Hybrid Cars – Why Are They Becoming Popular?
‘Hybrid car’ is one of the buzzwords in the automotive world at the present time. Even though these cars are a popular topic of discussion now, most people are not aware of the fact that hybrid cars have been around for longer than they realize. A hybrid car is a vehicle that combines most commonly two (more) sources of power for propulsion. There are many examples of hybrids automobiles other than modern ones, that people often do not realize. Mo-peds, which combines a gasoline engine as well as the pedal power of its rider and the submarine which combines electric and nuclear power to allow movement are some of those examples.
The modern day hybrid automobiles commonly combine the power of a gasoline engine with that of an electric motor. Today, almost all leading automakers are producing these type of hybrids and there are some which are in the process to produce hybrids. Modern day hybrids can be categorized by two ways- one way is called a parallel hybrid, in which either the gasoline engine or the electric motor could power the transmission which can propel the car.
The other way is the series hybrid in which the gasoline engine is used to power a generator which can either produce or store power for the car batteries or supply power for the electric motor and this in turn powers the transmission and propels the car. Since hybrid automobiles make use of both electric and gas, they have many advantages over conventional or gasoline-powered vehicles.
First of all, the gas engine of a hybrid car is much smaller than the engines used in regular vehicles, because of which a hybrid requires less gasoline to power, as well as it offers better fuel efficiency. Better fuel efficiency in turn gives a hybrid car better mileage. Secondly, the use of an electric motor in a hybrid car produce less exhaust, thereby ensuring less pollution to the environment. This is why hybrids are regarded as environmentally- friendly vehicles. Keeping these benefits of hybrid cars in mind, more and more car manufacturers are taking the initiative to produce more hybrids! It seems hybrids are becoming a global problem solver in many situations, including pollution and fuel prices.
