What You Need to Know about Hybrid

What You Need to Know about Hybrid

Many of us don’t really think much about our surroundings. In fact most of us would buy a luxury Sport Utility vehicle in a heartbeat if we could. Although there have been incessant campaigns in global warming many of us don’t really pay attention to pollution emitting out of our car’s exhaust pipe’s. That was until gas prices started to soar and people were desperate for alternatives. Hybrid technology was new and misunderstood in the past. Visions of weird boxes on wheels came to mind. That was until the Toyota Prius came out in 1997.

The first hybrid car did not look out of this world or too space age for the common person’s taste. It was just a conventional looking car that saved on gas. The hybrid technology spread slowly. Sales from the Prius and Insight were moderate. Nonetheless, the public supported the technology which led to further improvements. The Ford Escape hybrid filled the gap between looking good and doing well. It had style and practicality which became the cue for luxury hybrid cars to add to the market.

Although hybrid cars are a good choice for today, is it really worth spending a lot of money to save the environment? And how do you know which to buy amid the slew of eye candy hybrids?

Why and what hybrid to buy

Hybrids run on electric power though their motors. These motors also serve as generators that recharge batteries on board to power them for mileage. This enables the vehicle to use less fuel which leads to lower costs and reduced emissions. The internal combustion engine serves as a back up for more power at high speeds. A computer determines which and how much power will be used from the motor and the engine.

Hybrids recharge through regenerative breaking. They are perfect for driving in the city where stop and go driving is common. In the city drivers don’t really need a lot of horsepower.

Other motor companies have made hybrids to add to their credentials. If you really want to be practical a compact four door sedan will do well for you instead of a hybrid SUV that cost twice as much. Luxury hybrids may do well in the long run by saving gas but spending more than $60,000 on a practical car defeats its purpose.

If you want to go green, go simple. In reality you don’t need to drive a 200 horsepower vehicle.

What is a Hybrid Vehicle

What is a Hybrid Vehicle?

Mankind has made a huge impact on the environment. Although science and technology are continually progressing, it is also the cause of the planet’s deterioration. Natural resources are being depleted to sustain the demand of a growing population. Although we have been gifted with logic and reasoning we are also prone to excess and carelessness that will inevitably bring about our demise. Although eradicated species and holes in the ozone layer can’t be restored, scientists are finding ways to help the environment and maintain whatever it has left.

One of the main contributors of pollution is cars. Transportation is a necessity so this problem is not easy to solve. Scientists and automotive companies have come up with a solution for environmental conscious customers. Hybrid vehicles were created to answer environmental issues and provide alternatives for customers.

What is a hybrid?

A hybrid vehicle is a type of automobile that depends on different power sources other than fuel (ex. diesel, petrol). These vehicles are either powered by internal combustion engines, electric motors, or a fuel cell and a rechargeable energy storage system. These types of power sources can be applied to different type of vehicles for public and private transportation.

Automotive companies today are continually developing this technology to be able to cater environmental friendly cars and deliver quality brand vehicles at the same time. They are turning to popular type of vehicles such as SUV’s to expand the appeal of hybrid technology.

Hybrid vehicles were designed to reduce emissions and save fuel. With the continuing rise of gas prices and global warming campaigns, more people are searching for alternatives to decrease dependence on fuel. This technology will also contribute to the general health of the public because car emissions pose a threat to one’s health.

These vehicles are able to achieve this purpose in four ways. It shuts down the diesel engine during stops or idle periods. It has a battery storage that enables it to store and reuse the energy that it has recaptured. It’s able to recapture energy that is usually wasted while breaking. It relies on two power sources, the diesel engine and the electric motors to reduce fuel consumption during peak power usage.

This type of vehicle is very convenient for traffic ridden areas. It also reduces noise emissions when the vehicle is operating at low speeds. Hybrid vehicles are practical and convenient cars for everyday living in the city.

