Hybrid cars have recently become especially popular, they apply to all classes of cars, many manufacturers bring these cars to the mass level. Hybrids are now showing impressive performance. We have compiled a rating hybrid carsmobiles, which will allow amateurs to choose a vehicle universal machineswhich are suitable for both city and off-road driving.
A hybrid car is a car that uses more than just conventional engine internal combustionoperating on gasoline or diesel, but also an alternative source in the form of an electric motor.
The second engine starts to run at low revs, which can significantly save fuel, for example, with busy traffic on the road. Also, hybrid cars are more environmentally friendly, which makes them more popular.
Advantages and disadvantages of hybrids
The advantages of hybrid cars:
- A noticeable reduction in fuel consumption. Hybrid fuel consumption is up to 30% lower than conventional vehicles. Burning less fuel at the same time reduced the toxicity of the hybrids. It turns out that hybrid cars are more economical and environmentally friendly compared to analogs that are equipped only with internal combustion engines;
- Reducing noise during operation;
- Long service life of brake system parts;
- Hybrid cars, in comparison with electric vehicles, have a long range and are versatile in daily use. The hybrid does not need to be charged from the mains; it can be refueled with gasoline. After the fuel is burned, part of the energy is collected in the battery, thanks to which the electric motor starts working. An additional source of power for charging the battery is the conversion of the kinetic energy of a moving car into electricity;
- Also, hybrids have a number of design solutions and auxiliary systems for great savings and reduction of harmful emissions: start-stop system, etc.
The disadvantages of hybrid vehicles include a high initial cost, as well as some difficulties in the repair and maintenance of these models. Another disadvantage is the possible critical discharge of the battery and its quick failure at large temperature drops.
Rating of hybrid cars 2018-2019
The modern car market offers a large selection of hybrid representatives. Choosing the right vehicle among all the variety is not easy. We present to your attention the top hybrid cars, among which you will find representatives of most global brands.
Best Hybrid Hatchback - Chevrolet Volt Hybrid
Chevrolet Volt Hybrid. This car is a front wheel drive four-seater hatchback. The main advantage of this model is that electric motors with a capacity of 149 hp enough for 60 km when driving around the city, without fuel consumption and while maintaining characteristics. However, large disadvantage of Chevrolet Volt is great value.
If you are interested in the future of this and other vehicles of this brand, we recommend that you read the latest Chevrolet news.
One of the best hybrid cars - Ford Fusion Hybrid
Ford fusion Hybrid. Have this cara well-thought-out athletic form and a spacious interior. The hybrid Ford Fusion has a four-cylinder 2.5-liter hybrid engine. it a good option an electric car with a hybrid engine, if you want to buy affordable carand save fuel in the future. It can be called a mid-size sedan for the whole family.
Ford Fusion Hybrid updated electric amplifier steering wheel, multi-link suspension with stabilizer lateral stability - the car passes skids well. Hybrid handling is stable. Thanks to the suspension, shocks are muffled, and the movement of the car is controlled by the driver.
One of the best hybrid sedans - Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota Camry Hybrid. This model gives not only good fuel economy, but also has a high level of safety. The car has an attractive design, an engine capacity of 2.5 liters and high tech... The interior uses high-quality materials that give the interior comfort. Toyota Camry accelerates from zero to one hundred kilometers in 7.4 seconds, which is an excellent result for a hybrid car. The official fuel consumption of the car is 4.4 liters per 100 km on the highway and 4.6 liters in the combined cycle.
Best Hybrid Estate - Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid
Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid. The hybrid setup includes a 2.4-liter diesel engine power of 215 hp and a strong electric motor, which is enough for about 50 km of movement. It is important that the car has the function all-wheel drive: When you press a button on the passenger compartment control panel, the electronics synchronize the action of the engine and the electric motor to rotate the wheels simultaneously.
Legendary Japanese hybrid - Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius. This model is known as an economical hybrid car at an affordable cost, therefore it is in high demand. The hybrid is equipped with a 1.8-liter petrol engine with 98 hp. Together with a pair of electric motors, the power reaches 134 hp. In the city, a car consumes approximately 8 liters of fuel, and outside the city - 5.5 liters.
