FAQ About Hybrid Cars

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    Your questions about hybrid vehicles answered.

    Enhance your understanding about hybrid vehicles with FAQs about hybrids’ running systems, charging features, range capacity and more in a single post.

    Electric vehicles, seen from many as the future of mobility, are developing with significant momentum, transforming the way we use cars. Hybrids, combining the features of both conventional and electric vehicles, are a way to step into the world of electric cars

    What is the difference between hybrid vehicles (HEVs) and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs)?

    Cars that use more than one energy source, are called hybrids, also known as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).The main difference between a hybrid and an all-electric vehicle is the type of engine they have. Hybrid cars have both an electric motor and a gasoline-powered engine. However, all-electric cars do not have a gasoline-powered engine. For this reason, there is no fuel consumption in battery-electric cars.

    In hybrid cars, the electric battery can charge itself thanks to the slowing down of the vehicle with the brake and the effect of the acceleration while driving. Thus, the vehicle does not need to be charged by connecting to the city network. Since the battery in battery-electric vehicles cannot fill itself, it must be plugged in and charged.

    HEVs have more complex technology than BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles). The reason for this is that there is only one type of engine in battery-electric vehicles. In this way, the service and maintenance costs of battery-electric vehicles stay lower than hybrid vehicles.

    HOW DOES A HYBRID CAR WORK?

    The working principle of hybrids may vary depending on the type of vehicle. In general, the vehicle can use the electric motor and the gasoline engine at the same time, or it may choose to use only one of them, depending on its driving situation and instantaneous performance. The interaction between gasoline and electric motors is carried out automatically.

    Hybrid vehicles use the electric motor when taking off or driving at low speed. When you want to accelerate or when you need more power, the gasoline engine works with the electric motor to achieve higher performance.

    How to charge a hybrid car?

    Hybrid vehicles do not need to be charged like all-electric vehicles do. Hybrid cars are able to charge themselves. Because the energy generated when the gasoline engine is started or braked is stored in the battery of hybrid vehicles. In other words, the power source of a hybrid car is itself and it recharges itself thanks to the energy it produces.

    Among the hybrid vehicle types, only Plug-in hybrid cars have the ability to be charged externally.

    What are the advantages of using a hybrid car?

    Since the two engines in hybrid cars work together in a balanced way, they consume very little fuel. For example, during stop-starts, which is one of the leading causes of fuel consumption, the electric motor takes over and provides lower fuel consumption.

    Hybrid cars are considered one of the eco-friendly mobility options. When the electric motor is running, carbon emissions are minimized. Considering the high emission values of diesel and gasoline vehicles and their share in the increase in air pollution, hybrid cars are real environmentalists. The advantages of low fuel emissions to the environment and low fuel use to your budget, are remarkable.

    One of the luxuries that hybrids provide to their users is uninterrupted driving pleasure. The self-charging battery recycles energy and renews your vehicle’s power during braking, when the accelerator pedal is not depressed, and even on downhill descents. So just using your car is enough to keep your battery charged.

    In hybrid cars, the internal combustion engine does not work alone. The electric motor also assists it during work. This can extend the wear time of the car. In addition to the high performance created by the two engines, hybrid vehicles offer a quiet and comfortable driving experience compared to many other vehicles.

    Tax deductions applied in the sale of hybrid vehicles can also be among the advantages.

    What are the disadvantages of using a hybrid car?

    Since the battery sizes of hybrid vehicles are relatively small, they cannot be used electrically for a long time. For this reason, diesel or gasoline engines come into play in high-speed intercity travels.
    Although the combination of electric and gasoline engine offers many advantages, it can also cause less power compared to vehicles with only gasoline engines.

    If a vehicle has an electric motor, it means high-voltage batteries. Although hybrid vehicle technology is developing more and more every day, the question of whether high voltage will pose a risk in case of an accident comes to mind inevitably.

    The sales prices of hybrid cars may be higher compared to the gasoline-only cars.
    Compared to conventional, petrol vehicles, hybrid cars do not have a widespread service network, yet.

    Are there different types of hybrid vehicles?

    Yes. In general, 5 types can be mentioned: Mild-Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Parallel Hybrid, Series Hybrid and Parallel-Series Hybrid.

    How does a Mild-Hybrid car work?

