What is the Working Principle of Plug-in Hybrid?
2 Answers
Plug-in hybrid works mainly on electricity, with the gasoline (diesel) engine serving as an auxiliary power unit only when the battery is depleted and cannot be recharged in time. Classification of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can be further divided into range-extended plug-in hybrids, parallel plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and series-parallel plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. About Hybrid Electric Vehicles: The electrical energy in hybrid electric vehicles comes entirely from the engine's power generation, without relying on external electricity, achieving complete self-sufficiency. The hybrid system uses the electric motor to drive the car under low-speed and rapid acceleration conditions, while the highly efficient Atkinson cycle engine drives the car during steady cruising, thus avoiding high fuel consumption ranges. The engine both drives the car and generates electricity, so hybrid electric vehicles typically have smaller battery capacities, with shallow charging and discharging, charging and discharging as needed.
I've been researching automotive technology, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, abbreviated as PHEVs, have a pretty straightforward working principle—it's like a smart hybrid. They come with built-in battery packs that you can charge by plugging a charging cable into a household socket or charging station, filling up the battery. At this point, if you're driving short distances, such as commuting a few dozen kilometers, the vehicle operates in pure electric mode, powered silently by the electric motor with zero emissions. But when the battery is nearly depleted or you're going on a long trip, the vehicle automatically switches to hybrid mode: the engine starts, burning some gasoline to generate electricity, which either charges the battery or directly drives the wheels. Meanwhile, regenerative braking recaptures energy during downhill or braking and feeds it back into the battery, saving fuel. The entire process is controlled by a computer, optimizing the ratio of fuel to electricity usage in real-time based on road conditions, eliminating range anxiety unlike pure electric vehicles, making it both flexible and efficient. This technology stems from traditional hybrids but features a larger battery capacity, better suited to daily charging habits, making driving more economical and eco-friendly.