The principle of operation of the car determines a high level of control automation. The on-board computer independently adjusts the parameters of the engine, ensuring optimal battery charging.
One of the best hybrid cars 2018-2019 - Honda Insight III
Honda Insight III. It is a front-wheel drive hybrid sedan that combines solid design, modern technical solutions and rich equipment. In motion, this car is driven by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and two electric motors. The total power is 153 hp. It should be noted that one motor closely interacts with the internal combustion engine and plays the role of a generator, and the second turns the axle wheels at low speeds. On high speeds connects gas engine... Thus, a significant part of the time a car drives on an electric motor.
In order to have the latest information on this and other vehicles of this brand, we advise you to read the car news from Honda.
Most Economical Hybrid Vehicle by Fuel Consumption - Hyundai Ionid Hybrid
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid. The car is based on a new platform. In the future, it is planned to produce many hybrid cars and electric cars on its basis. The new Hyundai has an engine capacity of 1.6 liters and a total power of 141 hp. To assist the driver, there are two operating modes - Sport and ECO. The car accelerates to 100 km in 10.8 seconds. It is the most fuel efficient hybrid vehicle. Maximum speed model is 185 km per hour, and the consumption is approximately 3.4 liters. The car has the most balanced suspension, tuned steering and an almost silent interior.
Comfortable American hybrid - Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. This is a large, comfortable and roomy sedan, which has an expressive design and a high-quality interior with modern technology and rich equipment. According to experts, the car is well suited for those customers who like free space. The hybrid unit includes a 1.8 liter engine and a pair of electric motors. The average fuel consumption of this model is 5.2 liters per 100 km. The car has ten airbags and a rear view camera, which makes it safer.
TOP hybrid SUVs
Best Hybrid SUV - Lexus RX 450h
Lexus RX 450h. It is a reliable crossover that has a solid and solid build. Outwardly, this model is not much different from its predecessors. But he has elements of personality. The crossover is equipped with head optics with LED filling. In addition, a sports body kit is available for this car. Thanks to him, the appearance of the hybrid becomes more aggressive. The car interior is made of genuine leather in light and dark colors. This model has a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine. The total output of the hybrid power plant is 299 hp. Lexus can accelerate in 6-7 seconds to 100 km per hour. Fuel consumption is 9-10 liters per 100 km. This car rightfully claims to be in.
Korean hybrid crossover - KIA Niro
A car should not be a luxury, but a daily means of transportation, this truth has long won the hearts of drivers. To realize this dream of Ostap Bender, the owners make great efforts to minimize the cost of their beloved "friend". You can influence something yourself: drive carefully - it will be less, buy high-quality parts - you will have to change less often, refuel with expensive, high-quality gasoline - engine breakdowns are minimized. But the most expensive part of the operation is still refueling. Prices do not depend on us. That is why the hybrid engine in cars is now beginning to gain great popularity.
There are several reasons for this, and motorists can be divided into two camps. For the former, the main and most common reason is the price of fuel. We do not live in Venezuela, Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, where gasoline is cheaper than water. And the four-wheeled “friend” should be “fed” regularly. For the latter, the protection of the natural environment and everything connected with it is vital.
Why did the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating such engines come about? Consider the principle of operation, the advantages and disadvantages of cars powered by, and. Internal combustion engines are more powerful, but at the same time, developers cannot completely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions into the environment. This factor is a reduction in world oil reserves and, as a result, a regular and systematic rise in the price of such an energy source.
Electricity has its undeniable advantages, first of all, it is environmentally friendly and cheaper. But at the same time, electric vehicles currently cannot become very popular, since, figuratively speaking, “infrastructure” is needed: stations for charging cars, specialized service stations focused on the repair and maintenance of this type of engine. But the most important factor is the power, which is significantly inferior to internal combustion engines. And as a result, the speed is poor (there are simply not enough "horses" under the hood).
These factors have prompted manufacturers to consider alternatives and develop hybrid vehicles that combine the advantages and negate the disadvantages of the two vehicles.
