What is a Hybrid Car, How Do Hybrid Cars Operate? Here are the pros and cons

More and more people are driving hybrid vehicles. A hybrid vehicle essentially has two or more engines, namely an electric motor and a traditional engine (either petrol or diesel). The car has a gas engine for greater speeds and an electric engine for slower ones. In addition to saving gasoline, hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic are probably the most inexpensive on the market. Hybrid vehicles are so popular because they follow what is now called “clean technology”, in a bid to create a cleaner environment.

Despite hybrid vehicles’ increasing popularity, only a small percentage of people actually use them, largely because they are unaware of how they operate and whether they are equally as reliable as other gasoline-powered vehicles. Although the technology has been around since the turn of the century, it hasn’t been until recently that the cost of production has made them affordable for the common motorist.

What is a hybrid?

Quite simply, a hybrid combines at least one electric motor with a gasoline engine to move the car, and its system recaptures energy via regenerative braking. Sometimes the electric motor does all the work, sometimes it’s the gas engine, and sometimes they work together. The result is less gasoline burned and, therefore, better fuel economy. Adding electric power can even boost performance in certain instances.

With all of them, electricity comes from a high-voltage battery pack (separate from the car’s conventional 12-volt battery) that’s replenished by capturing energy from deceleration that’s typically lost to the heat generated by the brakes in conventional cars. (This happens through the regenerative braking system.) Hybrids also use the gas engine to charge and maintain the battery. Car companies use different hybrid designs to accomplish different missions, ranging from maximum fuel savings to keeping the vehicle’s cost as low as possible.

How Do Hybrid-Electric Cars Operate?

Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of electric motors that use battery-based energy storage with internal combustion engines or gasoline engines. Regenerative braking, dual power sources, and less idle time are the main performance factors. The popularity of hybrid cars is steadily growing at a systematic rate, making them a huge commodity in the global market. Most brands are making standout hybrid variants to their already existing lineup, and it is no surprise that when you see them on Nigerian roads, we all know the fuel situation in the country and how difficult it is sometimes to get a full tank of gasoline and talk about scarcity almost every two months. Most people have taken the wise option to buy a hybrid car, and most are aware of its advantages and not the disadvantages, so we are here to educate you on them before you make the decision to invest in a hybrid.

Hybrid Cars vs Normal Cars

A hybrid car has both a gas engine and an electric motor, whereas a gas-powered car only has a conventional gas engine. Hybrid cars are typically more fuel-efficient than their gas counterparts since they can switch between their gas and electric motors while being driven.

The Advantages of Hybrid Cars 

• Fuel Cost Savings

The amount of money a battery-assisted vehicle may save you at the fuel pump is the most obvious and frequently mentioned advantage of a hybrid car. It’s undeniable that many buyers of hybrid cars are drawn to the rather showy fuel economy ratings displayed by cars like the Toyota Prius, which can reach 50 mpg. This is especially true for those who have a lengthy commute, as the fuel-saving features of a hybrid automobile can significantly reduce monthly gasoline costs due to the benefits of steady-state driving. In bumper-to-bumper traffic, where the ability to move at low speeds only on battery power becomes a big asset, a hybrid car is also a potent weapon.

environmentally responsible. The fact that a hybrid automobile runs cleaner and gets higher gas efficiency than a gasoline-powered vehicle is one of its main advantages over the latter, making it more ecologically friendly. An electric motor and a gasoline engine work in tandem to power a hybrid car, which reduces fuel consumption and saves energy. Automobiles like the Ford Fusion Hybrid are not only economical in terms of the amount of petrol one needs to buy but also significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to their sluggish consumption rate. Hybrid vehicles contribute to maintaining clean air, particularly in large cities where traffic congestion can result in haze from the buildup of atmospheric pollutants.

• Economical Driving Habits

Since most of us do not drive professionally, we have acquired habits that occasionally result in us using a little more fuel than we really need to get from point A to point B. The majority of hybrid vehicles have at least a basic “driving instructor” system, which encourages drivers to brake gradually and gently rather than slamming on the brakes abruptly at every stoplight. You can easily transfer these skills to any other vehicle you might drive by relearning how to drive as efficiently as possible when operating a hybrid automobile.

• Outstanding Resale Value

When looking for a used hybrid automobile, you might have noticed that certain cars seem to hold their value better than gas-only models from the same year. This intriguing disparity can be attributed to a few factors. It is more difficult to find a secondhand hybrid car in a particular location because they are sold in fewer quantities and are often rarer than their gasoline-powered equivalents. In addition to having more advanced technology than their gas-only counterparts, hybrid cars frequently have higher sticker prices. Last but not least, the majority of hybrid vehicles have solid dependability histories, which is always a factor to take into account when buying a used automobile.

The benefits of owning a hybrid vehicle are numerous. You’ll like it most when it helps you keep your spending under control as gas prices rise. The environmental impact of owning and operating a hybrid vehicle is the other advantage that is not immediately apparent. It lessens your reliance on fossil fuels and the environmental impact of your carbon emissions. The benefits of owning a hybrid vehicle are numerous. You’ll like it most when it helps you keep your spending under control as gas prices rise. The environmental impact of owning and operating a hybrid vehicle is the other advantage that is not immediately apparent. It lessens reliance on fossil fuels and ensures the sustainability of other resources.

The Drawbacks of Hybrid Vehicles

Owning a hybrid car has drawbacks, but they’re generally not what you’d expect. Contrary to common belief, hybrid vehicles are as powerful as ordinary vehicles and have no trouble pulling or driving in the mountains. Depending on the hybrid fuel type your car utilizes, there may be drawbacks.

• Lower Power

In hybrid vehicles, there are two engines. The main source of power, a gasoline engine, is considerably smaller than those found in cars with just one engine, and the electric motor has a low output. Both have less power when combined than a gas-powered engine. Therefore, it is better suited for driving in cities than for accelerating quickly.

• Possibly Expensive

The main disadvantage of owning a hybrid vehicle is the financial strain it might cause. Hybrid cars can cost ten million naira more than the basic version, making them more expensive than regular petrol vehicles. However, the additional cost can be mitigated by decreasing operating expenses and other fees and higher costs for maintenance. The dual engine and ongoing technological advancements make it challenging for mechanics to fix the automobile, and maintenance costs are also significantly greater. Finding a mechanic with such experience is likewise challenging, and if you decide to go with a typical mechanic, you might not get the result you want.

• Inferior Handling

A hybrid vehicle is equipped with a gasoline-powered engine, a lighter electric engine, and a battery pack. This increases the weight and takes up more room in the car. Manufacturers reduce weight because it reduces fuel efficiency, which leads to smaller motors and batteries and less support for the suspension and body.

• In cold weather, hybrid fuel efficiency declines

Hybrid batteries require extra time to warm up when it is cooler outside. Therefore, compared to batteries in warm conditions, the chemical reaction inside batteries that releases energy to the electric motor reaches its maximal performance significantly more slowly. The main cause of the increased fuel consumption of hybrid vehicles in cold weather is the internal combustion motor’s need to supply additional energy that is released during the fuel combustion process.

Conclusion

When people hear or discuss hybrid cars, their minds usually resonate with the fact that they are environmentally friendly and how they usually reduce fuel costs. Hybrid cars are a safe option if you want to invest since they have a higher resale value than gasoline-fueled cars, but you have to keep in mind that maintenance is key.

Frequently Asked Questions