Hybrid car, how does it work?

Many industries are considering new solutions to reduce CO2 emissions. Among them, one should not lag behind the automotive sector. Hybrid cars were created in response to technological developments as well as environmental requirements. Thus, their production meets fairly specific standards. Their peculiarity is also associated with their mode of operation, which is very different from machines with heat engines.

Summary

What is a hybrid vehicle?

A hybrid car is a car that runs on two types of energy: electricity and heat. So, under the hood of your hybrid car, you will find two different engines: a heat engine or combustion engine and an electric motor.

These cars require significant financial investments in development. It is about the large amount of energy required for the various stages of production. In exchange for these demands, hybrid cars consume less fuel (gasoline or diesel) and are less polluting.

What are the categories of hybrid vehicles?

Various technologies have been developed to offer drivers several types of hybrid vehicles. So there are classic hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and lightweight hybrids.

Things to Remember About Classic Hybrids

These vehicles operate using a hybrid-specific system that requires the various components of your vehicle to work together.

4 elements that make up classic hybrids 

Classic hybrid cars are made up of four basic elements.

• Electric motor

The electric motor is connected to the wheels of the car. This allows the vehicle to move at a low speed. Thanks to him, the battery works when the car is moving at low speed. Indeed, when the car brakes, the electric motor recovers kinetic energy and then converts it into electricity. This electricity is then transferred to the battery to power it.

• Heat engine

It is connected to the wheels and provides high-speed traction to the vehicle. It also recharges the battery.

• Battery

The battery is used to store energy and redistribute it. Certain elements of a hybrid vehicle do require electricity to perform their functions. In particular, this applies to the electric motor.

The battery voltage depends on your vehicle model. Some models are equipped with high capacity batteries. With them, you can enjoy the electric motor over a long distance, which will not be the case with other models with lower power consumption.

• On-board computer

It is the centerpiece of the system. The computer is connected to the motors. This allows him to discover the origin and nature of each of the energies. It also measures its power and then redistributes it according to the needs of different parts of the car and the availability of energy. Provides a reduction in thermal energy consumption by optimizing the operation of the heat engine.

Need help getting started?

How does a classic hybrid car work?

The working mechanism of a classic hybrid car varies depending on your driving speed.

At reduced speed

Heat engines have a reputation for consuming fuel when driving through urban areas or at reduced speed. In fact, at this time, the electric motor is designed to reduce fuel consumption. You should be aware that below 50 km / h, the on-board computer turns off your car's heat engine in order to start the electric motor. This allows your car to run on electricity.

However, this mechanism requires one condition: your battery must be sufficiently charged! Before turning off the heat motor, the computer analyzes the amount of available electricity and decides if it can activate the electric motor.

Acceleration phase

Sometimes, two engines in your hybrid car run at the same time. This will be the case in situations where a lot of effort is required on your vehicle, such as during acceleration or when you are driving on a steep slope. In these situations, the computer measures the energy requirement of your vehicle. He then starts two motors to meet this high energy demand.

Very high speed

At very high speed, the heat engine starts and the electric motor shuts off.

When slowing down and stopping

When you slow down, the heat engine shuts down. Regenerative braking allows kinetic energy to be restored. This kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy by the electric motor. And, as we saw above, this energy is used to recharge the battery.

But when stopped, all motors are turned off. In this case, the vehicle's electrical system is powered by a battery. When the vehicle is restarted, the electric motor is restarted.

Plug-in hybrid cars: what you need to know?

A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has a very large battery capacity. This type of battery is more powerful than conventional hybrids.

The rechargeable hybrid has a heat engine and an electric motor. However, the autonomy of its battery allows it to power the electric motor over a long distance. This distance varies from 20 to 60 km, depending on the car brand. Even though it is equipped with a heat engine, you can use the plug-in hybrid on a daily basis without using a gasoline engine.

This special operating mode plays on the driving force of the plug-in hybrids. Typically, this distance is between 3 and 4 kilometers compared to the range of a conventional hybrid vehicle. However, plug-in hybrid cars work in the same way as conventional hybrids.

There are two different categories of electric hybrids. These are PHEV hybrids and EREV hybrids.

PHEV hybrids

Rechargeable hybrid vehicles PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) differ in that they can be charged from an electrical outlet. This way, you can charge your car right at home, at a public terminal or at your workplace. These vehicles are very similar to electric vehicles. They are also seen as a transition from thermal imagers to electric vehicles.

EREV hybrid cars

Rechargeable hybrids EREV (electric vehicles with extended range) are vehicles powered by an electric motor. The thermopile only supplies energy to the generator when the battery needs recharging. It then retains its charge thanks to a small alternator. This type of car allows you to get more autonomy.

Some Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid Cars

If there are advantages to using a hybrid car, as you can imagine, there are disadvantages too ...

What are the benefits of a hybrid vehicle?

• Reduced fuel consumption

Hybrid vehicles are designed to reduce gasoline or diesel consumption. Thanks to its two engines, a hybrid car uses less energy than a simple combustion engine car.

• A car in harmony with nature

Hybrid vehicles emit less CO2. This is due to the electric motor, which reduces fuel consumption.

• Discounts on some of your taxes

Several structures are encouraging the use of hybrid vehicles. Thus, some insurers may give you discounts on your contract if you are driving a hybrid.

• Noticeable comfort

At low speed or deceleration, hybrid vehicles drive quietly. This is due to the fact that the heat engine does not work. These vehicles help reduce noise pollution. In addition, hybrid vehicles do not have a clutch pedal. This frees the driver from all gear shifting restrictions.

• Sustainability of hybrid vehicles

Hybrid cars have shown some toughness and good durability so far. Even though they have been used for a period of time, the batteries still continue to store energy. However, battery performance degrades over time. This reduces its storage capacity. It should be borne in mind that this drop in performance can only be noticed after prolonged use.

• Reduced repair costs

Hybrid vehicles save you expensive repair costs. After all, their design is quite specific, therefore it requires special care ... For example, they are not equipped with either a timing belt, or a starter, or a gearbox. These elements are very often the cause of minor problems with heat engines, which very often leads to high repair costs.

• Environmental bonus

To encourage the public to buy so-called "clean" cars, the government has instituted an environmental bonus that allows prospective buyers to receive assistance of up to € 7 when buying a hybrid vehicle. However, this bonus can only be obtained for the purchase of a hydrogen-powered electric vehicle or, in our case, a plug-in hybrid. For a plug-in hybrid vehicle, CO000 emissions must not exceed 2 g / km CO50 and range in electric mode must be greater than 2 km.

Note: From 1 July 2021, this environmental bonus will be reduced by € 1000, from € 7000 to € 6000.

• No traffic restrictions

Hybrid vehicles, like electric vehicles, are not affected by traffic restrictions imposed during peaks in air pollution.

Disadvantages of using hybrid vehicles

• Price

Hybrid vehicle design requires a higher budget than combustion engine design. Therefore, the purchase price for hybrid vehicles is higher. But the total cost of ownership is more attractive in the long run because the hybrid vehicle owner will use less fuel and also have lower maintenance costs. 

• Limited cabinet space

Another disadvantage that users “frowned upon” is the lack of space in some models. There should be room for batteries, and some designers are reducing the volume of their cases to make them easier to fit.

• Тишина

When you are a pedestrian, it is very easy to wonder about hybrids. When stationary or at reduced speed, the vehicle makes very little noise. Today, however, pedestrian audible alarms are activated at speeds from 1 to 30 km / h: there is nothing more to be afraid of!