Like this page

Search

Monday, May 25, 2009

What is a hybrid vehicle?

Hybrids are vehicles that combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor as the power source. Add a sophisticated transmission and powerful batteries and it's a recipe that makes the most of gasoline, the one fuel that's available in all fifty states--at more than 180,000 stations. Hybrids utilize the electric motor and battery storage to maximize the fuel economy from standard gasoline-burning engines. Depending upon the design and usage, hybrids can boast up to 30 percent fuel savings (sometimes more) over a comparable gasoline vehicle. And that translates into less greenhouse gases spewed into the environment also. Best of all, hybrids are designed for ease of use--just hop in and go.

Hybrids may be classified as the following:

  • Mild – uses the electric motor and battery as an assist to the internal combustion engine
  • Full – the two propulsion systems (electric motor and internal combustion engine) can work independently or in conjunction with each other
  • Plug-in – the internal combustion engine acts only as a back-up to the main rechargeable motor and battery system
http://about.com

No comments:

Post a Comment