Features of hybrid cars
The developers approached this issue in a comprehensive manner. In this case, several tasks were solved: reduced to a minimum, which has a positive effect on the ecological situation not only in cities, but also on the Earth as a whole; due to the combination of two types of energy, operating costs are reduced; disadvantages of the electric motor ( low power) are offset by the advantages of gasoline upward. In fact, such cars in high-speed mode do not differ from gasoline. Unlike the ones described above, vehicles with a hybrid engine have two power sources, consist of two power units and several elements:
- Fuel tank. Gasoline, in contrast, has a high energy density. To understand, let's give an example - the energy of 1 liter of gasoline is equated to a storage battery weighing about 450 kg;
- Gasoline engine. They are generally smaller and have been upgraded with the latest technology, which significantly reduces the overall weight of the vehicle and increases power;
- An electric motor - not only more powerful, but also designed to work in conjunction with a gasoline one. It can also work as a generator to charge the battery;
- Batteries, the main function of which is to store energy for the electric motor, which, in turn, can mutually feed them;
- Generator - working on the principle of an electric motor, but for generating electricity.
- Transmissions - functions are almost the same as those of conventional cars. But at the same time, depending on the type of hybrid, they can be different. Transmission toyota brands characterized by the branching of power flows. In this case, the motor operates in the most comfortable range of loads and rpm. This, in turn, contributes to significant fuel savings.
Principle of operation
The word hybrid itself means crossing. In our case, two different technologies and two energy sources are combined to accomplish one task - moving forward. The work of a hybrid engine is that the internal combustion engine rotates and provides energy to the electric motor, which, in turn, rotates the transmission, which helps its "partner" to work optimally, creating additional force. As a result, sharp fluctuations and loads are eliminated, and productivity is significantly increased.
There are several options:
Parallel... The gasoline engine is powered by fuel tank, and the electric motor from the batteries. As a result, both motors rotate the transmission, which in turn drives the wheels.
Microhybrid. This principle was developed by Toyota. The Hybrid runs at low speeds and starts exclusively thanks to the electric motor. When switching to a higher speed, the internal combustion engine (internal combustion engine) is connected. But at the same time, during ascents, driving on difficult sections of the road (sand, mud), an increase in other loads electrical engine additionally powered by a battery for parallel operation and increased traction. All this is electronically controlled and does not require driver intervention.
Medium hybrid. Such a car with a hybrid engine has its own characteristics - driving on an electric motor is impossible. But at the same time, electric traction significantly increases work efficiency. heat engine due to the generation of a voltage slightly higher than the batteries can give, which, in turn, increases the power of the main engine.
Full hybrid. In this option, electricity comes first. The movement goes only at his expense. The high-voltage battery is charged thanks to recuperation. The existing separate clutch between the two types of engine provides separation of these systems. As a result, the DVS is connected only if necessary.
Separated. Has an engine-generator and gasoline. Across planetary gear the torque is transmitted to. Part of the power is used directly to drive the car, while the other is stored in the high-voltage battery in the form of pure electrical energy.
Consistent. The work of a hybrid engine is that a gasoline engine drives a generator, which charges the batteries, and they, in turn, provide energy to the electric motor, which turns the transmission and, as a result, the wheels.
Benefits
If you analyze the prices for hybrids, you will notice that they are more expensive than the usual cars. Should you be afraid of "biting" amounts? It is necessary, first of all, to analyze what you get in the end when buying such an option. And only after that they decide whether they are ready to invest capital (even if it is a purchase on credit), which will eventually turn into daily savings. And the more gasoline prices rise, the more your net income will become.
But let's start with something else. A car with a hybrid engine helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, which are reduced by ten times. As a result, city life becomes more comfortable and you contribute to a healthier planet. In addition, save on fines for exceeding air emissions.
The batteries are recharged from the on-board power plant; as a result, an external source is not needed for constant charging, as in electric motors. Essentially, you are acquiring an additional source of energy, which increases the efficiency of the combustion engine.
