How Hybrid Cars Work
You are already used to gasoline cars and regarding electric cars, you must have seen these or may be already using one. Now, how about getting the best from both these cars? Yes, when you combine the virtues of a gasoline and an electric car what you get is a hybrid car. A hybrid car is a type of vehicle which has a gasoline engine as well as an electric motor. This way you are getting the best from a fossil fuel powered engine and a battery powered engine. Let’s check out how hybrid cars work.
Hybrid Electric Cars
Normally when we talk about traditional hybrid electric cars we mean plug in hybrid cars which totally depend on batteries. It is actually a full electric car which has an electric motor that provides power to the wheels. There are batteries which provide electricity to the motor. Of course there is a separate gasoline engine which acts as a generator. It is a small engine with10 or 20 horsepower. It is designed in such a way that it works at a particular speed so as to provide maximum efficiency. The basic purpose of this engine is to supply the car with enough power at cruise speed. When there is need for acceleration extra power is supplied by the batteries. The batteries recharge during deceleration or when the car is not in use. There is an on-board charger to charge the batteries. This type of plug in hybrid cars offers great mileage. This is a simple explanation about how hybrid cars work.
Plug In Hybrid Cars
Talking about the traditional hybrid cars pros and cons it can be said that these cars return good fuel mileage but the weight can be a problem. The weight of the electric motor, generator, gasoline engine and batteries becomes a little heavy for the car. Of course pure hybrid electric cars don’t need many batteries so in that way it manages to save a little on weight. Even then the weight of a full electric motor and a 10 KW generator does become heavy for hybrid electric cars.
To address this weight drag problem Japanese car manufacturer Honda came out with its Insight model which has a large gas engine along with an electric motor connected to engine. This car derives most of its energy requirements from the gasoline engine and the electric motor only provides extra power during acceleration. Since the electric motor which acts as a generator has to work only part time for supplying energy it is very lightweight. However, as the gasoline engine has to rotate at different speeds efficiency gets compromised.
Now let’s discuss in brief how hybrid cars work in the modern context. A modern hybrid car has two types of motors which are synchronized to work together so as to provide constant power to the wheels when the car is on the move. A gasoline engine backed by an electric motor is the most popular combination. However there are also diesel hybrid cars. Nowadays people are showing preference for diesel hybrid cars because of rising gasoline prices. Diesel is a comparatively cheaper fuel. To conserve fuel the gasoline engine is periodically shut off and during that period power supply is managed by the electric motor.
Diesel Hybrid Cars
So, by now you must have understood the basic concept of how hybrid cars work. Talking about how hybrid cars work it has to be mentioned that there are two categories of hybrid cars. There is one which uses the electric motor to propel the engine at low speeds or while climbing up a steep road. In the other category the electric motor is used to provide extra horsepower during rapid acceleration. Coming to hybrid cars pros and cons, the modern ones because of their technological advancement have more advantages than disadvantages. (631)
Top Hybrid Cars
I have listed the Top 5 Hybrid Cars List below and you can decide what is the best hybrid car to you.
1. Toyota Prius Hybrid
Toyota Prius is the third best selling gas-electric hybrid model in the United State. The Toyota Company has produced their first Prius Hybrid car in 2003. Toyota has begun selling their third generation of Toyota Prius in 2009. When they are selling third generation, other companies are starting to introduce their first Hybrid car.
Specifications
Bigger and more powerful than previous models, The four-cylinder engine grew in displacement from 1.5 liters to 1.8 liters, Combined with a 36 kW electric motor, Reduction in zero-to-60 time by a full second, Boosts horsepower from 110 to 134, MPG: 51 cities / 48 highways.
2. Honda Insight Hybrid
This new, five-passenger Insight continues to use Honda's conventional, mild hybrid system called Integrated Motor Assist. While it is less expensive than the Toyota Prius, it is also less roomy and rear access is awkward. The ride is stiff and choppy and road noise is pronounced. Handling lacks agility and can be tricky at the limits. Stability control is glaringly absent in the base LX version, but is standard on the EX. Crash-test results are impressive.
Specifications
Automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, power windows, door locks and outside mirrors, tilt-and-telescoping steering column, manual driver's seat height adjustment, AM/FM/CD audio system with two speakers, auxiliary audio input, and unique seating fabric. All Insight models are equipped standard with electronic stability control for 2011.
3. Ford Fusion Hybrid
The Ford Fusion Hybrid launched to the United State market in March 2009 as a 2010 model, together with its twin the Mercury Milan Hybrid. This is a gasoline-electric hybrid powered version of the mid-size Ford Fusion sedan developed by the Ford Motor Company. The Ford Fusion Hybrid establishes a new benchmark in hybrid technology. It marries a seamless, sophisticated hybrid powertrain to the outstanding Fusion platform-positioned solidly in the middle of the mainstream market.
Specifications
10-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights, keyless entry, power windows, mirrors, and locks, capless refueling, traction control, and ABS. Also included are six-speaker stereo, eco-responsible seats, 17-inch wheels, traction control and a reverse sensor.
4. Honda CR-Z Hybrid
Honda's latest foray into the hybrid realm, the CR-Z, is a new take on the hybrid question. Honda is marketing the CR-Z as a sport hybrid, rather than a purely eco-minded car. CR-Z stands for 'Compact Renaissance Zero,' which likely plays on its new approach to the use of a hybrid engine to give a blend of sport and economy. But no matter how Honda explains how they ended up with the CR-Z name, the car is an obvious successor to the popular CRX hatchback of the 1980s and early 1990s
Specifications
Heated mirrors, fog lamps and HID-projector headlamps inside, this hybrid gains Bluetooth, available navigation, leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals and polished interior accents, a six-speed manual transmission with an aluminum shift knob, and ambient lighting. heated mirrors, fog lamps and HID-projector headlamps. Inside, this hybrid gains Bluetooth, available navigation, leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals and polished interior accents, a six-speed manual transmission with an aluminum shift knob, and ambient lighting. CR-Z stands for 'Compact Renaissance Zero,' which likely plays on its new approach to the use of a hybrid engine to give a blend of sport and economy. But no matter how Honda explains how they ended up with the CR-Z name, the car is an obvious successor to the popular CRX hatchback of the 1980s and early 1990s
5. Lexus RX 450H Hybrid
Lexus has timed the introduction of its latest RX450h to perfection, coming at a time when ecological issues are grabbing the headlines and buyers at all price points are looking closely at fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. Where this generation takes a big step forward is in those hard figures, delivering a claimed reduction in fuel consumption of 28 per cent. Lexus' RX model has been on sale since 2001 and has always offered a comfortable road-biased take on the SUV sector.
Specifications
Gas Mileage is 32 mpg City/28 mpg Hwy, Engine type - Gas/Electric V6, 3.5L, EPA Class - 2WD Sport Utility, Style Name - FWD 4dr Hybrid, Drivetrain - Front Wheel Drive, Passenger Capacity - 5, Passenger Doors - 4, Body Style - Sport Utility.
Lexus has timed the actual introduction of it's latest RX450h in order to perfection, coming at a period when ecological problems are grabbing the actual headlines and buyers whatsoever price points are searching closely at energy economy and co2 emissions. Lexus' RX model may be on sale since 2001 and it has always offered an appropriate road-biased take about the SUV sector. Where this generation requires a big step forward is within those hard numbers, delivering a claimed decrease in fuel consumption of 28 percent.