HYBRIDCAR

Vehicle Hybridization

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All of us cannot tolerate the continuing rise in gas prices. Customers today are looking for alternatives to save on fuel costs. Fortunately hybrid vehicles have given us the option to save gas and help the environment. Hybrids are no longer restricted to a conventional 4 door sedan. Hybrid SUVs are also out on the market today to meet the demands of the customers.

Ever since the Toyota Prius came out, other automobile companies have devoted their research in developing their own hybrid technology. Ford and Honda have their own hybrid system incorporated into new models. Hybrid vehicles are expensive for now but development in the future will make them more accessible and affordable for the general public. The technology is still going through development to be able to compete with the fuel dominated automobile industry.

Different Types of Hybrids

Hybrids have different types. Their structures may differ in some ways but generally they have a rechargeable battery on board or an electric motor that works with an internal combustion engine to move the vehicle. In other vehicles they can operate a rechargeable battery alone but there are many limitations to this type which has prevented it from being widely manufactured. These vehicles are primarily moved by an electric motor and only use the diesel engine for high speeds.

There are different degrees of hybridization. Full or strong hybrids that can run just by using an engine, its batteries are a combination of both. Examples of this are the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape. These two vehicles can move by battery power alone and be assisted by their diesel engines when needed.

Power assist hybrid uses its engine for primary power, coupled with an electric motor to boost torque. The electric motor is connected to a power train and is mounted between the engine and the transmission.

Mild hybrids are conventional vehicles with huge starter motors. This allows the engine to be turned off during idle periods and coasting but still enable the vehicle to start quickly. Most people do not consider this type to be a hybrid but it can still save fuel costs. It’s just not as efficient as full hybrids.

Hybrid vehicles are perfect for suburban environments where there is a lot of traffic. If you really look at it the most important is not horsepower but gas mileage.

Toyota Camry Hybrid

By:  Lestari

Toyota Camry Hybrid

There are many hybrid vehicles on the market today. Unfortunately due to the unique technology they don’t come cheap, developments and experiments with high powered engines made them more expensive. The perks provided by luxury cars come at a price. If being environmental friendly is this heavy on the wallet then why buy?

Hybrid vehicles may be an instant shock to the wallet but they are beneficial in the long run. Apart from SUVs and luxury vehicles there are also compact four doors that may provide an alternative for the average Joe. Following the success of the Camry, Toyota has decided to give the model a fresh new trim by turning it into a hybrid. Using Toyota’s latest hybrid technology, the Camry may provide to be an alternative to expensive hybrids.

Camry facelift

The original Camry didn’t give its owner many problems. It’s priced right, big and powerful enough for the average Joe. With soaring gas prices, more people are willing to support and pay for hybrid technology. This prompted Toyota to hybridize its Camry to give customers a break from expensive sedans and Sports Utility vehicle hybrids.

Like other hybrids today, the Camry is equipped with a gasoline engine and electric motor combo. It has a 192 horsepower and runs at 38 miles per gallon. It still has the same accessories as of the previous Camry like alloy wheels, daytime headlights, power heated mirrors, six CD changer on the dashboard, eight way power and eight stereo speakers. The CD changer is compatible with a mp3.

It’s still equipped with standard safety features such as airbags in the front, on the seat mounts for side impact, at the side curtain, and for the driver’s knee.

The hybrid Camry has a push button start system, Smart Entry keyless locking, power door locks, anti-lock out windows and the air-conditioning relies on the electric motor. It also has anti-lock breaking system and Toyota’s Vehicle Dynamics Integrated System. The latter has traction and stability control with other electronic devices for vehicle control.

The Camry may not look as stylish as other luxury sedans and SUVs.

Parts of the Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Vehicles

By:  Lestari

Gasoline Eectric Hybrid Car

The typical gasoline powered car contains a combustion engine, fuel tank, and transmission, whereas with the gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, it contains the following parts:

Gasoline Engine. The engine of a hybrid car is relatively smaller than its gasoline-only counterpart. This is because of two reasons: (1) the car doesn’t require a big engine since there it uses another source of power, (2) a bigger engine means larger displacement, heavier weight, and poor fuel economy; since most hybrid cars are designed for maximum fuel efficiency, the engine has to be small. (Diesel engines for diesel-electric hybrid vehicles.)

Fuel Tank. The fuel tank is the energy storage device of the gasoline engine. The size of the fuel tank on a hybrid car may be reduced since the car has to accommodate the size of the batteries.

Transmission. Most hybrid cars use the same transmission as a conventional car.

Batteries. The batteries of a hybrid car are the energy storage device for the electric motor. The batteries perform 2 functions: they send energy to the electric motor and store energy that is being captured by the generator.

Electric motor. A hybrid electric motor is very sophisticated. It can perform as a motor as well as a generator. This means, the electric motor can draw the energy from the battery to accelerate the car or to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration. The electric motor can also act as a generator by slowing the car down and store the energy back to the battery.

Generator. The generator of a hybrid car is much the same as the electric motor but it only acts to produce electric power. Generators are mostly used on series hybrids.

Hybrid electric cars can be parallel or series. Parallel hybrid cars can use the electric motor or gasoline engine to drive the transmission which turns the wheels. Or, it can use both the electric motor and the gasoline engine to drive the transmission and turn the wheels.

Series hybrids, as opposed to parallel hybrids never directly use the gasoline engine to power the vehicle. Instead, the engine turns the generator which either powers the electric motor that drives the transmission or changes the batteries.