Thanks to the development of experienced specialists, the weight of the gasoline engine is significantly reduced, as a result, and the total weight of the car. Every car enthusiast knows what this means. Gasoline consumption per 100 km "Oka" can not be compared with. And it depends primarily on the mass. As a result, there is a comprehensive savings due to refueling and the use of electricity.
For the manufacture of all parts, including the body, lightweight materials are used. At the same time, they are strong and reliable: made of metals (aluminum alloys, magnesium), as well as carbon fiber. For general information: only 56 kg weighs the Insight engine with a volume of 1 liter, while the power is quite decent (67 horsepower) and rpm (5 700). The "help" of the electric motor at the start allows acceleration from 0 up to 100 km / h.
In such cars, the need for a gearbox has disappeared. There is an automatic change in the traction force of the drive wheels, which is provided by the electric motor.
Thanks to the constant development of designers, aerodynamics are improved. This is what all designers are fighting for. It is the resistance to the force of air and wind that does not allow to “eat up” significant resources of the inner “heart”, multiplied by help parallel system energy.
Another resource for saving is the installation of special, more rigid, in comparison with conventional tires. They are inflated under relatively high pressure. This helps to reduce the resistance of the road surface.
Prospects for the development of this area of \u200b\u200bmechanical engineering are possible only with an integrated approach: development of lightweight bodies, capacious, but at the same time compact batteries (so that they do not take up much space under the hood); improvement to easier, faster and more affordable charging rechargeable batteries; improving the system of "re-use" of energy.
Having considered all the features of a car with a hybrid engine, one can come to the conclusion: of course, this is not perpetual motion machine, which every motorist and fighters for the cleanliness of the environment dream of. Rather, it is another step towards the modernization of motors, a struggle to save depleting natural resources. But they help to significantly save money at every gas station. Therefore, if you are faced with choosing a new car, think about the fact that buying such a model will bring significant bonuses in the end: in fact, every hundred kilometers of travel will "save" additional money in your wallet compared to internal combustion engines.
A hybrid car is not a new invention. The first step towards creating hybrid vehiclewas made in 1665 when Ferdinand Verbiest, a Jesuit priest, began work on plans to build a simple four wheeled vehicle that could be steam or horse-drawn. The first cars with a hybrid engine appeared at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Moreover, some developers managed to move from projects to small-scale production. Starting in 1897 and over the next 10 years, the French Compagnie Parisienne des Voitures Electriques released a batch of electric vehicles and cars with hybrid engines. In 1900, General Electric designed a hybrid car with a 4-cylinder gasoline engine. And from the assembly line Walker Vehicle Company of Chicago "hybrid" trucks left until 1940.
Of course, these were all just prototypes and small-scale cars. However, now an acute shortage of oil and the economic crisis has spurred the development of hybrid engines. Now let's take a closer look at what a hybrid engine is and what is the use of it? A hybrid engine is a system of two engines - an electric and a gasoline engine. Depending on the operating modes, both gasoline and electric can be turned on simultaneously or separately. This process is controlled by a powerful computer, which decides what should work right now. So when moving along the tracks, the gasoline engine turns on, since the battery on the track will not last for a long time. If the car is moving in city mode, then an electric motor is already used here, both are working during acceleration or heavy loads. The battery is charged while the petrol engine is running. Such an engine, even taking into account the fact that the system uses a gasoline engine, allows you to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere by 90% and at the same time the consumption of gasoline in the city is significantly reduced (only a gasoline engine works on the highway, so there is no savings there). 
Let's start with how the car starts to move. When starting the movement and at low speeds, only the battery and electric motors are involved. The energy stored in the battery goes to the energy center, which, in turn, directs it to the electric motors, which make the car move smoothly and quietly. After gaining speed, the internal combustion engine is connected to work, and the moment on the drive wheels is supplied simultaneously from the electric motors and the internal combustion engine. In this case, part of the energy of the internal combustion engine goes to the generator, and now it feeds the electric motors, and surplus of its energy is given to the battery, which has lost part of the energy supply at the beginning of movement. When driving in normal mode, only the front-wheel drive, in all others - complete. In the acceleration mode, the moment to the wheels comes mainly from the gasoline engine, and the electric motors, if necessary to increase the dynamics, complement the internal combustion engine. One of the most interesting points is braking. The electronic “brains” of the car decide for themselves when to use the hydraulic braking systemand when regenerative braking, favoring the latter. That is, at the moment the brake pedal is pressed, they transfer the electric motors to the “generator” mode of operation, and they create a braking moment on the wheels, generating electricity and feeding the battery through the energy center. This is the highlight of the "hybrid". 
