How do hybrid cars use gas and a battery?

Question

How do hybrid cars use gas and a battery?

Answer 1

A hybrid car is a car that is propelled by more than one energy source. Typically, when one is thinking of a hybrid car, it is usually a gasoline/electric hybrid, as that is what is currently available commercially. (There are diesel-electric concept cars (not in production), and there are diesel-electric locomotives, submarines, and heavy construction equipment...) Usually a dual-fuel vehicle, like a CNG-gasoline or LPG-gasoline vehicle isn't in the popular hybrid definition, but those are usually aftermarket-fitted anyways.

How a hybrid car works depends on the technology that a manufacturer decided to use to make it a hybrid. Not all hybrids are created equal.

As the lowest common denominator, hybrids usually have a larger electric motor (for starting the gasoline engine or for charging the hybrid battery), larger/additional hybrid battery pack to drive the electric motor, auto-stop (gasoline engine turns off at idle), regenerative braking (coasting or light braking will cause the motor to act as a generator, capturing some of that lost kinetic energy of wheel motion and storing it as electricity in the hybrid battery), improved fuel economy, and lower emissions.

More improved hybrid systems allow for tuning for higher performance (more power or acceleration), or for more fuel efficiency (usually through using a smaller engine, where the electric motors help out). On the more improved hybrid systems, you could see:

- ability to act as a standing generator to power equipment off-site

- additional peak power, by the electric motor assisting the gasoline engine as required (for acceleration or hill climbing, for example), similar to a turbo

- electric-only propulsion (short periods of the electric motors/hybrid battery alone powering the car, for low power requirements (such as coasting, driving on the level, low speeds)

- reduction in weight and ability to move accessories from belt-driven to electrically-driven (smaller wires needed)

The Ford/Mercury hybrid system and the Nissan hybrid system is fairly similar to the older Toyota THS system (seen on the 2001-2003 Prius). Toyota/Lexus hybrids are currently using the THS-II or HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) system. Honda is using their IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system. GM's newer hybrids are using their BAS (belt-alternator system) or two-mode system, while their older "hybrid" pickups are pretty much the lowest common denominator listed above.

For general overviews:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question26...

http://www.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car....

Specific to manufacturers, how it works (and use a Flash-enabled web browser!):

Toyota Prius (celebrating it's 10th anniversary in Dec. 2007!):

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2008/priu...

http://www.ecrostech.com/prius/original/...  (use the "Understanding the Prius" link)

Toyota hybrids in general:

http://www.hybridsynergydrive.com/en/qui...

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/environm...

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/environm...

Lexus hybrids in general:

http://www.hybridlexus.com/how/index.htm...

Ford Escape Hybrid:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/2008esc... (use the Hybrid Technology 01 button on bottom left)

Mercury Mariner Hybrid:

http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/mariner/t...

Mazda Tribute Hybrid:

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayP...

Honda Accord Hybrid (now discontinued):

http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-hybr...

(I couldn't find anything substantial on the NissanUSA.com site for the Altima hybrid's system. GM only notes that they have "hybrids" here: http://www.gm.com/explore/fuel_economy/h... )

and for the Honda Insight (which in general also covers the Honda IMA seen in the HCH and HAH above):

http://www.insightcentral.net/encycloped...

http://www.insightcentral.net/encycloped...

Answer 2

the gas engine assists the car on acceleration and charges batteries for city cruising they are a very fuel officiant vehicle

Answer 3

hybrid cars use both a battery and a gasoline engine. this is because the makers wanted to invent a car that was better for the environment. the car uses gas to power the car. but when the car comes to a stopping point like a red light or a stop sign the car actually turns off and the electric motor  takes over. when the car is shifted back into gear the gas motor takes over until the carcomes back to a stop. this could be very benificial in traffic jams or red lights that never turn green. this is why hybrid cars are more fuel efficient and put out less emissions. when the car comes to a stop the generator for thee battery is charged so it can take over. its just to create a more fuel efficient car and hey it saves you money to.

Answer 4

Hybrid electric cars have two motors, an electric motor/generator and a gas engine (internal combustion engine or ICE).  The battery pack, usually located in or near the trunk of the hybrid, powers the electric motor, while the gas powers the ICE.  

Depending on the type of hybrid, the two different motors can do different things.  In a full hybrid, the electric motor and ICE 'share' the workload when moving the vehicle.  Either one or both engines can be responsible for moving the car.  Most often, the electric motor is responsible for moving the vehicle at low speeds, while the majority of the load is taken over by the ICE at higher speeds.  

A mild hybrid (or assist hybrid) does not use the electric motor to move the car by itself.  Instead, it 'assists' the gas engine.

Some hybrid engines are combined in series, so that the two engines work together, or they are combined in parallel, in which case they can work separately to move the vehicle.  

Some other things to note:

The gas engine is usually shut off when the vehicle comes to or is approaching a stop.  That keeps the ICE from idling (getting 0 mpg) when stopped.

The battery pack is recharged by regenerative braking or by the ICE.

Answer 5

They have a normal gasoline motor and an electric motor, which can drive with a battery. The electric motor is good for short distances and the gasoline motor for long distance. A modern diesel motor uses less energy and is much more efficient then any hybrid or other solution at that time. But doesn't matter, which concept you use, the driving style and car weight has a big role.

Answer 6

They use a small gas engine to turn a generator to charge batteries that power electric motors that turn the wheels. The reason this is more efficient is that a gas engine is most efficient at only one speed. That is why you need a transmission to change gears as the car speeds up and slows down; so that the engine can stay as close to its best speed as possible. Even then it is rarely right AT the ideal RPM to be most efficient. But the gas engine in a hybrid ALWAYS runs at EXACTLY the most efficient speed so it can be smaller. If the gas engine is putting out more power than the car needs at the moment, the extra energy goes into the batteries, and if the batteries are fully charged it shuts down completely. That might happen while coasting down a hill or waiting at a light or stuck in slow traffic.

Answer 7

A hybrid car is basically a car with two engines (one engine being an electric motor) and two "gastanks" (one gas tank being a battery).  Both are connected by one transmission to the wheels.

In hybrids CVTs, or Constant Velocity Transmissions, have become the norm.  The CVT operates similar to the gears on a bicycle but is infinitely variable, so it is engineered that the engine management computer will set the transmission to keep the engine at its most efficient operating speed.  

In other words with a CVT you accelerate but the engine doesn't change RPM from its most efficient speed, only the gear ratios change in the transmission.

Answer 8

A hybrid is simply a gasoline powered auto with electric motors assisting.  They can run on only battery power, too but only for a short time.  Basically, the hybrid concept is to have electric motors drive the wheels as well as the gas motor which helps the gas motor get better mileage.

.