What is a Hybrid Car?
A hybrid car combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor that uses energy stored in a battery. This helps in reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency. Modern hybrid cars work by charging the battery through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine. However, Plug-in hybrids allow the car to be charged directly via an EV charger.
World’s 1st popular hybrid car was the Toyota Prius.
Types of Hybrid Cars:
- Mild Hybrid Cars
Mild hybrid cars use the electric motor & battery as an assistant to the fuel-powered combustion engine. This system reduces the load on the engine and helps reduce fuel consumption.
Mild hybrids do not run solely on the electric motor, because the electric motor does not have enough power to propel the vehicle on its own. As compared to full hybrids, mild hybrids have smaller batteries and smaller motors which lead to reduced cost and weight.
- Strong Hybrid Cars/Full Hybrid Cars:
Strong hybrid cars consist of a fuel-powered combustion engine and an electric motor that can work together as well as independent of each other.
Strong hybrid cars come with larger capacity batteries allowing the car to be driven exclusively on electric power as well. The electric systems can power the car during low-speed city driving and when the driver demands more speed and power, the engine comes to life.
- Plug-in Hybrid Cars/Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV):
Plug-in hybrid vehicle batteries, in addition to being charged by the engine and regenerative braking, can be recharged by plugging-in an external electricity source as well. PHEVs can operate as electric vehicles in urban environments and drastically reduce tail-pipe emissions.
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Plug-in hybrid systems feature much larger batteries and the driver can charge them by plugging into a charger. This system allows the car to be driven exclusively on electricity for greater distances.
PHEVs are very costly predominantly due to the advanced hybrid drivetrain and a larger battery pack. That is why many automakers don’t sell these vehicles in India, a cost-conscious market. Currently only 2 PHEVs are available in India: Volvo XC90 Recharge & BMW 7 Series.
Comparison between Hybrid Cars & Electric Cars:
Conclusion:
With rising fuel costs and growing pressure to go green, automakers are looking at ways to make their cars more efficient and less polluting. In India, Tata Motors has chosen the path to go full electric. But with EV charging infrastructure still not widespread, companies like Maruti Suzuki & Toyota are approaching this change cautiously by first exploring the hybrid way. Hybrids are not as ‘green’ as EVs as there is reliance on combustion engine, but advancements in technology is slowly but surely making hybrids more green and more viable.
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