What is
a Hybrid Car?
Hybrid cars are so called because they
run on a combination of two different power sources. The first
is a normal but usually highly fuel efficient gas engine
designed to get the maximum amount of power and mileage from
the minimum amount of fuel. This is usually also designed to
minimize the exhaust gas and carbon emissions. The second is a
high power electric motor, which is run by batteries stored in
the car.
Many trains are hybrid vehicles as they draw power from the
main grid where it is practical and economically feasible to
use overhead power lines. But they have the option of using
diesel power when this is not available or if there is a
problem with the power supply.
The new innovations and advances in technology have enabled
a new generation of hybrid cars to make use of this idea to
both reduce fuel costs and to enable drivers 6to reduce the
amount of greenhouse gases produced by their cars.
This combination of two fuel sources allows hybrid cars to
run on the “normal” engine when high or sustained levels of
power are required such as fast country roads or highways. This
is also when a gas engine is at its most efficient and will
therefore provide the best fuel economy, and the lowest level
of emissions.
Although the gas engine in hybrid cars can provide huge
amounts of power for fast acceleration this is not an effective
use of its capabilities. Gas engines use disproportionately
large amounts of fuel and produce huge amounts of emissions
when driven hard for acceleration. However the gas engine is
still the main power source for hybrid cars. However for
cruising along the highway hybrid cars use a gas engine which
be very efficient, use minimal fuel and produce low levels of
gases. The lack of need for alteration of speed or power means
that you can ease off on the gas until a comfortable cruising
speed has been achieved and you are using only they amount of
fuel needed to maintain the equilibrium.
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