Types of Hybrid Cars

Many people believe that a hybrid is a hybrid is a hybrid. Except for a few minor differences in gas mileage and appearance, they’re all the same car underneath, right? Nearly every manufacturer out there has a hybrid vehicle or is looking to make one and they all want to offer you something the others can’t. Just like conventional, gas-only cars, hybrids come in all different shapes and sizes and have different components under the hood that make them unique. Let’s explore the two major types of hybrid cars and the differences in the way they work for you.

First, it’s important to understand what a hybrid is. It’s a cross between a gas-only vehicle and an electric vehicle. It has an internal-combustion engine as well as an electric motor and generator so it can derive its power from two sources. It also has a fuel tank and a transmission, just like conventional cars and a battery pack, just like electric cars.

But, not all hybrids are built the same. Some hybrids are built on a parallel structure and some are built in a series. But what does that mean for you?

Parallel Hybrids- Parallel hybrids work on two separate systems: the electric system and the gasoline system. The electric system uses a battery pack to supply power to the motor and the gasoline system uses the fuel tank to supply power to the engine. Both systems have the ability to power the transmission at the same time or separately because both systems are connected to the transmission but are independent of each other. And, just like in conventional cars, the transmission turns the wheels. It’s like having two cars under one hood.

Series Hybrids- Series hybrids work differently than parallel hybrids because the gasoline system and the electric system must work together to power the car. In the series hybrid, the engine works the generator instead of going directly to the transmission. The generator can do one of two things: charge the battery pack or send power to the motor which is connected to the transmission. The transmission still turns the wheels.

But which is better? Right now, while hybrids are using nickel-metal-hydride batteries, a parallel may be the best option. Parallels allow the generator to gather electricity for the battery pack while the internal-combustion is working on its own. A series hybrid depends on the battery pack 100% of the time to run the car. However, in the future, this may change. Hybrid manufacturers are looking at the possibility of installing lithium-ion battery packs in series hybrids, which would make the series hybrid the more efficient of the two.

At the time, there’s no clear cut division between the two. Some manufacturers use series construction to build their hybrids and others use parallel construction. Series construction is being tested more every day and parallel construction is being used in the current manufacturing process more every day.