Vehicle Hybridization

Vehicle Hybridization

Anyone can choose to ignore the incessant global warming campaigns. Most of us simply forget that we live on earth which is slowly deteriorating because of our actions. But all of us cannot tolerate the continuing rise in gas prices. Customers today are looking for alternatives to save on fuel costs. Fortunately hybrid vehicles have given us the option to save gas and help the environment. Hybrids are no longer restricted to a conventional 4 door sedan. Hybrid SUVs are also out on the market today to meet the demands of the customers.
Ever since the Toyota Prius came out, other automobile companies have devoted their research in developing their own hybrid technology. Ford and Honda have their own hybrid system incorporated into new models. Hybrid vehicles are expensive for now but development in the future will make them more accessible and affordable for the general public. The technology is still going through development to be able to compete with the fuel dominated automobile industry.

How hybrid are you?

Hybrids have different types. Their structures may differ in some ways but generally they have a rechargeable battery on board or an electric motor that works with an internal combustion engine to move the vehicle. In other vehicles they can operate a rechargeable battery alone but there are many limitations to this type which has prevented it from being widely manufactured. These vehicles are primarily moved by an electric motor and only use the diesel engine for high speeds.
There are different degrees of hybridization. Full or strong hybrids that can run just by using an engine, its batteries are a combination of both. Examples of this are the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape. These two vehicles can move by battery power alone and be assisted by their diesel engines when needed.
Power assist hybrid uses its engine for primary power, coupled with an electric motor to boost torque. The electric motor is connected to a power train and is mounted between the engine and the transmission.
Mild hybrids are conventional vehicles with huge starter motors. This allows the engine to be turned off during idle periods and coasting but still enable the vehicle to start quickly. Most people do not consider this type to be a hybrid but it can still save fuel costs. It’s just not as efficient as full hybrids.
Hybrid vehicles are perfect for suburban environments where there is a lot of traffic. If you really look at it the most important is not horsepower but gas mileage.

The Internal Combustion Engine

The Internal Combustion Engine

The engines in vehicles is a rather broad but interesting subject. People may be amazed to know that the ones currently in use today were drawn on several hundreds of blueprints before they were distributed to the market. The present models are the result of over a century worth of brainstorming and experience and will further influence the models of the future.

What is the ICE?

ICE stands for internal combustion engine wherein the combustion of fuel and an oxidizer occurs. The combustion chamber is the space where everything happens causing an exothermic reaction that produces gas at a high pressure and temperature. The expanding hot gases will directly put pressure on solid engine parts causing them to move. Pistons, rotors or the engine itself then begins movement which propels the entire vehicle.

The very first models of the ICE ran on an air/fuel mixture rather than compression. The initial part of the intake stroke sucks or blows in the mixture. Modern ICEs already incorporates in-cylinder compression. The engines were used in a variety of methods and industries like generators, boats, aircrafts and most particularly, automobiles.

The Operation

The internal combustion engine operates using a four-stroke cycle or the Otto cycle. The cycle involves four phases namely: induction, compression, power and exhaust. All of these aim to create an exothermic chemical process to start vehicle propulsion. During induction, oxygen or other oxidizers are introduced into the cylinder to act with the fuel. Compression then begins as the gases start a reaction that continuously increase temperature and pressure within the cylinder.

When enough pressure is applied on the corresponding engine parts, the engine begins to gain power through movement coming from direct force application. The aftermath of the entire compression process will lead to exhaustion of byproducts like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen wastes. These gases are freely emitted into the atmosphere. The combustion process is started through engine ignition using the spark ignition method or the compression ignition system.

Where Does Gasoline Come In?

There are electric/gasoline-type systems that use a combination of lead-acid battery plus an induction coil to create a high-voltage electrical spark. The spark will then ignite the mix of air and fuel within the cylinder. The battery is rechargeable even during operation through an alternator or generator driven by the engine itself. Gasoline engines get an air and gasoline mixture to be compressed to less than 185 psi. The spark plug ignites the mixture during compression within the cylinder.

