battery and are more fuel efficient than full hybrids, but often offer a smoother ride and slightly lower fuel consumption than conventional vehicles. Many modern cars, like certain models of the Audi A6, use mild hybrid technology.

How is a hybrid car charged and what is the difference from an electric car ?

Plug-in hybrids can be charged with sockets, but other hybrid variants rely on the internal combustion engine to support the electric motor, which in turn charges the battery.

In general, all models benefit from low fuel consumption due to electric motors, which not only reduce costs, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What are the pros and cons of hybrid cars ?

Benefits:

Low consumption: Depending on the hybrid type, electric motors allow fuel savings of about 15-25% compared to gasoline engines. Consumption is particularly low for short city trips, so-called stop-and-go trips. Acceleration: According to ADAC, hybrids have also improved acceleration by about 10-20%, especially at low revs, because the electric motor supports the internal combustion engine.

Quiet driving: Thanks to the electric motor often used in urban traffic, you can enjoy quiet and comfortable driving in everyday life.

Minuses:

Higher purchase costs: The price of hybrid cars is developing dynamically, but the purchase price is usually still higher than other types of vehicles.

Higher weight: Due to the use of 2 engines, the car is heavier and can counteract the fuel-saving effect.

Less space: Now there are hybrids with a large amount of charge, but 2 motors and a battery take up a lot of space.

conclusion

The versatile and practical hybrid car offers a variety of options for different driving habits, from short trips to the city to long trips. The ability to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency makes the entire electric vehicle range an attractive option for drivers looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative without anxiety.