| Automobile companies go to extreme lengths to | | | | additional starter power. |
| one up the competition, they roll out new makes | | | | This design is used by the hybrid automobiles of |
| and models yearly. The cars of today are lean, | | | | Honda, like the Insight. It compliments the |
| mean horsepower monsters showcased in the | | | | reputation of the company in producing gasoline |
| most beautiful designs imaginable. During times of | | | | engines that are small and efficient. Honda's |
| oil and petroleum crisis, consumers are still waiting | | | | system is called Integrated Motor Assist. The |
| in line to purchase the latest automobiles. | | | | difference of the Assist from the Full hybrids is |
| So it is very fortunate that there are some | | | | that it cannot function on electric power alone. |
| manufacturers that came up with the concept of | | | | 3. Mild hybrid |
| hybrid automobiles. Hybrid cars were developed to | | | | They are conventional vehicles equipped with |
| save on the world's oil resources and to produce | | | | starter motors that are oversized. The advantage |
| lower emissions. Hybrids are a combination of the | | | | of this is that the engine can be shut off |
| combustion gasoline engine of the present and | | | | whenever the car is in braking, coasting or |
| electric motor. To power to these automobiles, | | | | stopping motion, and still be able to restart with |
| multiple propulsion packages are utilized. Electric | | | | no problems at all. Like the other hybrids, energy |
| batteries are utilized to crank up the electric | | | | is recaptured by utilizing the motor for |
| motors. The batteries of the modern | | | | regenerative braking. |
| commercially-produced hybrids are recharged by | | | | Some people do not consider the mild variety as |
| acquiring kinetic energy through the means of | | | | hybrid automobiles, because they do not save up |
| regenerative braking used in the Toyota Prius or | | | | on fuel compared to the other kinds. Chevrolet |
| Honda Insight hybrid-electric vehicle. | | | | used this system for their Silverado automobile, |
| There are many kinds of hybrid automobiles. | | | | and they improved its fuel efficiency by making |
| These types are distinguished by the connection | | | | the engine turn off or restart on demand. General |
| manner between fueled and electric halves of the | | | | Motors created the Belt alternator starter hybrid |
| powertrain and the designated operating period of | | | | system, for the Saturn VUE Green Line |
| each portion. | | | | automobiles. Its operation is more or less the |
| Here are the main classifications and the brands | | | | same as the Silverado. |
| that utilize the following hybrid packages: | | | | 4. Plug-in hybrid |
| 1. Full hybrid | | | | They are full hybrids that function using only |
| It can operate on just the engine or the batteries | | | | electric power, equipped with bigger batteries and |
| alone, or both power sources combined. These | | | | has the capability to recharge energy from the |
| automobiles have more drivetrain flexibility | | | | power grid. The primary benefits of using these |
| because of the presence of split power path. The | | | | vehicles is that they can be independent from |
| electrical and mechanical power is interconverted. | | | | gasoline for short, daily trips, but can also have |
| Differential-style linkage is utilized by the vehicles | | | | the capabilities of other hybrids when it comes to |
| in the middle of the motor and the engine linked | | | | long distance travel. They can also be used by |
| to the transmission's head end in order to put | | | | multiple fuels to supplement the electric power. |
| balance from each power portion. | | | | Companies such as Renault and DaimlerChrysler |
| Toyota's Prius and Highlander SUV are full hybrids, | | | | are producing automobiles using this system. |
| with computer-operated systems that decides | | | | Here are some more of the hybrid automobiles |
| which power source should be in operation, or if | | | | that are currently available in the market: |
| both of them should be working at the same | | | | 1. Lexus RX400h and GS450h from Lexus |
| time. When operating on its normal mode, the | | | | 2. Honda Insight Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid and |
| electric power is used, and the gasoline engine will | | | | Honda Accord Hybrid from Honda |
| only work if it is required or if the electric motor | | | | 3. Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner from |
| has been turned off. | | | | Ford |
| 2. Assist hybrid | | | | Consumers today have lots of options when |
| These hybrids use the engine as the main source | | | | purchasing their automobiles. For those who are |
| of power. A very powerful electric motor is | | | | conscious of the amount of fuel wasted and the |
| connected to a conventional powertrain. It | | | | amount of emissions produced, hybrid automobiles |
| operates when there is a need for the engine to | | | | are a very sound option. |
| be turned over and also when the driver requires | | | | |