Hybrid Electric Cars

Most of us have grown knowing that the regular cars on the road use an internal combustion engine. They usually run on gasoline or diesel. The exhaust from these vehicles pollute the atmosphere and are undeniably the cause of our unquenchable thirst for the worlds oil reserves.

Since 1999 we have had another choice in hybrid electric cars. These are the cars of the future. The difference is that the car manufacturers have added electric motor powered by a rechargable battery to the conventional internal combustion drive giving them two power sources.

Other power sources that deserve a mention are liquid petroleum gas (LPG), liquified nitrogen, hydrogen fuel cell, biofuels and solar energy.

Hybrid electric cars are very efficient by nature. The flow of energy is between the five key components
1. the gasoline engine
2. The generator
3. The inverter
4. The electric motor
5. The battery.

When the car starts out, energy from the battery travels to the inverter. This powers the electric motor to drive the wheels. Therefore, for initial acceleration and low speeds, you are driving on silent, smooth and exhaust free electric power.

Hybrids cars today have the advantage because they have two power sources. Once driving at higher speeds the petrol engine kicks in. One power stream of the internal combustion engine will automatically start to supplement the electric power to the wheels and the other will drive the generator and therefore the electric motor, charging the battery when needed.

The onboard computer controls the distribution of these power streams switching between gas and electric power for maximum efficiency.

If more power is required under the full throttle when you are passing another vehicle or climbing a hill for example, the battery provides extra drive to the high output electric motor. The engine is now working together with the electric motor to give you even more power to do those things very efficiently.

During deceleration or breaking, the gasoline engine will automatically stop. The electric high output motor acts as a generator, creating electricity from the kinetic energy of the wheels. This electrical energy is then stored in the battery. Resistance from the braking system provides energy back through the system to charge the battery so that it never needs to be plugged in.

The battery state of charge is fully controlled and when it reaches low levels, the generator works to recharge it. Electric motors are inherently very efficient. The driver may use the appropriate power source when it is needed under the specific conditions.

When the hybrid car is at low speeds or at a standstill, the petrol engine shuts down automatically eliminating emissions and saving fuel and the electric motor takes over.

The problem here is that you cannot drive on electric power for great distances or at great speeds because it takes a lot of battery power. And so, when more power is needed, the engine and the motor works smoothly together giving maximum efficiency with the addition of extra energy from the battery.

In the end you get extremely high fuel efficiency up to 45 or 50 miles per gallon in some instances an extremely low gas emissions. This is important for the air quality in our cities today and for future generations.