- Hybrid vehicles utilize both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.
- Bridges the gap between conventional and electric vehicles.
- 3 different hybrid car options -Mild hybrids, Full Hybrids, And Plug-in Hybrids.
With the reduction in Diesel engines on offer and stringent BS VI phase 2 kicking in from April 2023, carmakers are shifting towards EVs and various types of Hybrid cars. Maruti Grand Vitara strong hybrid, Innova Hycross, and the Honda City Hybrid are just some of the cars in the already growing scene of hybrid cars. EVs are the answer to cleaner and sustainable mobility, but the lack of infrastructure at scale limits their mass acceptance at the moment. This is where Hybrids take the 'Charge'.
With words buzzing around like Mild Hybrid, Full hybrid car in full swing, what exactly are these different types of hybrid cars? Read the details below for a better understanding.
What Is a Hybrid Car?
More people are shifting from conventional petrol and diesel cars to EVs and different Hybrids. While EVs run solely on the battery, Hybrids act as a bridge between Conventional internal combustion engines(ICE) and fully electric-powered vehicles.
Simply put, it uses an additional source of power to maximize the efficiency of the vehicle. The hybrid system is designed to use the most efficient power source for the current driving conditions and as a result, they emit less pollution and have more economical mileage than ICE vehicles minus the range anxiety of EVs. There are different types of hybrid cars -Mild, full, and Plug-In Hybrid cars. Let's see them one by one.
Mild Hybrid Car
Mild hybrids are the entry-level and also the least expensive entry into the world of Hybrid cars. It uses an internal combustion engine coupled with an electric motor and battery of generally 48 Volts for assisting the engine in some minor tasks which would have otherwise required the engine's involvement like the start and stop function.
It uses a belt alternator generator and regenerates power while braking known as Regenerative Braking. The motor is only used to assist the engine when required but It cannot work independently at any given point in time. Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the MG Hector use a Mild Hybrid System.
Some manufacturers use the battery to just power the electricals of the car and not actually assist the engine in driving. These are also labeled as mild hybrids.
- Cheapest entry for shifting to Hybrid Vehicle System.
- Additional Small battery with motor supplements the engine.
- The motor assists in the Start-Stop functionality and the battery also runs the electrical components.
- The motor and engine cannot work independently.
Also, Read- Strong Hybrid Cars Launched In 2022.
Full Hybrid
A full hybrid car uses both the combustion engine as well as the battery to run the car. The car can be powered by the engine, by the battery, or by both simultaneously. The internal control unit of the car accesses the current situation and switches between the ICE or the battery-run motor system.
The vehicle can be run both on fuel as well as electric power. For the initial starting of the car from complete rest, the battery-powered electric motor pushes the car for a silent and efficient drive. As the conditions demand more power for acceleration, the engine kicks in and the control system alternates between the two power sources to optimize the performance of the car.
The electric motor is built into the drivetrain of the car. So, It can run on Pure EV mode as well but only for short distances. The best output is obtained from letting the car decide the best combination for itself. A full Hybrid system for this reason offers greater efficiency and thus good mileage numbers. The New Maruti Grand Vitara and the Honda City Hybrid are examples of full hybrid cars. The former claims an ARAI mileage of 27.97 kmpl while the latter claims 26.5 km.
Full hybrid vehicles are considered to be the best option for users generally traveling long distances, providing range and economy simultaneously. Although the EV mode tends to reduce pollution, the battery is still charged from burning the fuel.
- Motor integrated into the drivetrain and also bigger battery.
- Can work independently as an electric vehicle, but only for a short distance.
- Great efficiency in long-range driving.
Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs)
The name is quite evident in itself. Plug-In hybrids are the ones that can be plugged into a power source to charge their electric batteries.
It is a significant upgrade over the Full Hybrid system and inches way closer to an all-electric vehicle. These have a bigger battery pack, good enough for a range of around 40 miles These vehicles have a conventional combustion engine that kicks in once the charge runs out. It works as both an electric vehicle and a fuel combustion engine vehicle.
They have low running costs, especially in urban driving. If you charge them regularly, there is no need to top up the fuel for an extended period of time, given that driving is within the range limits of the battery. There are very limited options for plug-in hybrids at the moment.The luxury SUVs Volvo XC90 and Porche Cayenne are two such examples.
These vehicles are generally heavier than full hybrids due to the bigger size of the battery. Also, an additional setup for charging being included makes them expensive when you go out for buying them.
- Plug-In hybrids are short-range EVs with a combustion engine as well.
- After the charge runs out, the combustion engine takes over.
- Excellent choice for urban driving within battery range limit.
- Expensive to buy.
Verdict- Hybrids are a better option than conventional petrol-diesel engines. They lower CO2 emissions and also increase the efficiency of engines. Due to the additional motor and battery packs, these are more expensive than conventional cars but offer great mileage. Till the charging network expands and the EVs start offering longer ranges, Hybrids are an excellent choice for lowering emissions while leaving the range anxiety at home.
