Hybrid Cars: What Makes Them Special?

By: Ricardo S. Lazo for Automart.PH

Hybrid cars started in the 1900s under Jacob Lohner Company, which manufactured the first design. Let Automart.PH brief you about the basics of what makes them special.

Hybrid or gas-electric vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor, which uses energy lodged in batteries. They work concurrently to create the most optimal driving condition. Many hybrids work on a combination of electricity and conventional gasoline. Some can even be plugged into wall outlets (PHEVs) to charge the batteries on their own. Others simply rely on the gasoline engine to charge them, together with regenerative braking. 
 

How do they work?

Series hybrid vehicles utilize electric power alone to power the car. A gasoline engine is still present, but this only acts as a generator which charges the battery. The gasoline engine is not directly connected to the wheels, and thus, cannot move the car.

In parallel hybrids, the gasoline engine and the electric motor work hand in hand to power the wheels. The electric motor enhances the performance of the car while gasoline engine does the brunt of the work. Parallel hybrids, unlike series hybrids, can be powered directly by the gasoline engine alone, by the electric motor alone, or both. 
 

What makes them special?

A hybrid car is special because it runs on two types of fuel: gasoline and electricity. Hybrid vehicles can be driven entirely in electric mode at low speed, while Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) can even be driven longer distances at higher speeds.

The extra power generated by the electric motor and the battery propels auxiliary loads that result in less gas consumption and carbon emission. Range anxiety, or the fear of not finding a charging station during trips which is common for owners of fully electric vehicles, is also eliminated as when the battery runs out of electricity, the car will simply switch to using gasoline power once again, and a trip to conventional gasoline stations is the only thing needed at all times.

Each time you apply the brakes, regenerative braking also happens, and kinetic energy then transforms into electrical energy, charging the batteries. Between hybrids and conventional ICE powered cars, hybrids also tend to be more fuel efficient, and quiet.

Some countries also conduct government incentive programs when purchasing a hybrid like special discounts or tax incentives. This unfortunately is not yet available in the Philippines, but talks of such are underway.
 

Final Thoughts

If you want to have a brand new car that offers fuel saving and great performance at a reasonable price, then a hybrid car is a great option. Hybrid electric vehicles are designed to give a quality drive. With two alternating sources of power the performance of these cars result in outstanding efficiency.

Hybrid cars are special as they are powered by two types of fuel, and are transitory vehicles from using gasoline, to the future's possible full electric vehicle world. Hybrids are an alternative, for now, while full electric vehicle options are still limited, are still out of reach, financially for the common people. Not to mention the fact that owning a full electric is still not too practical in the country, for example, with limited charging infrastructure.

Many are already considering a hybrid car due to better fuel efficiency, and eco-friendly vehicle with fewer carbon emissions plus a quieter and smoother drive like the Toyota Corolla Altis Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Nissan Kicks e-Power, and Mazda CX-30, among others. So test drive one today, and find out for yourself, the special feel of a hybrid car.

Should you be not too keen on emerging technologies such as hybrids, worry not, as there are still many conventional cars that are available in the market. We have many affordable and fuel-efficient high quality, low-priced Automart Certified Used Vehicles just for you. Enjoy the look and feel of a brand new car without breaking the bank with meticulously inspected and refurbished units, which also come with warranties.

Automart.PH offers a wide selection of used cars at great prices, ranging from compact sedans to large SUVs, and even crossovers.

If you are looking for the finest used vehicles, check out Automart Certified Vehicles. These cars have been meticulously inspected, detailed, and restored so that they look, and feel like new again, without the hefty price tag of a brand new unit. They also come with a 5-day, money-back guarantee, and a 1 year, or 10,000 Km warranty.

Content Editor Kyle Liong contributed to this story.