What is a Hybrid Car?

With gas prices on the rise more and more consumers are looking for ways to save gas, when driving their cars. Some choose to drive less, or change the way they drive. Some look into cars, which will achieve more mileage per gallon of gas. One car type that will provide you with more miles per gallon is the hybrid car. However, not everybody understands how a hybrid functions. A hybrid car will cost more than the comparable size regular car. Thus, when pondering the purchase of a hybrid car, consumers often wonder, how and how quickly will the extra cost be recouped? How much will one be able to save at the pump? And does the hybrid perform just like a regular car?

The hybrid cars currently available on the market are, in a nutshell, usually a combination of a gasoline engine with an electric motor and several batteries (gas-electric hybrid). Thus, gasoline is still a necessary component in powering this car. Nevertheless, the hybrid car will use less gasoline than its regular counterpart. The gasoline engine is used during regular operation of the car. It powers the car when the driver accelerates, or the car carries a heavy load. On the other hand, the electric motor takes over, when the car is driven at a steady speed such as on a highway. It also sometimes supports the gasoline engine in the acceleration process. The electric motor takes over, when the car is idleling. Additionally, the electric motor takes care of the electric devices like the lights, radio/CD, or A/C. .

The electric motor is charged through the batteries. The battery system is charged by utilizing the brake system. In regular cars the heat caused by the friction of the brakes, when the car is slowed down, is ventilated out and dissipates. Thereby the heat, and the energy associates with it, is completely wasted. The hybrid car takes advantage of the energy produced by the break friction. Each manufacturer has their own system to capture the energy. However, all of them utilize generators, which during the time the breaks are used, place resistance on the drive train, which in turn generates electricity, not heat. The electricity is stored in the batteries and used to power the electric motor.

Other hybrid versions are still in development with the primary focus on capturing energy to charge the batteries to power the electric motor. For example, some companies are experimenting with solar energy to charge the batteries; others work on a heated water-based system, trying to utilize the heat produced by the exhaust of the engine.

The utilization of the 'free' electricity generated to power the electric motor, which in turn powers some functions of the car, results in lower gasoline usage, and therefore in lower operating costs when driving a hybrid car. However, taking into account the higher cost involved in purchasing a hybrid car, it can be years before a consumer can actually realize a saving effect from the purchase of a hybrid car. This is true, even with the increase in gasoline prices. The federal government and sometimes even local governments, offer tax breaks to those who purchase a hybrid car. Sometimes you can even realize savings on your car insurance. However, even taking into account these incentives, a hybrid car does not translate into quick savings. If you are like the average car holder, who purchases a new vehicle every three to five years, a hybrid car might currently not be worth the expense for you.

Hybrid cars enjoy growing popularity. In addition car manufacturers are constantly improving the technology, increasing the mileage per gallon a hybrid car can achieve while simplifying the operating system. In the long run, hybrid cars will be more affordable and well worth the expense, even if a car is only held for three to five years.