A hybrid vehicle's electric motors are powered by batteries that charge through the regenerative braking process. This mechanism means that hybrid cars have an exceptional fuel economy for city driving.
Types Of Hybrid Cars
Depending upon their mode of operation, the hybrid vehicles classify into three different categories, which include:
- Parallel Hybrid;
- Series Hybrid;
- Plug-In Hybrid.
The PHEV, or Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle, differs from other EVs in that an external source charges its batteries. However, it still has a gasoline engine to complement the electric motors.
Benefits Of Hybrid Vehicles
Some of the benefits of owning a hybrid vehicle include:
- Environmentally Friendly
Although hybrid vehicles are not as environmentally friendly as all-electric ones, their CO2 emissions are still significantly lower than gasoline or diesel-powered cars – meaning they have a lower environmental impact.
Hybrid vehicles are quieter than internal combustion engines, reducing noise pollution, particularly in urban areas.
- Better Fuel Average
Since their batteries are continually charged due to the regenerative braking process, their overall fuel average during city driving is significantly higher than that of conventional vehicles.
- Less Range Anxiety For Owners
EVs are limited in how far they can be driven on a single charge before needing several hours of charging.
Hybrid vehicles are better in that they combine the best of both worlds, i.e., conventional cars and EVs. As a result, they can be driven for as long as the owner desires because, like conventional vehicles, the range can be extended by visiting a gas station.
- Better Performance
The acceleration of hybrid vehicles is far superior to conventional cars because the electric motors provide instant torque, propelling the car forward.
Drawbacks Of Hybrid Vehicles
The disadvantages of hybrid vehicles are as follows:
- High Initial Investment
Hybrid vehicles are more expensive than gasoline vehicles. Resultantly, a hybrid car of a similar make and model to a conventional car costs roughly 20% extra.
- Battery Replacement Is Costly
Hybrid vehicle batteries are critical to their operation; however, like all other Li-Ion cells, these batteries degrade over time.
The cost of replacing such batteries is relatively high, putting an additional burden on the owners.
- Poor Handling
Because the batteries on such vehicles are pretty heavy, the overall handling of the vehicles suffers.
As a result, the experience isn't as sporty as in a conventional vehicle of the same size and power.
- Battery Disposal Is Harmful To Environment
Hybrid vehicles emit fewer emissions per km than conventional vehicles. However, disposing of their batteries into the environment has far more negative consequences for the environment.
Final Verdict
Hybrid vehicles are cheaper to operate and better for the environment. However, the fact that they are more expensive at first turns off many customers, who eventually prefer conventional vehicles over them.
