How Hybrid Car Technology Works and Its Types
Hybrid cars are currently becoming popular among the general public because they have relatively advanced technology. The way hybrid cars work can be said to be more complex than other types of cars. Hybrid cars are also considered very environmentally friendly. To satisfy your curiosity about how the technology in hybrid cars works, the following will explain in detail how it works based on its types.
How Hybrid Car Technology Works and Its Types
Hybrid cars are divided into three types: full hybrid, standard hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. The following will explain how hybrid car technology works based on its type.
1. Full Hybrid
Full hybrid cars operate using gasoline as the primary energy source and power source. For additional power, it is usually taken from an electric motor. Full hybrid cars are environmentally friendly vehicles compared to other conventional cars.
In addition, the engine of a full hybrid car is also considered fuel-efficient. Because when the car is moving at low speeds, it uses the electric motor as the driving energy source.
When the car is moving at normal speeds, the full hybrid car uses both the electric motor and the gasoline engine as its driving energy sources. Full hybrid cars are currently also divided into more specific types: parallel, series, and series-parallel.
In full hybrid cars with a parallel system, the energy and power sources come from the gasoline engine, electric motor, and a combination of both.
For full hybrid cars with a series system, it has a system similar to the parallel system. In the series system, the gasoline engine functions as a charger for the electric motor's battery. The power is then used to drive the car's wheels.
Thus, the car's acceleration becomes smoother, similar to using an electric car. The parallel system of full hybrid cars is similar to the system used by the Daihatsu Rocky e-Smart.
For full hybrid cars with a series-parallel system, it has a system that combines both series and parallel systems.
2. Standard Hybrid
Standard hybrid cars operate as follows. When you start the car's engine, if the car's battery is low, the energy produced by the gasoline engine will be converted into electrical energy to charge the battery.
While the car is cruising at a speed of 60 km to 80 km per hour, the power source will be taken from the gasoline engine. If at that time the battery condition weakens, the energy from the gasoline engine is used to charge the battery.
During overtaking, the car will use power from both the electric motor and the gasoline engine to maneuver. When you are braking, the friction between the braking system components will be converted into electrical energy by the generator. This energy will then be stored in the battery and used when the car is moving or turning on the head unit.
Read Also: Understanding Hybrid Car Engines and Their Advantages
3. Plug-in Hybrid
For plug-in hybrid cars, their operation is similar to that of full hybrids. However, plug-in hybrids are equipped with a larger battery capacity compared to full hybrids.
As a result, the power and energy sources used are more derived from the electric motor. Consequently, fuel consumption becomes very economical and efficient in reducing air pollution.
Among the three types of hybrid cars mentioned above, which type are you more interested in?