A hybrid car combines the benefits of ICE and EV with the touch of a button. For potential purchasers who find EVs too costly and petrol prices too high, hybrids are less-priced options that provide higher fuel economy than ICE automobiles.
In Q3 2023, Toyota continued to lead hybrid passenger car sales (74%), followed by Maruti (25%), and Honda (1%). Their greatest quarter sales were 22,389 units in Q1 2023. According to AutoPunditz, sales decreased to 14,399 units in the second quarter before rebounding to 22,022 units in the third quarter.
Axpert Media investigates the many features of hybrid automobiles that one should be aware of before purchasing one.
Q: What exactly is a hybrid vehicle?
Hybrid cars are a type of vehicle that combines a gasoline engine and an electric motor. It varies from regular gasoline vehicles, which are only powered by diesel/petrol, in that hybrids combine fuel with a single electric motor.
In certain cases, a gas engine handles all of the task of recapturing energy, while in others, electric motors both operate together.
Electricity is created by a high-voltage battery (as opposed to the car’s regular battery), which is recharged by producing energy from the deceleration produced in heat by conventional brakes. The regenerative braking system is used to generate warmth after using the brakes.
The ICE is used in hybrid vehicles to charge and maintain the car’s electric battery. Depending on the user’s needs, OEMs employ a variety of hybrid designs.
Q: How does a hybrid vehicle operate?
HEVs operate in a straightforward manner. A hybrid electric vehicle’s power is generated by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The electrical energy stored in the car’s electric battery pack is used by the electric motor. The battery pack is charged using either the regenerative braking system or an ICE-powered generator. Both the electric motor and the ICE work together to provide comfort for the passengers while saving the most fuel for the automobile.
The additional power provided by the electric motor aids the ICE in improving vehicle efficiency. Electric battery packs also help to charge other electrical components in automobiles, such as lighting.
Hybrid vehicles use their electric motors largely when the driver desires low-speed driving, coasting, or decelerating; all of these elements are dependent on the battery’s charging capabilities. Hybrid cars use gasoline engines only when ascending rough terrain (mountains or hills), accelerating, or when more power is necessary.
Q: What distinguishes hybrid vehicles from traditional ICE and electric vehicles?
When the car’s engine starts/stops, the electric powertrain saves gasoline since the engine has an automatic command to switch down when not in use. It begins when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal. HEV-like electric vehicles do not require an external charger.
They charge the car’s hybrid battery automatically, eliminating the need for external charging facilities. Hybrids outperform conventional automobiles in terms of fuel efficiency and pollution. While electric automobiles are powered by a single source, namely an electric motor/powertrain.
Q: What are the different types of hybrid cars, and which HEV is ideal for you?
Based on power supply and distribution, HEVs are categorized into four kinds.
Series Hybrid: Also known as range extenders, series hybrids use an ICE to fuel the electric powertrain. The wheels are powered by electric generators, while the electric battery pack is powered by engines. Because the ICE drives both the electric motor and the battery pack, it is referred to as a range extender.
Parallel Hybrid: As the name implies, the electric powertrain and the internal combustion engine (ICE) operate in tandem to propel the vehicle. The IC engine and the electric motor work together to keep the automobile running efficiently and smoothly. As previously stated, the electric battery is replenished by a regenerative braking mechanism.
Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs): These vehicles differ from the ones discussed above in that they have a bigger battery pack that must be recharged via an external power source. It is a hybrid with a plugged-in battery that must be recharged from the grid. People are turning to PHEVs because they believe it will help them achieve zero-emission status without requiring them to switch to a fully new EV setup.
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Mild Hybrids: As the name implies, these hybrids feature less powerful electric motors that cannot propel the cars. They connect the engine to the gearbox, which is sometimes part of the starter-generator system. When necessary, the motor supplies energy to the ICE to enhance it and conserve potential gasoline.
