What does it mean when a car is hybrid?
2 Answers
It means a car has two or more power sources, which is called a hybrid vehicle. Below is an introduction to hybrid vehicles: 1. A hybrid electric vehicle, also known as a composite power vehicle, is equipped with more than one power source: storage battery, fuel cell, solar cell, or generator set of an internal combustion engine. The vehicle's power sources are not limited to just internal combustion engines and batteries; others include fuel cells, solar cells, etc. Currently, composite power vehicles generally refer to those with an internal combustion engine generator plus a storage battery. 2. Hybrid means the car uses both gasoline and electric power as driving methods. Hybrid powertrains can be classified by power transmission routes into three types: series, parallel, and series-parallel. 3. There are three common types of hybrid vehicles: plug-in hybrid, range-extended hybrid, and gasoline-electric hybrid. Among them, plug-in hybrids and range-extended hybrids belong to new energy vehicles with green license plates, while gasoline-electric hybrids are classified as ordinary motor vehicles with blue license plates. Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles cannot be considered true new energy vehicles; strictly speaking, they can only be regarded as energy-saving cars. This is because the engine of a gasoline-electric hybrid model must use fuel as the primary power source.
When someone says a car is hybrid, it means the vehicle combines a gasoline engine and an electric motor as two power sources, like having a backup helper ready to step in at any time. While driving, the system automatically switches between them based on different conditions: for example, during startup or low-speed driving, it mainly relies on the electric motor for fuel efficiency and quiet operation; during acceleration or climbing hills, the gasoline engine kicks in to provide strong power; and when decelerating or stopping, it can recover energy to recharge the battery. Toyota's Prius is a classic example. Overall, hybrid cars are particularly practical in urban traffic jams, significantly reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, but the downside is a potentially higher purchase cost and the need to pay attention to battery lifespan. As a daily commuter, it's a smart choice that balances environmental friendliness and economy.
