What are Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
Hybrid vehicles use more than one form of propulsion in a single vehicle, usually a combination of an electric motor
and battery pack as well as an internal combustion engine of some sort. The idea is to alleviate some of the issues
we have with using EVs , such as range anxiety and
lack of charging infrastructure by having a vehicle that can run
entirely on combustion engine power when necessary, but also lets us take advantage of zero emission, low cost
motoring by having all-electric capability too.
Think of them as a halfway house between combustion vehicles and electrics, and as such, they sit on the cutting
edge of automotive technology, pioneering the use of telematics and other complex solutions.
How does a Hybrid EV work?
A hybrid EV has two separate and independent powertrains ,
one is an internal combustion engine, the other an
electric motor and battery system. What makes HEVs so useful is that the vehicle can switch between these two
drivetrains on the fly as you are driving along. In many, the two can be combined to deliver more power or better
efficiency, or both.
Most have automated modes that allow the vehicle to choose the most effective power in any situation, making hybrid
EVs the first truly intelligent cars on the
market. While they vary in complexity depending on make and model, all
HEVs will include:
Electric Motor(s) — Efficient, instant torque motors for smooth acceleration and slow speed
power.
Battery Pack — Source of energy for the electric motor.
Internal Combustion Engine — Provides power for higher speed and long distance motoring, can
also recharge the battery as it goes.
Regen Braking — Helps recharge the battery by turning braking energy usually lost as heat into
electrical energy that is fed into the battery.
Lower emission, quiet and efficient electric driving when possible, combined with long range and usability of
combustion engine power gives the best of both worlds.
Hybrid EV Examples
Given the advantages offered, it is no surprise that we as customers have embraced the idea, and that means there is
a wide choice of HEV models out there from nearly all major manufacturers, even Porsche are in on it these days.
Notable HEVs that have impacted the market are:
Toyota Prius: Renowned for its fuel
efficiency and reliability.
Honda Accord Hybrid: Combines practicality with a high-performance hybrid system.
Ford Fusion Hybrid: Offers advanced features and a sleek design.
Chevrolet Volt: Known for its extended electric-only driving range.
Each is a very different type of vehicle, all offering a range of options to suit our different needs, and available
at a wide range of budgets too.
Conclusion
Hybrid EVs represent a crucial steppingstone between the reliance on combustion engines and the future of electric
vehicles. They allow us to overcome the limitations of current EV technology and infrastructure, while still
benefitting from the more fuel efficient, green power
that is at the heart of EV technology.
As a tool for adjusting to the inevitable shift to full EVs, the Hybrid EV will continue to play a role for the
foreseeable future.
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