Buying Hybrid Cars
Because electric cars, though great in concept, had expensive replacement batteries and lower mileage, they didn’t seal the deal with consumers. Then, companies like Honda and Toyota released hybrid cars. Today, hybrid cars come in all shapes and sizes – from compact versions and sedans to SUVs, minivans, and trucks.
A hybrid car combines a conventional gasoline engine and an electric motor, providing better acceleration and increased mileage. Some hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight get 50-60 miles to the gallon. These vehicles also top the list for the least pollutants. There are no extra maintenance costs for hybrid cars.
Some of the major benefits to driving a hybrid are:
- Excellent fuel economy
- Hybrid cars do not require recharging
- Batteries last just as long as a gasoline-fueled car
- Release far less atmospheric pollutants
How Does It Work?
A hybrid car has a gasoline engine that is smaller than most cars and uses technology that reduces emissions and increases efficiency. Hybrid cars use a sophisticated electric motor that also works as a generator. As a motor, it uses energy from the batteries to add acceleration while it works as a generator to slow the car down as well as return energy to the batteries – something a normal car battery could not do.
Types of Hybrid Cars
1. Parallel Hybrid Cars - h ave a fuel tank that supplies gasoline to the engine as well as a set of batteries that supplies power to the electric motor. The engine and the electric motor turns the transmission at the same time.
2. Series Hybrid Cars - have a gasoline engine that turns a generator instead of directly powering the vehicle. The generator can charge the batteries or drive the electric motor that runs the transmission.
