What is a Hybrid Car?

Posted on: Feb 16, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

What is a Hybrid Car?

Fuel-saving and environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles represent a major advancement in automotive technology. With this transition to more environmentally friendly options, understanding what is a hybrid car and how they work is essential.

As customers choose eco-friendly solutions increasingly, the integration of new car insurance tailored to hybrid cars becomes a vital aspect of fostering a greener, more responsible automotive future.

What is the meaning of Hybrid Car?

A hybrid vehicle is a remarkable achievement of automotive engineering that blends the power of electric motors and traditional internal combustion engines. It is an example of the seamless integration of the best features from both worlds, resulting in increased performance, better fuel economy, and lower emissions.

These cars are built to run on two power sources, using both the electric motor and the petrol or diesel engine concurrently or alternating between them as needed.

How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

The functioning of hybrid electric cars encompasses an advanced interplay between various systems.

Engine Operation:

The internal combustion engine starts just like it does in a regular car. In addition to supplying the vehicle with power, the engine also charges the battery pack.

Electric Motor Assist:

The electric motor helps the engine by kicking in during acceleration or when more power is required. By transferring energy from the battery pack to the drive train, the motor increases torque and efficiency. Certain hybrid vehicles only utilise the electric motor for short bursts of speed, up to forty kilometers per hour, while the combustion engine is used when going above these speeds.

Regenerative Braking:

This is a feature of hybrid motors that convert lost kinetic energy into electrical energy stored in the battery. During braking, the electric motor increases energy efficiency by generating power.

Battery Charging:

The battery pack is charged by the engine and regenerative braking system in conjunction with the vehicle's motion. The battery pack is kept adequately charged for electric motor assistance by this continuous charging procedure.

Energy Management:

To maximise energy flow, advanced control systems analyse power requirements, battery charge levels, and driving conditions. To ensure optimum performance and efficiency, these systems decide when to switch between the engine and the electric motor.

What are the Types of Hybrid Cars?

Mild Hybrids:

These vehicles augment petrol engines during acceleration without the need for an external charge due to a 48-volt electric system. These engines get their energy from the combination of a petrol engine and regenerative braking; they don't need to be plugged in.

Full Hybrids:

Full hybrids combine petrol and gasoline power in series or parallel configurations. They are better capable of handling a higher workload than those of mild hybrids. Parallel hybrids use different transmissions, whereas series hybrids feature electric dominance, with the gasoline engine only needed to recharge the battery.

Plug-in Hybrid:

A plug-in hybrid vehicle, like an electric car, has a larger battery pack that requires external charging to provide 15 to 55 miles of all-electric driving. When the battery runs out, the vehicle switches back to a conventional parallel hybrid.

Conclusion

Hybrid vehicles combine traditional and electric drivetrains to provide improved performance, fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions. Understanding hybrid types and customising comprehensive car insurance is essential for a greener future as eco-friendly choices increase.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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