IN classic cars the braking energy is completely lost, leaving as heat through brake discs and other details. The use of braking energy is especially effective in urban conditions, when you often have to brake at traffic lights. Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) integrates and manages all active safety systems.
One of the first successful cars equipped with a hybrid engine, which went to the masses, was the Toyota Prius developed by Toyota, which consumes 3.2 liters of gasoline per 100 km (in the city). Toyota has also released an SUV with a hybrid Lexus RX400h engine, which costs between $ 68,000 and $ 77,000, depending on the configuration. It should be noted that the first versions of Toyota Prius were inferior to cars of the same class both in speed and in power, but Lexus RX400h is no longer inferior to its classmates either in speed or in power. 
The world's leading automotive concerns have also turned their attention to hybrid engines as a solution to the problem of fuel economy and environmental pollution. This is how the Volvo Group announced the creation of a hybrid engine for trucks, tractors, semi-trailers and buses. The company's developers are counting on their brainchild to get 35% fuel savings.
With all this, I must say that hybrid cars "with a bang", so far, went only in North America (Canada and the USA). And in America, the demand for them is growing more and more, since cars that consumed a lot of fuel were popular there until recent years, and since fuel began to rise sharply and abruptly, the Americans sharply thought about saving it and how exactly cars with hybrid engines. In Europe, they reacted calmly to the appearance of hybrid engines, since there they are driven by an economical and more environmentally friendly diesel engine than a gasoline engine. Unlike the USA, more than 50% of cars in Europe are equipped with diesel engines. In addition diesel cars cheaper than hybrid, simpler and more reliable. After all, everyone knows that the more complex the system, the less reliable it is! And precisely because of its complexity and capriciousness, there are practically no hybrid cars in the post-Soviet space. Official dealers they are not brought here. And any owner of such a car with us will inevitably face the problem of a service station. We do not have a service station that would deal with hybrid cars. And you can't fix such a machine yourself!
Installation of hybrid power plants automakers are pursuing several goals. First, it is a reduction in carbon dioxide (СО₂) emissions, which is the source of the greenhouse effect on the planet and leads to global warming. Secondly, the reduction of fuel costs incurred by car owners. And thirdly, an increase in the dynamics of acceleration of the car thanks to two sources of torque.
The first two advantages are achieved due to the possibility of moving on electric traction (especially in modes when the efficiency of the internal combustion engine is low), the mode of braking energy recuperation (braking by an electric motor that operates in the generator mode, generating electricity to recharge the battery), acceleration using the internal combustion engine and an electric motor, switching off the internal combustion engine at short stops (start-stop systems).
Structurally, all this happens in different ways, so the effect obtained is also different.
Classification of hybrids
The generally accepted classification of hybrids implies three types of them: sequential, parallel and serial-parallel.
- a design in which an internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) drives only a generator. The internal combustion engine in this scheme operates in the maximum fuel economy mode. The electricity generated by the generator is fed either to the traction motor or to the battery. The electric motor in this scheme transmits the required torque to the wheels through the transmission, and in the braking mode it works as a generator, recharging the battery (braking energy recovery mode). Such hybrids are marked with the abbreviation REEV (range-extended electric vehicle) or EREV (extended-range electric vehicle).
This design has its own advantages and disadvantages. The pros of this scheme are - full time job ICE in the most economical mode, ease of control and no complex transmission. Of the minuses, it should be noted the low efficiency of the mechanism for transferring energy from the internal combustion engine to the driving wheels of the car. This design is used in the BMW i3 REx, the Cadillac ELR sports coupe and the Chevrolet Volt 2015 model yearas well as in buses with hybrid powertrains, such as the Toyota Coaster Hybrid.