As for diesel engines, these require only heat and pressure produced by the engine during the compression process for ignition. Diesel compression is approximately three times higher compared to a gasoline engine. Diesel engines use air only. Some diesel fuel is sprayed into the cylinder with the use of a fuel injector just before peak compression to start ignition immediately. HCCI engines also require only heat and pressure but take in air and fuel. This process makes diesel and HCCI engines more prone to cold starts.

The Polluting Effects

Combustion products or the hot gases ignited and burnt inside the engine will have higher amounts of energy compared to the compressed fuel and air mixture. After available energy are used up to drive the engine pistons, remaining combustion products will be vented or exhausted through a valve or the exhaust outlet to bring back the piston in its original state also called TDC. Any heat which is not used up will become a waste product due to be removed from the engine via a liquid or air cooling system.

Air pollution emissions then result from incomplete combustion of carbonaceous fuel. Examples of engine byproducts are carbon monoxide, soot, nitrogen wastes, sulfur and uncombusted hydrocarbons. These also result if the products did not operate near the stoichiometric ratio required for effective combustion. The fuel would not have burnt very well due to factors like cool cylinder walls or lack of air. This is also known as quenching of the flame.

Both gasoline and diesel engines emit harmful gases that can be dangerous to humans as well as the environment. The greenhouse gases start trapping hot air within the atmosphere instead of allowing them to exit to space leading to global warming. The rise of the ICE or internal combustion engine finally showed its major flaw which is pollution.

The Best of Both Worlds

The Best of Both Worlds

Hybrid vehicles are slowly taking over the automotive market. Environmental issues and rising gas prices have prompted scientists and companies to provide alternatives. These vehicles provide an option for consumers and reduce dependence from fuel (ex. Diesel, petrol).

Hybrid technology has been steadily developing over the past centuries. Although diesel will always be a dominant power source for vehicles, other sources are also being utilized to reduce harmful impacts on the environment and health of the general public. This gives hybrid vehicles the edge over conventional vehicles today.

It is no doubt that mankind is not only depleting the planet of its natural resources but also causing its deterioration. The development of science and technology has made Hollywood sci-fi movie sets more feasible than we thought but it also brings a lot of consequences. The development of other power sources such as vehicles and fuels are beneficial in the long run to sustain life on earth.

Hybrid electric vehicles

Hybrid electric vehicles work by using an internal combustion engine which uses fuel and a rechargeable energy storage system. By using the combination of these two power sources the vehicle will be able to decrease fuel consumption, reduce pollution and noise emissions. It is different from the hybrid vehicle drive trains which uses a fuel power source and a rechargeable energy storage system.

Diesel engines are typically used to generate power for hybrid vehicles. These vehicles can also use biofuels which are renewable sources of energy. This reduces the dependence on petroleum for fuel. Decreased use of fuel leads to lesser emissions and lower costs.

These vehicles are able to recapture wasted energy and turn off the diesel engine during low output and idle periods such as traffic. The internal combustion engines are also much lighter and efficient when compared to conventional cars. The technology reduces the wear on the engine and the brakes. Contrary to popular belief hybrid electric vehicles batteries are not hazardous wastes. They can be recycled and reused.

These vehicles are suitable in urban environments where traffic is normal and there are more people in the streets. Emissions from cars are also harmful on the health of the general public.

These vehicles provide a practical alternative for environment conscious consumers. Gas prices, environment and health issues are all being addressed by this technology. Hopefully in the future these types of vehicles will be more accessible all over the world.

The Benefits of Hybrid Vehicles

The Benefits of Hybrid Vehicles

Buying a hybrid car may give you the bragging rights of being the first person in your neighborhood to drive a hybrid vehicle. But that does not end there. Harnessing the hybrid technology can actually give you several benefits you cannot expect from a conventional gasoline-engine car.

