How Hybrids Operate
Hybrids are a relatively new concept that combines two key technologies together to form a hybrid of the two. They encompass the gasoline engine and electric motor to bring improved fuel efficiency. The technology couldn't have come at a better time due to the increased fuel consumption being seen around the world. Hybrid vehicles are not the final solution to the depleting oil supply, however, they serve a great purpose while the world struggles to find a suitable, clean, and renewable energy source.
Hybrid technology often utilizes:
Regenerative Braking: Energy that is usually wasted from coasting or braking is turned into electricity by turning the wheels of the electric motor, which functions as a generator. The electricity is then stored in the hybrid's battery pack until it is needed from the electric motor.
Electric Motor Drive/Assist: In my Honda Civic hybrid, this is called Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). It works from the electric motor, which provides additional power to the gasoline engine so it can retain high fuel efficiency without consuming more gas. Usually it assists in acceleration and hill climbing. Other vehicles like in the popular Toyota Prius work by the electric motor providing all the power during low speed driving conditions, such as city driving less than 30 mph, where gasoline engines are the least efficient.
Automatic Start/Shutoff: This is a feature known to be on hybrids. It simply shuts off all or part of the engine when the vehicle is at a full stop. The vehicle restarts on its own when the brake pedal is off and the gasoline pedal is pressed. This not only prevents wasted energy from idling but improves gas mileage and reduces the amount of harmful car pollutants released into the atmosphere like the known carcinogenic benzene.
Back to Main Hybrid Page
For fuel economy information, goto FuelEconomy.gov
Posts from The Environmental Blog on Hybrid Cars:
New Honda Hybrids
Plug In Wars: Toyota vs. GM
Toyota plug-in hybrid
Nissan Sees Future in Electric Car and Hybrid Cars
Rental Car Companies Hertz and Avis to boost Hybrid Fleet
Toyota to go all Hybrid by 2020
Toyota Reaches 1 million Hybrid Sales
6 COMMENTS, ADD YOURS HERE:
Thanks for a very clear and well explained post. This makes perfectly clear to the uninitiated how hybrids work and why and how they make a difference by lowering emissions and increasing fuel efficiency. Hybrids and electric vehicles make a lot of sense when we should be looking to make a difference in the environment and save it.
Excellent post!! U have done nice piece of work.Thanks a lot buddy for sharing information.
keep up the work.
www.lifeinfozone.com/
Hey thanks for the great blog, I love this stuff. I don’t usually do much for Earth Day but with everyone going green these days, I thought I’d try to do my part.
I am trying to find easy, simple things I can do to help stop global warming (I don’t plan on buying a hybrid). Has anyone seen that www.EarthLab.com is promoting their Earth Day (month) challenge, with the goal to get 1 million people to take their carbon footprint test in April? I took the test, it was easy and only took me about 2 minutes and I am planning on lowering my score with some of their tips.
I am looking for more easy fun stuff to do. If you know of any other sites worth my time let me know.
Hybrid vehicle is the right step in the right direction towards becoming totally free from US dependence on foreign oil that is a great liability to its national security and pragmatic influence in world affairs.
wppm.org
Nicely done...a simple and straight forward explanation of the technology behind hybrids. We are excited to see what the next 10 years of hybrids will bring.
www.hybrid-cars.org
Help one man make a difference in the environment
It's time to let the Oil companies know that we won't deal with higher and higher prices of gas. We watch money leave our pockets and emissions ruin our environment
Do not drive a vehicle on May 18th and let them know that a grass roots effort can bring their profits down and save the environment. The entire environmental impact could be monumental.
Check out this page and send it on to everyone you know and tell them to send it on......Let's make a difference
http://nodrivingday.blogspot.com/
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