Hybrid Cars, are they more usefull on hilly terrains due to lack of brake charging on flat areas such as Chch?

Question

Seems to me where there is little braking during an average drive in flat terrain, the battery's would get little charging.

Does this mean hybrid electric cars are less usefull in flat terrain?

Answer 1

Depends. If you're on a long 300 mile trip on flat terrain, you would not recover much energy for the hybrid batteries, but if you have to stop often, that is where you benefit by recovering the energy for the batteries.

Answer 2

Hi,

it depends on the hybrid, there are multiple levels of hybrid. Some basic info to help clear things up...

Full hybrids recharge the nickel metal hydride (NiMH) hybrid battery by the regenerative braking generator, the internal combustion engine (ICE) running, or just the friction of the wheels rolling on the ground.

The regenerative braking system is just one part of the recharging that occurs when a full hybrid runs or brakes.

A full hybrid can move and run the air conditioning system using electricity only, the ICE does not have to start.

This is done with a combination of an ICE, two powerful electric motor/generators (one to move the front wheels and one to brake them), and a large NiMH storage battery.

A partial hybrid is not able to move or run the air conditioning without the ICE running. Just like in a full, a partial's ICE is usually shut off at stops and restarts when the accelerator is pressed. The exception is if the air conditioning is running in a partial, then the ICE does not stop, no matter what.

A partial hybrid also has a small electric drive motor and a regenerative braking motor in addition to the ICE to recharge a smaller NiMH storage battery.

A mild hybrid does not have additional battery storage, or may have a very limited storage capacity. The ICE must run to move the vehicle and run the air conditioning.

Essentially, a mild hybrid has an electric motor that stops and restarts the ICE when it is not needed, such as at stop lights to prevent unnecessary idling.

All Toyota and Lexus hybrids are full hybrids. Ford/Mercury hybrids are full hybrids. Honda Civic is technically considered a full, but works as a partial. GM's vehicles are either partial or mild, depending on the vehicle (Tahoe is a partial, Malibu is a mild). Nissan Altima uses the Camry Hybrid tech, so it is a full. Chrysler/Dodge are all milds.

So, a partial or mild will not get much benefit from less stop and go because the ICE will be running continuously.

A full hybrid will still get benefit from any driving, but it depends on the vehicle.

Quite honestly, Highlander Hybrid or Escape Hybrids are still SUV's and are still limited by their body shape and weight on the road.

There is serious wind resistance for any vehicle traveling at highway speeds and that wind drag is more of a factor than the reduced braking from long distance travel, flat or not.

The less streamlined body shape of an SUV just adds to that, hybrid or not.

A more streamlined body (the Prius actually slips through the air easier than a Corvette, .26 vs. .27 Cod) lessens the air drag at every speed, but there is a reduction in mpg as speed increases, no matter what.

So, essentially, a full hybrid is fine on flat terrain, even if the ICE is running more. A vehicle like a Prius, even according to the EPA, will get 45 mpg at mostly highway speeds with little braking. I personally maintain an average of 51.7 throughout the year, and there's still piles of snow here in Wisconsin where I drive.

Lots of info, but looking to give you a more detailed answer for a fuller understanding. If that doesn't do it, let me know on any specifics.