Together, these features result in better fuel economy without sacrificing performance. The battery can also power auxiliary loads and reduce engine idling when the vehicle is stopped. In an HEV, the extra power provided by the electric motor may allow for a smaller combustion engine. The tool compares the costs of a selected HEV with a comparably equipped non-hybrid model from the same manufacturer and provides fuel cost savings associated with the HEV option. Compare HEV and non-hybrid models side by side using the " Can a Hybrid Save Me Money?" tool on. Although HEVs are often more expensive than similar conventional vehicles, some cost may be recovered through fuel savings or state incentives.
HEVs combine the benefits of high fuel economy and low tailpipe emissions with the power and range of conventional vehicles.Ī wide variety of HEV models are currently available.
Depending on the size of the gasoline engine, this can mean anywhere from a few dozen miles to hundreds.īe sure to check back next week where we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of introducing hybrid vehicles to your fleet.Today's hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are powered by an internal combustion engine in combination with one or more electric motors that use energy stored in batteries. These range extender hybrids utilize their gasoline engine to charge the battery or power the electric motor so that you’re not left stranded. When an electric vehicle runs out of power, the vehicle will need to be charged before it becomes operational again.
While all-electric vehicles technically don’t qualify as hybrids, there are some that come equipped with a small gasoline engine to provide a cushion when needed. Electric Vehicles with Range Extender Hybrids
WHAT IS HYBRID VEHICLES FULL
Plug-In hybrids essentially serve as a half-way point between full hybrid vehicles and fully electric vehicles. As a result, plug-in hybrids usually have greater electric-only ranges than full hybrids. The main difference with plug-in hybrids is that these vehicles can charge their batteries via external chargers as well as internal. Plug-In HybridsĪll of the hybrid vehicles that we have discussed thus far charge their batteries solely through internal means. With advances in hybrid technology, some vehicles operate as a combination of the two (aptly named “series-parallel” hybrids), with the on-board computer system choosing the most efficient way to operate at any given time.įull hybrids charge their battery system in essentially the same way as mild hybrid systems, through energy from the gasoline engine as well as regenerative braking. The gasoline-engine never actually powers the wheels.
WHAT IS HYBRID VEHICLES SERIES
In a Series hybrid, the wheels are powered solely via the electric motor, with the gasoline-engine providing power for the electric motor, sort of like a generator. With Parallel hybrids, the engine can be powered in one of 3 ways: directly by the engine, directly by the electrical motor, or by both systems working together. When it comes to full hybrid vehicles, there are two main types of powertrains Parallel hybrids and Series hybrids. This typically happens at lower city speeds, but is one reason why you may see a full hybrid’s City MPG rating higher than its Highway MPG rating (where in standard gasoline-powered vehicles, the opposite is true). Most full hybrids can actually operate for some distance solely on electric power.
However, the electrical component in a full hybrid vehicle is capable of handling far more of the workload than that of a mild hybrid. Like mild hybrids, full hybrid vehicles also come equipped with both a gasoline engine and an electrical component. Mild hybrid systems go by many differing names, but some common examples are eAssist (General Motors), eTorque (Fiat/Chrysler), and EQ Boost (Mercedes). Instead, the batteries are recharged through a combination of power from the gasoline engine, and energy recovered when the vehicle brakes (also known as regenerative braking). Normally found in the form of 48 volt electric systems, mild hybrids do not need to be plugged in. Instead, the system is used to give a small boost to the vehicle’s gasoline engine, typically upon acceleration from a dead stop, and to assist in removing the burden of power-hungry systems, such as air conditioning, on the gasoline engine. Like the name implies, a mild hybrid system typically isn’t going to propel the vehicle on electric power alone. One of the newest innovations in hybrid technology is that of a “mild” hybrid system. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 4 main types of hybrid vehicles and describe what makes each of them unique. While nearly everyone has heard of hybrid vehicles, most people are actually unaware of the various types out on the market.