New Eco-Friendly Cars

What is a hybrid car?

The meaning of a hybrid car is easier than you can imagine. Hybrid vehicles are a transition to a future with fully electrified mobility. In addition, today they are an alternative that contributes to caring for the environment because they produce a lower amount of emissions if we compare it with a car with a combustion engine.

On a technical level, a hybrid is a vehicle that uses two sources of energy to be able to function. The most common is that it has a gasoline engine and an electric one; however, there are also versions in which diesel or gas propellants are added to the electric motor.

How Does a Hybrid Car Work?

In addition to the 12V battery that all cars have, hybrids incorporate a battery that is usually lithium-ion. That said, the propulsion system of a hybrid car is autonomous, which means that it will take care of on its own. the use of the electric engine and the combustion engine.

However, some brands have been incorporating driving modes, among which you could find one specially designed to travel solely with the electric motor. Of course, to achieve this, it is necessary that the electric battery has a sufficient charge and that the speed limit established for driving in this mode is not exceeded. The formula is simple: the more power needed, the greater the role of the combustion engine.

Like conventional powertrains, hybrid cars also have a gearbox, which, depending on the manufacturer, can be a torque-converter automatic, dual-clutch, or CVT (continuously variable).

How is a hybrid car charged?

As we mentioned, some hybrid systems allow total circulation in electric mode, although for this the batteries must have sufficient energy. This is where another of the most common questions arises: how do you charge a hybrid vehicle?

The answer, in principle, is simple: a hybrid car does not need to be charged. This is because the electric motor is a kind of generator that is responsible for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is used to charge the batteries.

In simple terms, these batteries will charge when decelerating or braking. However, this point brings us to the different hybrid options that exist in the market because, yes, some do need an outlet.

What types of hybrids are there?

If we talk about outlets, it could be said that there are two types of hybrids: non-pluggable and pluggable.

Non-plug-in hybrids: are the most common. They are characterized by having low-capacity batteries, which are recharged, as we mentioned before, through the deceleration or braking process.

Plug-in hybrids: They also combine an electric motor with a combustion engine, but they have such large batteries that they need an extra power source to recharge. One of the advantages of plug-in hybrid cars is that they allow approximately 20 to 50 kilometers to be traveled in fully electric mode.

And, speaking of moving in fully electric mode, hybrids also have other types depending on this capacity.

Micro hybrids: they have a small electrical propellant that comes to play an important role in some phases. For example, to save fuel, they can be useful in the switching on and off phase in a Start/Stop system.

Mild Hybrid: the electric motor has greater participation since it works as a support to the combustion engine. Generally, they intervene when driving at low speed or when starting.

Advantages of Hybrid Cars

More efficient: Let’s say the combustion engine operates more intelligently. This is because it works most of the time at the correct speed so that it makes better use of the fuel.

Lower consumption: thanks to inertia, a hybrid car recovers energy during deceleration or braking, which also leads to lower fuel consumption.

Reduction of emissions: hybrids are eco-friendly par excellence. Thanks to the implementation of an electric motor, they can produce up to 40% fewer emissions than cars with a conventional propulsion system.

Extra power: having two motors, there is a combined power; that is, the electric motor will give an extra dose to the combustion propellant.

New Kia Niro Hybrid

The Kia Niro is a hybrid that has a lithium-ion battery of 240 V and 42 KW, which delivers a power of 43 HP and 17.3 kg.m of torque. Thus, the combined power of the Kia Niro is 139 HP and 27 kg.m of torque.

All New Escape Hybrid

The American brand defines a before and after in our country with the Ford Escape Hybrid. This eco-friendly vehicle has a 2.5-liter engine that, combined with an electric drive, provides a combined power of 200 HP and 210 Nm of torque. In addition, this car stands out for its semi-autonomous technology for driving assistance.

New Swift Smart Hybrid

It is a hybrid with an excellent quality/price ratio. The Suzuki Swift Smart Hybrid stands out for its ISG and SHVS systems, which are responsible for assisting the combustion engine and making this car even more efficient in its fuel consumption.