There is no doubt that, in order to reduce emissions, we will have to use some sort of zero-emission vehicles, whether they are powered by batteries, hydrogen or something else.
What is a hybrid car
Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine, usually gasoline-based, and one or more electric motors that run on a small battery pack.
Usually, the car will rely on the battery-run electric motor to move itself from a standstill, although not all hybrid cars are created equal, as we'll see shortly.
The battery pack size also differs, depending on the hybrid car model, as a full hybrid will usually have a smaller battery pack, at around 1.2 kWh, while the plug-in has a larger battery system, rated at around 9.8 kWh.
This is again different from one manufacturer to another, but all hybrid cars have significantly smaller battery packs compared to full electric vehicles, since the latter don't have an alternative power source.
Types of hybrid cars
There are three types of hybrid vehicles that are quite different from one another, similar to hybrid buses.
First of all, we have the full hybrid cars, which are the simplest, most hassle-free option, because drivers don't have to worry about charging the vehicle themselves.
The car will charge itself either by regenerative braking or by running on the fossil-powered engine.
Full hybrids are great for the city and short distance, relatively low speed commutes, since they use the battery powered engine to drive up to around 50 km/h, which dramatically reduces consumption and the emissions. This system is known as full electric hybrid.
There are cars that use a series hybrid system, which means that the electric motor powers the wheels, while the internal combustion engine is used as an on-board generator.
Parallel hybrids use both the electric and the fossil engines to power the wheels, but it's not as efficient or environmentally friendly as the other two versions.
Next is the plug-in hybrid car, also known as PHEV, and it has a larger battery system compared to the full-hybrid version, due to the fact that this car needs to be plugged in to be recharged.
Technically, it does recover some of its energy using the regenerative braking system, but that's not enough to juice up the battery system completely.
Due to the fact that they have a larger battery system, they can drive in electric mode for longer distances when compared to full hybrids.
Last, but not least, there are mild hybrid cars, which are the least efficient of the bunch, but still better than fossil-powered vehicles.
They can only operate in parallel mode, as the electric motor only acts as a helper for the internal combustion one, and they recharge via regenerative braking.
Advantages in using hybrid cars
The first advantage of a hybrid vehicle, no matter what type it is, comes from the fact that it cuts on emissions and reduces fuel consumption, which is better for the environment, but also for the driver's wallet.
Also, it allows for much cleaner air in the city, since most hybrid cars rely on the electric motor to get themselves moving and they keep using that powertrain up to about 50 km/h. This means that no emissions or nearly no emissions are being released and the air is cleaner.
Hybrid cars can also have a smaller internal combustion engine, since they don't need as much power from it in order to move around, as they can use the battery-powered one for that purpose.
Also, they can have a higher resale value for all of the reasons mentioned above, but also due to the fact that more people are willing to adopt green cars in order to save the planet.
Hybrid cars - drawbacks
One of the main drawbacks when it comes to buying a hybrid car is the fact that these can be more expensive, by around 5.000 USD to 10.000 USD compared to the fossil versions, although they do offer better fuel consumption and may be subject to tax exemptions.
Battery replacement costs can be fairly high, although not as high as for a full electric vehicle, at 1.000 to 6.000 USD.
Hybrid cars can have higher maintenance costs and are more difficult to repair, as not all mechanics are well-prepared to service them in case these cars need a fix.
Also, they aren't exactly completely green, as they do require a fossil-based engine to run alongside the electric motor at higher speeds or when you press the pedal more aggressively, which in turn releases some emissions.
All things considered, hybrid cars are still the best choice for most people today who want to adopt cleaner alternatives to fossil cars, as the charging infrastructure for EVs isn't yet properly developed in most places.
Also, hybrid cars offer more range compared to EVs and allow for faster refills, which means that you shouldn't worry about running dry or spend a lot of time waiting for your car to juice up.
Any thoughts?