Hybrids: How They Work

Hybrid vehicles have two or more propulsion systems, which means driving or pushing forward. Current hybrids consist of an internal combustion engine, electric motor, and battery.

Depending on the type, design, and the use of the hybrid; hybrid designs can range from operating mostly on the internal combustion engine with some assistance from the electric motor, to operating mainly on the electric motor, using the internal combustion engine only when considerable amount of power is demanded.

There are three basic types of hybrids:
• Mild: the electric motor and battery acts as an assistant to the internal combustion engine.
• Full: the two propulsion systems, the electric motor and internal combustion engine, can work independently or in conjunction with each other.
•Plug-in: the internal combustion engine only is used for as a back-up to the main rechargeable motor and battery system.

How does each type work?

The mild and full hybrid systems never have to be plugged in.

A mild hybrid system needs the internal combustion engine running at all times to drive the vehicle. The engine acts as an assistant to the electric motor. The electric motor cannot drive alone.

Unlike a mild hybrid, a full hybrid can drive only on the electric motor, without the internal combustion engine operating. However, the full hybrid is only able to operate like this under light cruising and low acceleration conditions. As soon as significant power in desired, the engine kicks-in to additional power.

A full hybrid system gets better mileage than mild hybrids, plus much more mileage in the city, since the electric motor is likely to get used the most in the city.

Plug-in hybrids are just like their name, they plug-in in to a 110-volt household current. Unlike other hybrids where the engine kicks in when more speed and power is needed, the plug-in hybrid’s engine only kicks-in when the battery charge is low and then the battery recharges. The plug-in hybrids are able to go 20 to 60 miles on their electric charge. When the vehicle is stopped and the battery needs to be recharge, it can be plugged-in and forgotten about until next time it is used.

Plug-in hybrids are not available in the car market yet.