What is a hybrid car and how do they work?

Quick Insights

• Hybrid cars combine internal combustion engines with electric motors to enhance fuel efficiency. They can reduce emissions compared to conventional vehicles.
• Regenerative braking in hybrids helps recharge the battery, further optimizing energy use.
• Hybrid vehicles often qualify for tax incentives and rebates, potentially making them an economical option in the long term.

Hybrid vehicles are paving the way towards a more sustainable future by combining the reliability of traditional gasoline engines with the benefits of electric power. Let’s dive into what these cars are and how they work in more detail below.

What is a hybrid car?

Let’s start with the basics. A hybrid car features a dual propulsion system consisting of an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. Essentially, a dual propulsion system refers to the car's ability to be powered by two different energy sources: gasoline for the internal combustion engine and electricity for the electric motors. This dual propulsion uses gasoline and stored electric energy in the battery to power the vehicle, which results in more efficient use of fuel and less frequent refueling. This efficiency, in turn, leads to reduced emissions.

Hybrid cars are typically designed to offer various driving modes, such as electric-only mode, hybrid mode and gasoline-only mode. In electric-only mode, the vehicle operates solely on battery power, ideal for short trips or city driving. Hybrid mode utilizes both the electric motor and gasoline engine, automatically switching between the two or combining them for optimal efficiency, typically used for general driving conditions. Gasoline-only mode relies solely on the internal combustion engine, often used for high-speed driving or when the battery is low. This flexibility allows the vehicle to switch between or combine power sources based on driving conditions, enhancing efficiency and performance.

Popular for their fuel efficiency, hybrids can be a favorable option for those looking to save on fuel costs and reduce their environmental footprint.

Types of hybrid cars

There are several types of hybrid vehicles. Let’s take a brief look at each of them below:

• Full hybrids: Full hybrid vehicles can run on just the engine, like a traditional vehicle, just the batteries, like an electric vehicle, or a combination of both. These vehicles can typically switch automatically based on the power demand.
• Mild hybrids: Mild hybrids use a battery and electric motor to assist the combustion engine but cannot drive the vehicle on electric power alone.
• Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs): PHEVs feature larger batteries that can be recharged by plugging into an external source of power, extending electric-only driving. PHEVs combine elements of both hybrid and full electric vehicles.
• Series hybrids: Series hybrids are powered through an engine that runs a generator to either charge the battery or power the electric motor directly.

How do hybrid cars work?

All hybrid vehicles combine a conventional internal combustion engine with an electric motor positioned to support optimal power and efficiency. They include a battery pack that stores electrical energy recovered during processes like regenerative braking, which captures the energy typically lost during braking and converts it into electricity, recharging the battery.

The hybrid vehicle’s onboard computer automatically manages the power sources to maximize efficiency, switching between gas, electric or a combination of both. The driver typically cannot control how the vehicle manages power sources.

Hybrid car technologies

There are several technological advancements that have made hybrid vehicles possible. Here are some of the key technologies used in hybrid cars:

• Battery technology: Hybrids use various types of specially-designed batteries (like nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion) to store electrical energy.
• Regenerative braking: Regenerative braking is a feature in hybrids that captures kinetic energy during braking and converts it into electrical energy, enhancing battery efficiency.
• Power split device: A power split device allows hybrids to split power between the combustion engine and electric motor. It can also combine both of these for maximum efficiency.
• Thermal management systems: These systems help maintain optimal operating temperatures for the engine and battery, improving their performance and lifespan.

Benefits of driving a hybrid

There are benefits to driving a hybrid vehicle, including:

• Fuel efficiency: Hybrids can reduce fuel consumption, offering more mileage for your dollar.
• Lower emissions: By utilizing electric power, hybrids emit fewer pollutants compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.
• Tax incentives and other benefits: Many governments offer tax credits, rebates and other incentives to encourage the purchase of hybrid vehicles. These can lower the initial cost and make hybrids more accessible to a consumers. In some regions, hybrid vehicle owners may also enjoy additional perks, such as access to carpool lanes and reduced registration fees.
• Increased resale value: Due to their growing popularity and technological advantages, hybrids can sometimes retain a higher resale value than traditional internal combustion vehicles.
• Quiet operation: Hybrids are quieter than conventional vehicles, especially when operating in electric mode, which can help reduce noise pollution in urban settings.

The bottom line

Hybrid cars can be a smart compromise between fully electric vehicles and traditional gasoline cars. They can offer improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions and innovative technology that can save money in the long run compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles, but they can also avoid the potential drawbacks of electric vehicles, like installing a specialized home charger or needing to make longer and more frequent charging stops on long trips.