Types of hybrid cars

Hybrid cars are a much greener option than cars that consume gasoline. A hybrid combines an internal combustion engine and an electric one that is powered by extra batteries. This type of cars have been around for a long time but due to the crisis they are increasingly on the rise since fuels are more expensive, the technology cheaper and there is a greater boom in environmental awareness. In .com we tell you what types of hybrid cars exist.

Soft hybrid

The first type of hybrid car is the soft hybrid or gasoline engine, it is an internal combustion engine that has no mechanical connection to the wheels . Only be used to create and generate electricity and the traction is always electric. It is an engine that works optimally, and the battery is recharged until it is full, at which point it is temporarily disconnected. This type of cars can be turned off while they are in operation, slow down or even stop, and then turn on right away. An example of a soft hybrid is the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado.

In this article we tell you the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid cars.

Full hybrid

The complete hybrid is a combination of two engines . It is like a hybrid in series but with mechanical connection to the wheels. It is a much more complex type of hybrid at the electronic and mechanical level. When a full hybrid goes to low speeds, they can use only the electric motor. When driving at higher speeds above 20 mph, these types of hybrids can use the gasoline engine as an energy source, using electric power to provide more power if necessary. An example of this type of car is the Lexus NX200.

Hybrid connection

These hybrid cars are also known as plug-in or PHEV, they work with electric rechargeable batteries for ranges between 48 and 322 kilometers although this will depend on the car model. The first connection hybrid was launched to the market in 2008 in China. The batteries are rechargeable with conventional electric power, that is, it must be plugged in and can travel at least 30 kilometers without another propulsion system. An example is the Chinese car model of the Qoros brand.

Hybrid in parallel

This type of car also called semi-hybrid uses both engines, both thermal and electric, to give strength to the transmission at the same time . It is not considered a very efficient system but it is very simple and, for this reason, the Honda brand opted for this technology at the time but ended up giving up. An example of this type of car is the Honda Insight.

Extended range electric

This type of extended range car or EREV, is a series hybrid. They are considered electric cars since they do not need a heat engine to work, they can be 100% efficient. When the batteries run out, the thermal engine is used to generate electricity in a sustainable manner and at a constant rate so that the cost per kilometer is very low. An example model is the Opel Ampera.