Hybrid cars are unique types of vehicles. This is not because their body structures, sizes, and designs are different from the conventional gas-powered cars since they actually look similar. This type of vehicle is unique because the components found under its hood are different from the ordinary expensive and cheap new car models that most car finders would purchase either on a cash basis or through auto financing.
Hybrid cars do not only rely on the gas engine as the power source, but they also have an alternative power source such as an electric motor. In fact, hybrids are currently using three major types of technologies to propel them. The first type is the so-called “parallel hybrid system” that uses electric motors, gas engines or the combination of these two as power source.
The second type is referred to as the “mild hybrid system” that uses an electric motor to support the gas engine in specific conditions. However, the electric motor in this system is not capable of propelling the vehicle all by itself.
The third type is commonly known as the “plug-in hybrid system” that makes use of electric motors to power the vehicle. This type of hybrid has battery packs that store electrical charges when the vehicle is charged. These batteries would then release the stored charges when the vehicle is driven. Most of the time, this type of hybrid has gasoline engines that propel the vehicle in the event that the batteries are drained along the way.
Although these are just the existing technologies found in almost all hybrid vehicles, car makers still continue to search and develop other technologies that could support the overall function of this type of vehicle. As a matter of fact, there are car makers who are now using the regenerative-braking systems that helps hybrids extra charges when the vehicle brakes.
Due to these technologies installed on hybrids, they become more fuel-efficient. The extra source of power such as the electric motors allows the hybrid to consume lesser fuel since the vehicle does not run on just gasoline alone. In short, the additional power source cuts the total fuel consumption down.
The size and the need for space is not an issue for hybrids. This is because hybrid cars are offered in different options. In fact, you can easily choose a hybrid car that suits your need for space. In case you need the space provided by an SUV or a sedan, you can easily look for hybrid versions of these vehicles since they usually have their own hybrid counterparts.
However, the only problem that you could possibly encounter when you look for a hybrid car is the price. Hybrids are currently sold at higher prices since their production costs are also high. But this would probably last for long since more and more car manufacturers are planning to mass produce more hybrid versions of their vehicles.