Hybrid Electric vehicles
Transportation plays a major role in the whole of economic development. However, it cannot be denied that this same aspect which spells growth also brings destruction to the environment such as the greenhouse effect and exhaustion of the world’s fuel supply. These are due to the harmful fumes that these big engine vehicles emit into the atmosphere and the constant farming of the dwindling energy supply.
Have you ever wondered how are you contributing to the smog as you drive your new sports car to and from your destination? Or did you even stop considering the cost of fuel or diesel that it will consume for the next five years or so of its productive life? Gasoline-fueled vehicles may have come a long way to meet today’s innovative engines. However, these cars use a heavy engine that emits greater pollution and consumes more energy in the process. At the rate that combustion-producing engines are destroying the environment and consuming the fuel sourced from Earth’s energy sources, you would be dreaming of driving a car that would not only be eco-friendly but also cost-efficient.
For this, car manufacturers and inventors alike have come up with one of the greatest innovations in the car industry. Through the concerted efforts of these ambitious individuals, hybrid electric vehicles are one answer to the prayers of environmentalists and energy conservation enthusiasts. Hybrid electric vehicles are a type of combined fuel combustion cars and electric cars that utilize the traditional internal combustion engine system combined with an electric drive system.
The Technology
Hybrid electric vehicles are in demand because they utilize two dissimilar sources of energy to power the vehicle. This technology began with its use in submarines and trains. Due to its innovative features, inventors soon crossed over to cars, trucks, and buses. The shift was not easily accepted by consumers because of the novelty of the idea. Soon, however, the need for a more economical, energy-efficient vehicle had risen due to soaring fuel prices. Smog and other environmental effects were also becoming alarming.
The need for a vehicle that reduced both emissions and fuel use had come to a point where hybrid cars were soon not just accepted in the market, but demand grew. With the participation of world-recognized car manufacturers on the bandwagon for a more eco-friendly car, the popularity of hybrid electric vehicles has also risen amazingly over the past few years since its inception.
Hybrid electric vehicles utilize the combined electrical and gasoline energy while highlighting the lesser consumption of gasoline. The electrical energy is basically used in powering up the vehicle and for slower speed. Gasoline-sourced energy then is utilized when accelerating to higher speeds. Miniature computer programs with corresponding controls ensure the smooth control and transition of the shift from electrical energy to gasoline power and vice-versa.
This combination of power results in the two most outstanding attributes of these innovative vehicles. The reduced utilization of gasoline made it possible to use smaller engines which in turn emit less pollutants and lesser demand for gasoline in the world market which in turn decreased the world’s fuel price. It is also worth mentioning that the actual charging of the electric energy used does not any costly and time-consuming recharge since the batteries are automatically recharged using the kinetic energy produced during braking or regenerative braking.
Advantages of HEVs
There are several types of hybrid electric vehicles available in the market and they each operate as electric vehicles to a varying extent. Hybrid electric cars are the most common form of HEV although there are also hybrid electric buses and trucks as well. HEVs utilize efficiency-enhancing innovations like regenerative braking which transforms the car’s moving energy into electric energy. This transformation enables it to recharge the battery instead of just wasting the energy produced when braking like other conventional vehicle’s brakes do.
Electric vehicles are more energy efficient and are environment-friendly because the engines they use are usually much smaller than the ones used in traditional gasoline-fueled vehicles. These vehicles are actually very effective and very innovative.
Hybrid Electric vehicles are, of course, often more expensive than traditional vehicles. On average, more popular HEVs (which also flaunt luxurious amenities) cost as much as $3,000 to $6,000 more than conventional gasoline-fueled cars.
Why Buy Hybrid Cars?
The foremost reason why you should opt to purchase a hybrid electric vehicle, instead of a conventional gasoline-fueled car, is that they are very eco-friendly. These vehicles actually lower the emissions of pollutants by up to 90%. Although HEVs are more expensive than traditional cars, they can be cost-efficient in the long run since they don’t consume as much fuel as conventional cars do.
Since Hybrid electric cars have smaller engines, they are more effective and help reduce smog and other environmental concerns because they emit fewer particulates and gases. In the long run, Hybrid electric cars enhance mileage to a great degree.
Most hybrid electric vehicles have a fuel use savings of 20% or more when compared to traditional cars.