1. Fuel economy. Depending on the driving condition and driver’s habits, a gasoline powered family sedan can run 15-34 miles on a gallon of fuel. Hybrid cars, on the other hand can run 40-60% longer at 20- 60 miles on a gallon of gas. This is perhaps the biggest reason why hybrid cars are so popular today. And with the uncontrollable increase in pump prices, hybrid cars can solve at least one of the obvious problems.

2. Durability. The hybrid vehicle automatically shuts off its combustion engine when idling. Not only does it help to conserve gas, it also reduces the wear on the engine. Also, the regenerative braking system that recaptures the lost energy when braking reduces the wear on the brakes.

3. Tax credit reward. While the sticker price of one hybrid car can set you back several thousands more than its non-hybrid counterpart, you can actually enjoy a tax reward of as much as $3000 depending on what hybrid car you buy. Also, the government imposes several incentives exclusive to hybrid car owners like free parking among others.

4. Environmental impact. Hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (diesel), and formaldehyde also known as formalin are 5 noxious gases emitted by gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicles. These gases contribute to the greenhouse effect. In short, these gases are harmful to the environment. Since hybrid cars consume less fuel, they also emit less fumes.

5. Sophisticated design. If you only care about the looks of the car, then choose among one of the available hybrid cars on the market today and you’ll surely fall in love with one of them. Hybrid cars are among the best looking cars today.

6. Exclusivity. There are only a few hybrids among 200 million cars on the road today. And if you own one, then you’ll feel that you own an exotic car. While this won’t last long since many car manufacturers have announced more hybrid models in the future plus more and more hybrids are being sold everyday, it is still a good feeling that you are one of the first.

Hybrid Car Features

Features You may Want for Your Hybrid Car

Hybrid cars were not created equal. Some produce more power. Some are designed for maximum fuel efficiency. Some are built for city driving; others are made to turn heads. Most have unique features that further improve the quality of driving and fuel economy. When you are shopping for one, take note of the following features.

Regenerative braking system. In conventional gasoline-powered cars, all the kinetic energy (energy in motion) is lost and wasted during braking. Hybrid cars recapture this kinetic energy through the regenerative braking system back to the battery for future use. The regenerative braking system increases fuel economy and reduces wear to the brakes.

Low-rolling resistance tires. Tires are often not seen as a major factor in increasing the fuel economy. But in hybrid cars, they use low-rolling resistance tires to improve gas mileage. These stiffer, narrower, and inflated tires reduce the drag against the ground.

Fuel economy. Not all hybrids are fuel efficient. Some are made to perform. And even if the hybrids are made to get the longest miles out of every gallon of gas, some are still better than others. For example, the Ford Escape Hybrid runs 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on highway. Toyota Prius runs 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highway. The Honda Civic Hybrid runs 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highway. When choosing what hybrid car to buy, take note of these differences.

Periodic engine shut off. Idling consumes fuel too. So, most hybrid cars automatically turn off its combustion engine temporarily during stops. A hybrid car with this feature is most ideal if you drive in stop-and-go traffic most of the time.

Smaller and more efficient engine. Logically, the car does not actually need a V6 or a V8 in order to run because most of the time, your car only requires 20 hp to move. The extra horsepower is only needed during acceleration. This is the reason why hybrid cars are so efficient. They use smaller engines.

Safety, Comfort, and Space. These are 3 issues that are questionable to hybrid cars. In general, hybrid cars are as safe, as comfortable, and as spacious as their non-hybrid counterpart. But if you are more concerned about not getting these 3 in a hybrid car, you should not have a problem. There are several hybrid cars on the market today that focus on these 3 areas.

Parts of the Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Vehicles

Parts of the Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Vehicles

The typical gasoline powered car contains a combustion engine, fuel tank, and transmission, whereas with the gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, it contains the following parts:

Gasoline Engine.

