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