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
A book by Erin E. Williams and Margo DeMello that is sure to ruffle some feathers if you are unaware of the way animals are treated on a daily basis. Review by the Environmental Blog coming soon.
The CR-Z is about the sportiest coolest hybrid design I have seen yet and was actually featured at Paris Auto Show back in 2007. Both hybrids will use updated versions of Honda's integrated motor assist (IMA) hybrid system, currently used in the Honda Civic Hybrid I have now (mines a 2006 model). This system provides a little boost to the car under acceleration and stops the engine in traffic, but doesn't drive the car under electric power only. The new global hybrid is designed from the ground up as a hybrid, so should present more efficiencies than the Civic Hybrid.
I wanted to take the time to tell people the car that I drive. For an environmental blog I feel that it is important walk the walk instead of just talk the talk. One of the ways I contribute to reduction in greenhouse gases and pollution through is through my Honda Civic Hybrid. I did not want to be one of those people who automatically went for a Prius, although nice, I am just a Honda kind of guy.