The engine of a hybrid car is relatively smaller than its gasoline-only counterpart. This is because of two reasons:

• (1) the car doesn’t require a big engine since there it uses another source of power
• (2) a bigger engine means larger displacement, heavier weight, and poor fuel economy; since most hybrid cars are designed for maximum fuel efficiency, the engine has to be small. (Diesel engines for diesel-electric hybrid vehicles.)

Fuel Tank.

The fuel tank is the energy storage device of the gasoline engine. The size of the fuel tank on a hybrid car may be reduced since the car has to accommodate the size of the batteries.

Transmission.

Most hybrid cars use the same transmission as a conventional car.
Batteries. The batteries of a hybrid car are the energy storage device for the electric motor. The batteries perform 2 functions: they send energy to the electric motor and store energy that is being captured by the generator.

Electric motor.

A hybrid electric motor is very sophisticated. It can perform as a motor as well as a generator. This means, the electric motor can draw the energy from the battery to accelerate the car or to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration. The electric motor can also act as a generator by slowing the car down and store the energy back to the battery.

Generator.

The generator of a hybrid car is much the same as the electric motor but it only acts to produce electric power. Generators are mostly used on series hybrids.

Hybrid electric cars can be parallel or series. Parallel hybrid cars can use the electric motor or gasoline engine to drive the transmission which turns the wheels. Or, it can use both the electric motor and the gasoline engine to drive the transmission and turn the wheels.

Series hybrids, as opposed to parallel hybrids never directly use the gasoline engine to power the vehicle. Instead, the engine turns the generator which either powers the electric motor that drives the transmission or changes the batteries.

Be it a parallel or series structure, the hybrid vehicle uses two sources of energy to provide the same performance we expect from a passenger car and increasing fuel economy at the same time.

How Did Hybrid Cars Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy?

How Did Hybrid Cars Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy?

Hybrid cars can run from 20mpg to 60mpg. How do they do it? Aside from using both the electric motor and combustion engine to draw propulsion, hybrid cars have several tricks to squeeze every mile out of each gallon of gasoline. Hybrid electric vehicles have:

Lightweight materials.

One of the surest ways to increase the mileage of the car is to reduce its overall weight. The lighter the car is, the higher the fuel mileage will be. So instead of steel, lightweight materials such as magnesium and aluminum or composite materials like carbon fibers are used for hybrid vehicles.

Smaller engine.

The weight of the car is directly related to its fuel consumption. And because larger engines are relatively heavier, they require more energy just to propel their own weight, thus consuming more fuel. Also big engines have large cylinder displacement that requires more fuel just to stop.
Since hybrid vehicles utilize other sources of power, they do not require large engines. Instead, the smaller and lighter engine equates to better fuel mileage. The Honda Civic Hybrid, for example uses a 1.3 L iVTEC 4-cylinder engine as opposed to the typical 1.8 L or 2.0 L engine for the non-hybrid counterpart.

Improved aerodynamics.

When you are driving at a high speed, most work of the engine goes into pushing the car through the air. Hybrid cars are designed in such away that its frontal area chops through the air, reducing drag and increasing fuel economy. The Honda Insight is the best example of how a car can increase its fuel mileage by using a smoother aerodynamic design.

Energy conservation.

Since hybrid cars do not rely solely on internal combustion engines that run continuously even at stops, they can shut off the engine temporarily whenever do not need it. It will automatically turn on when you step on the gas pedal.

Energy recovery.

Much of the energy is lost when braking, more so at high speeds. Hybrid vehicles are designed to recapture this lost energy and store it back in the battery to be used later.

Special tires.

Tires are specifically used to minimize noise, provide a smooth ride, and give good traction in different weather conditions. But tires are rarely used to optimize efficiency. They cause a great deal of drag while driving. Hybrid cars on the other hand use low-rolling resistance tires. They are inflated to a higher air pressure and are stiffer which result in reduced drag and better fuel efficiency.