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