Essential Aspects About Hybrid Technologies

The times have changed, people have changed and so have their modes of transportation. Gasoline vehicles are quickly being replaced now by hybrid vehicles. In Hybrid Technology, the vehicles combine internal combustion engines with electric motors to power the car. Due to their growing demand and profitability, hybrid technology-laden vehicles are actively being manufactured by automobile companies now. Let us find out more about the major types of hybrid technologies that exist in the world today!

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Mild hybrid technologies

Mild hybrid technologies can be classified as the most basic hybrid technologies. The starter motor is replaced with a smaller motor called a belt-driven starter generator. The major aim of these motors is to help petrol or diesel engines to work more economically, improving fuel efficiency (like saving fuel when the car is accelerating). Mild hybrid technology vehicles are also known as MHEVs. These systems are pretty cheap, given that they have basic technologies at work here.

Vehicular coasting is linked with the process of regenerative braking in these vehicles. The energy applied to brake pads is converted to electrical energy, which charges the batteries further.

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Examples: Volvo's B4/B5, Honda's IMA, Audi's or Skoda's mHEV

Series hybrid technologies

The battery and motor are much bigger and more powerful compared to mild hybrid technologies. These are much more fuel-efficient.

The system works very smoothly depending on the conditions. The motors are enough to power the engine at low speeds or short distances without engines. At higher speeds or larger distances, the engine is involved in driving the vehicle.

Examples: Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, Subaru's e-Boxer Hybrid, BMW's ActiveHybrid

Plug-in hybrid technologies

The battery is of much higher capacity, thus needing to be recharged. One of the major advantages of these technologies is that they can travel long distances on batteries alone instead of traditional engines!

The lower emissions from cars are one of the best things about this hybrid technology. The engines are restricted in their functioning, thus reducing emissions.

Examples: Audi's TSFle, BMW's eDrive, Porsche's E-Hybrid, Volvo's Twin-Engine

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Range-extender electric technologies

The major difference between this technology and the rest of the hybrids is that the engine doesn't propel the vehicle in any way. The engine purely acts as a generator for the battery of the vehicle. Fun fact, the engines don't come into play unless the battery's charge falls down a certain limit. These are not traditionally filled in gas stations like other hybrid technology-laden vehicles, or gasoline vehicles would be filled.

Also, the engines are used when there is no plug-in option available for the driver!

Examples: BMW's Rex, GM's E-Rev