| To those not in the know, hybrid cars work with a combination of a gas engine and an electric motor. There are two versions, one of which has both the motor and engine working in tandem. The other gets the initial impetus from an electric motor, and on reaching a certain speed the gasoline engine kicks in.
There are distinct advantages in running a hybrid car. The first is certain tax incentives allowable to a buyer of a hybrid car. Then there is the economy, since the running cost is substantially lower. Last of all, the hybrid car is environmentally more friendly as it emits no pollutants while in electrical mode.
The efficiency is achieved because of the following:
- Hybrid cars have smaller, more efficient engines.
- They have a regenerative braking facility. This means while slowing down or braking, the motor switches to generator mode. It recharges the batteries and also creates a load that aids in slowing down reducing the need for braking. This way the momentum already built up is gainfully utilized.
- Designed with advanced aerodynamics for drag reduction.
- Built with lightweight materials to reduce the load on the drive.
Understandably, hybrid cars are infinitely more complex in design than a conventional gas car. The whole working will have to be governed by an on-board computer which will have to control when each form of motivation comes into play and cuts out.
There is no record of anyone building their own hybrid car as a hobby except for a school in Philadelphia in 2006. It cost them between $80,000 and $100,000.
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