Hybrid Cars - How They Work

With gas prices and pollution levels rising, many people are seeking vehicles that run on alternative sources of energy. The timing couldn't be better for the current crop of hybrid cars.

Hybrid cars are so called because they run on a combination of two different power sources. The first is a normal but usually highly fuel efficient gas engine designed to get the maximum amount of power and mileage from the minimum amount of fuel. This is usually also designed to minimize the exhaust gas and carbon emissions. The second is a high power electric motor, which is run by batteries stored in the car.

Many trains are hybrid vehicles as they draw power from the main grid where it is practical and economically feasible to use overhead power lines. But they have the option of using diesel power when this is not available or if there is a problem with the power supply.

The new innovations and advances in technology have enabled a new generation of hybrid cars to make use of this idea to both reduce fuel costs and to enable drivers 6to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced by their cars.

This combination of two fuel sources allows hybrid cars to run on the “normal” engine when high or sustained levels of power are required such as fast country roads or highways. This is also when a gas engine is at its most efficient and will therefore provide the best fuel economy, and the lowest level of emissions.

Although the gas engine in hybrid cars can provide huge amounts of power for fast acceleration this is not an effective use of its capabilities. Gas engines use disproportionately large amounts of fuel and produce huge amounts of emissions when driven hard for acceleration. However the gas engine is still the main power source for hybrid cars. However for cruising along the highway hybrid cars use a gas engine which be very efficient, use minimal fuel and produce low levels of gases. The lack of need for alteration of speed or power means that you can ease off on the gas until a comfortable cruising speed has been achieved and you are using only they amount of fuel needed to maintain the equilibrium.