Parallel design armed with an internal combustion engine and a traction motor, which are connected to the driving wheels of the car. The electric motor here is powered by a rechargeable battery. Since the torque from input shaft can be directly transferred to the wheels of a car, the efficiency of such a hybrid is higher. This circuit uses one or two electric motors (generator + traction motor). In the first case, the electric motor can operate in both the generator mode and the traction motor mode. But in such a scheme, the transmission design is rather complex, because the torque must be transmitted to the wheels from both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. In addition, the internal combustion engine cannot operate in economy mode all the time. This design of power units has honda models - Civic Hybrid, Insight and CR-Z.
Series-parallel design The hybrid powertrain combines both of the above schemes. Thanks to this combined scheme, it was possible to obtain the advantages of both systems. In this case, there is both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, and depending on the driving conditions, the car can go either only on electric traction (up to 1.5-2.0 km), or only on traction from the internal combustion engine, or the wheels can also receive driving energy from ICE, and from an electric motor. Have toyota in power toyota installation The Hybrid System uses a planetary divider of power flow (torque), which comes from an internal combustion engine and can be flexibly changed, transferring part of the energy to the generator, and part to the wheels of the car. The electricity generated in this case can immediately go both to power the power electric motor and to recharge the batteries. This design is implemented in a number of Toyota models, including Prius, Yaris Hybrid, Auris Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid, as well as in Lexus models - CT 200h, IS 300h, GS 300h, GS 450h.
The combined hybrid is also used in all-wheel drive models... But in them, the wheels of the front axle are driven by the above combined systemas in front-wheel drive models, and a separate electric motor is used to drive the rear axle wheels. This design is much simpler, without a complex transmission with cardan gears and reducers. It is used in all-wheel drive SUVs, for example in Toyota Highlander Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid.
Rechargeable hybrids
Previously, it was believed that hybrids can only recharge themselves when the electric motor is operating in generator mode (when braking energy is recovered, when driving in engine braking mode, etc.). But Toyota was one of the first to go further and make the Prius rechargeable. These hybrids are called plug-in hybrid (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, PHEV). They have high-capacity batteries on board (Toyota has lithium-ion instead of nickel-metal hydride), which can be recharged from the household power supply. Therefore, the plug-in hybrid can only travel on electric traction over long distances - not 1.5–2.0 km. and from 20 to 80 km or more.
The critical situation with the environment and the constant rise in fuel prices make transport manufacturers look for new solutions. Internal combustion engines (ICE) are improved, modified and "mixed" with electric motors. Why this is done, how a hybrid engine works, we will consider in today's publication.
The idea of \u200b\u200bconnecting two units (an internal combustion engine and an electric motor) is not new. In 1897, the French company Parisienne des Voitures Electriques began producing cars with hybrid engines, and a little later, the American General Electric released the first hybrid with a gasoline four-cylinder engine. But then such an innovation turned out to be economically inexpedient. Fuel was cheap, and the power of the hybrid car was inferior to that of traditional models. But times have changed. Fuel rises in price, the environmental situation is deteriorating. Mixed cars power units became relevant and began to gain popularity.
In simple words about the complex
What is a hybrid engine? A hybrid engine is a system that consists of two interconnected units: electric and gasoline. They can work both separately and simultaneously. Manages this system on-board computer car. He decides, depending on the driving mode, which type of power unit needs to be used at a particular time.
For driving around the city, when the engine does not require high power generation, an electric motor is used. When driving on country roads, the computer turns off the electric motor and activates the fuel unit.
In a mixed driving mode, when the car engine is working under load with periodic accelerations and stops, the two units work in tandem. And during work fuel engine, electric charging is in progress. Deserve special attention.
Saving energy in hybrid engines
It is known that a huge amount of energy is spent on the movement of a car. In this regard, a natural question arises: how an electric motor, even under low load conditions, can work for a long time without an additional trailer with batteries. To understand how a car's electric motor works, you need to follow the entire process from starting to stop.
