What is a hybrid car? The most profitable hybrid car

Cars with a hybrid engine are slowly, but confidently continue to win positions in the global automotive industry. The growth of popularity and production volumes of such models is promoted by quite objective factors - steadily rising prices for diesel fuel and gasoline, introduction of increasingly stringent requirements to economy indicators and new environmental standards of engines.

Hybrid car: what is it?

"Hybrid" in translation from Latin - an object obtained as a result of combining elements of heterogeneous origin. In the world of automotive technologies, this concept includes a combination of two types of power units. We are talking about an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor (an alternative is a motor running on compressed air). At the same time, modern automakers pay high priority to the intelligent energy management system.

There are two types of power plants of car hybrids - full (full hybrids) and light (mild hybrids). The first option involves equipping the car with a powerful electric motor, effectively paired with an internal combustion engine and capable of independently driving the car at a low speed. In the light version, the electric motor is given only an auxiliary role.

A short digression into the history

The first serial hybrid cars Toyota Toyota Prius liftback left the assembly line almost two decades ago, in 1997. Two years later, Honda brought the Insight to the market, and after a while, European and American auto giants - Ford, Audi, Volvo, BMW - joined the Japanese manufacturers. By 2014, the total fleet of motor vehicles sold hybrid crossed the 7 million mark.

However, do not think that the engine and electric motor earned a pair only in the late XX century. The first-born among the car hybrids in our current understanding was Lohner-Porshe Semper Vivus - a car created by the legendary Austrian designer Ferdinand Porsche in the distant 1900.

Hybrid powerplant diagrams

Parallel

For vehicles in which a parallel circuit is implemented, the internal combustion engine is the master. A powerful electric motor plays an auxiliary role, including acceleration or deceleration, and storing recuperative energy. The consistency of the engine and electric motor is provided by a computer control system.

Sequential

The simplest scheme of a hybrid car. Its principle of operation is based on the transfer of torque from the ICE generator, generating electricity and charging the battery. Movement of the machine is due to electric traction.

Mixed

Simultaneous implementation of a serial and parallel scheme. Moving from a place and moving at low speeds, the car uses electric traction, and the internal combustion engine ensures the operation of the generator. Movement at high speed occurs due to the transfer of torque from the internal combustion engine to the driving wheels. In the presence of increased loads, the electric motor is supplied with an additional power by the battery. The interaction between the electric motor and the internal combustion engine is achieved through planetary gearing.

Benefits

The hybrid car combines the advantages of electric vehicle engines and cars with ICE. Advantages of the electric motor are outstanding torque characteristics, and the internal combustion engine is liquid fuel and convenient energy carrier. The first is effective in the mode of frequent stops and starts, typical for driving around the city, the second - at constant speed. Indisputable advantages of such a tandem:

• Economy (at equal mileage fuel consumption of the hybrid is 20-25% less than the classical model);
• Large power reserve;
• Ecological compatibility (reduced volume of harmful emissions into the atmosphere due to rational fuel consumption);
• Minimum wear of brake pads (due to regenerative braking);
• Improved performance of running characteristics;
• The ability to store and reuse energy (accumulators are accumulators and special capacitors).

disadvantages

• High cost, due to the complexity of the design of the power plant.
• Expensive repair of hybrid cars and problems with the recycling of batteries.
• Relatively large weight.
• Exposure of the battery to self-discharge.

What do car owners say?

Car enthusiasts around the world are actively exchanging experience in the conquest of roads and impressions of cars, analyzing the pros and cons of models that are well known to them. And did not miss the hybrid cars. Their owners' testimonies eloquently testify to the reliability of such machines and the ability to substantially save part of the family budget that goes to purchase fuel. The last advantage is very important for fans of long trips. Among the disadvantages is the high cost of maintenance of hybrids and the worst, in comparison with classic cars, stability on corners.

Top models

Toyota Prius (Toyota Prius)

The pioneer of the family of hybrids, equipped with two electric motors (42 kW and 60 kW) combined with an internal combustion engine of 1.8 liters (98 hp). The maximum speed is 180 km / h. Due to the affordable price and exceptional fuel economy indicators, Toyota Prius has for many years been in the lead in terms of sales among competitors in its segment.

Toyota Camry Hybrid (Toyota Camry)

Hybrid car, featuring significant economy, attractive design, comfort and high technology. Another advantage that distinguishes Toyota Camry among fellow Hybrids is its rapid acceleration (in 7.4 seconds this model can accelerate to 100 km / h).

Chevrolet Volt (Chevrolet Volt)

Practical four-seat hatchback with excellent driving characteristics. Rechargeable hybrid (plug-in hybrid vehicle). Equipped with a gasoline engine (volume 1.4 liters, 84 hp), a block of lithium-ion batteries with a long service life, and an electric motor driving the car. The electric traction in the city cycle is about 54-60 km.

Volvo V60 Plug-in (Volvo V60 Plug-in)

The first among the auto-hybrid models with a turbo-diesel engine (volume 2.4 liters, power 215 hp, average consumption of diesel fuel per 100 km is 1.9 liters). The electric motor of this diesel-universal allows you to go on electric traction 50 km of the road.

Honda Civic Hybrid (Honda Civic)

The developers of the car made a bet on such important for the consumer characteristics as comfort, fuel economy and practicality. The main components of the popularity of the Honda Civic Hybrid - compactness, strikingly combined with the capacity of the hybrid due to special design solutions, economy and attractive design.

Prospects, or Short appeal to the skeptic

Hybrid technologies have their supporters and opponents. Some are convinced of their relevance and effectiveness, others do not tire of pointing out shortcomings. If you already own a classic car with a diesel or gasoline engine, you are satisfied with its design, low fuel consumption, technical and running characteristics, then maybe you should not rush to purchase a hybrid. Wait until the manufacturers bring to market more advanced versions.

Just do not stretch the waiting process too much, so you do not have to regret the lost time and wonder why you delayed the purchase for so long. According to experts, a hybrid car in the coming years will become quite common in the streets of megacities and small towns. In this case, a significant expansion of the existing model line is predicted. Hybrids will take a worthy place in every segment of the car series - from crossovers and supercars to minivan workers.