    The electric motor is supportive only in a mild hybrid car. The electric motor supports the combustion engine. It is activated especially when a large amount of fuel is consumed during take-off and can help increase the engine’s power during acceleration. Batteries, on the other hand, are only charged automatically by regenerative braking, which captures the energy created by the braking friction, converts it into electricity, and stores it in the battery. Therefore, charging stations are not used in mild hybrid cars.

    How does a Plug-in Hybrid car work?

    Both internal combustion engine and electric motor is able to run the car on its own. Plug-in Hybrid cars (PHEVs) use regenerative braking as their electric energy source. In addition, the battery of the electric motor is quite large and these vehicles have the ability to be charged by plugging them into an external electricity source.

    How does a Parallel-Hybrid car work?

    The most common type of hybrids are parallel hybrids. In these vehicles, the gasoline engine and electric motor are combined to work together to power the vehicle. Although the main load is on the gasoline engine, the electric motor provides support to the gasoline engine. Gasoline engine does not charge the battery. Instead, the only source of charging power is regenerative braking.

    How does a Series- Hybrid car work?

    They are hybrid cars in which there is no physical connection between the internal combustion engine and the wheels. Movement of the vehicle is provided by the electric motor. The internal combustion engine provides energy for the electric motor. Series hybrid cars can use two power sources together, or they can travel short distances on electric power alone. These features make them advantageous in heavy traffic areas where stop-and-go is required frequently.

    How does a Series- Parallel Hybrid car work?

    It is a combination of series and parallel hybrids. Series-parallel hybrid vehicles can run on fuel only, electricity only, or both together. The internal combustion engine can charge the battery, as in series hybrids. During normal driving, the petrol engine is the primary power source, while the electric motor provides assistance. However, in the presence of heavy traffic where the vehicle speed slows down, the electric motor takes over and the vehicle starts to work with electricity.

    Should you buy a hybrid vehicle?

    If you drive frequently only in urban or on short-distance roads, choosing a hybrid car would be to your advantage. However, if you frequently drive long distances and drive at high performance, hybrid cars may not be the right choice for you. Instead, if you want to stay in the electric vehicle world, we recommend buying a battery/all-electric vehicle.

    Why are hybrid vehicles more expensive than conventional combustion engine vehicles?

    There are two main reasons. The first is that conventional cars have been around longer than hybrids, which means manufacturers know these vehicles and the market well. They can tolerate unexpected situations and adapt more easily to changes and innovations.

    In addition, the running system of hybrid cars is more complex and therefore more expensive compared to a conventional gasoline engine. Hybrid vehicles need two kinds of motor; gasoline and electric. They require battery storage system, and systems to generate and recover the energy to be stored in the battery. Furthermore, hybrids require additional systems to manage and operate all those extra parts they have.

    Are there any tax benefits associated with purchasing a hybrid car?

    Some hybrid vehicles may be eligible for the federal tax credit. In some cases, the loan may result in a significant reduction in the selling price of the vehicle. Find out if the model you are considering purchasing is eligible for this tax benefit.

    Are hybrid cars manual or automatic transmission?

    Almost all hybrid vehicles have an automatic transmission. Thanks to the automatic transmission, the electric motor and the internal combustion engine combine seamlessly. In theory, a hybrid vehicle could have a manual transmission, of course. However, automatic transmission is much more advantageous in terms of efficiency.

    Which hybrid cars have the highest range?

    Some of the hybrid cars with the highest range include;
    Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, offering an electric-only range of 33 miles
    Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge Extended Range, offering an electric-only range of  35 miles
    Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, offering an electric-only range of 37 miles
    Lexus NX 450h+, offering an electric-only range of 37 miles
    Toyota RAV4 Prime, offering an electric-only range of 42 miles
    Polestar 1, offering an electric-only range of 52 miles

    Which hybrid cars have the cheapest price?

    According to today’s data, Toyota Yaris looks like the cheapest hybrid car on the market starting from $ 23,740 for the basic model. 
    Examples of other cheapest hybrid vehicles include; Hyundai Kona Hybrid,
    Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Hyundai Ioniq, Kia Niro, Toyota C-HR, Ford Mondeo Hybrid, Lexus UX.

    Today, we went over the most curious and frequently asked questions about hybrid vehicles. The more you know about hybrid cars, the better you can keep the pulse of the electric vehicle world. If there’s more you’d like to know about hybrid vehicles, please let us know.

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