When the car starts off or moves at low speeds, all the work is done by an electric motor, which is powered by a battery. Further, his task is to accelerate the car to the maximum speed possible for an electric motor. After that, the computer gives a command to turn on the fuel engine. In this case, the internal combustion engine gives part of the energy to the generator, which replaces the battery and continues to supply the electric motor instead, charging the battery in parallel. At the same time, the car runs on two power units at the same time.
When driving at an average speed, the electric motor is turned off, only the internal combustion engine works, replenishing the battery's energy supply. With an increase in the load on the internal combustion engine, an electric motor again comes to his aid. But electricity is replenished not only due to iCE operation. Brake mechanism A hybrid vehicle is designed in such a way that the energy generated during braking is converted into electrical energy and also goes to power the electric motor. This braking is called "regenerative".
The algorithm described above describes the general picture of the operation of a hybrid power unit of a car. Today, there are three types of such motors: serial, parallel and mixed. 
Sequential hybrid scheme
The principle of operation of such a scheme can be considered the simplest of the hybrids. Internal combustion engine in this type is an auxiliary element and is designed to operate the generator. The generator, receiving energy from the internal combustion engine, converts it into electrical energy and powers the electric motor, which sets the car in motion.
Such a scheme is usually used in low-power cars (small cars). But the battery used has a large capacity, with the ability to charge from a regular power supply. The large capacity of the battery allows you to minimize the use of the internal combustion engine, that is, the car can be driven by an electric motor, which is powered only by the battery. The Chevrolet Volt is one car model that uses a sequential hybrid design.
Parallel circuit of a hybrid car
The principle of operation of the parallel circuit is that the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are installed in such a way that it becomes possible to use them both together and separately. But still, the main function of the electric motor in such a scheme is to create additional power for the internal combustion engine during acceleration. In addition, the electric motor acts as a starter and generator. With this scheme, batteries do not require additional recharging, they have enough energy generated while driving.
Honda Insight, Honda civic Hybrid, BMW Active Hybrid 7, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid - models with a parallel circuit of the hybrid engine.
Series-parallel hybrid circuit
In this scheme, the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are connected by a planetary gearbox, with the help of which the power from both engines is transmitted to the drive wheels.
A mixed circuit differs from a parallel one by the presence of a generator that generates energy for the electric motor.
Toyota Prius, Lexus RX 450h, Ford escape Hybrid is a complete hybrid.
Positive aspects of hybrid engines
- The main advantage of hybrids is their economy. The minimum fuel economy is 20%, which is quite a tangible advantage in the face of rising prices.
- Sharing two engines reduces CO2 emissions.
- Excellent driving performance, which have been achieved due to the rational accumulation and subsequent redistribution of the power generated jointly by the two engines.
- Compared to a traditional car, the hybrid has a significant range, which means it can continue driving even with an empty tank.
- The characteristics of hybrid engines are completely identical to traditional models with internal combustion engines, contrary to the prevailing stereotypes, and taking into account other advantages, they sometimes even surpass them.
- The electric motors are virtually silent, which adds to the comfort of the vehicle.
- Compared to an electric vehicle, a hybrid's battery is charged by the fuel engine, which increases its range.
- The car is refueled with the same gasoline as traditional cars.
Disadvantages of hybrids
- The high cost of the car.
- Car maintenance is expensive. It is unlikely that it will be possible to repair such a machine on your own, and it is very difficult to find qualified craftsmen. There will also be guaranteed problems with components.
- Changes in climatic temperatures have a bad effect on the battery and lead to their self-discharge.
Externally, cars with hybrid powertrains do not differ from the classic gasoline counterparts. Of course, if models of cars with hybrid engines had the same price as analogs with internal combustion engines, and maintenance was not difficult, hardly anyone would refuse such a car. But at the moment, the reality is that the difference in the price of a hybrid and an analogue is on average $ 4,000. Even if we take into account all the advantages of such cars, including fuel economy, the difference will still be disproportionate. If there are no breakdowns, and the mileage is significant, the car will pay off in best case in about five years. This state of affairs is not encouraging. But as they say: "How many people - so many opinions", so the choice always remains with a specific person.
