Hybrid Solutions
FULL ELECTRIC
An all-electric car, 'Full electric vehicle (FEV), or 'Battery Electric Vehicle' (BEV), runs only on electricity and has no internal combustion engine. When the battery is empty the car must be charged from a wall socket, a public charging point or a fast charging station. The fully electric car, together with the plug-in hybrid, forms the group of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV).
The fully electric car is more environmentally friendly. Unlike a conventional combustion engine car, FEVs do not emit CO2 while driving nor do they use fossil fuels. It should be noted, however, that the electricity must come from renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric plants and wind turbines, in order to be truly "green". The increasing range and fast charging stations along the highways make the FEV increasingly accepted as an alternative to the combustion engine car.
HYBRIDS (HEV)
HEVs or Hybrid Electric Vehicles use a combination of different propulsion technologies.
CLASSIC HYBRIDS
The classic hybrid has been around for almost twenty years. Such a car is equipped with two motors, usually an electric motor and an internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel), which are engaged according to need. Depending on the degree of hybridization of those two engines, it is referred to as:
1. Micro hybrids - This is the simplest form of 'hybrid'. This car with start/stop system is actually separate from hybrid technology, as the car is not powered by electric energy from the battery. However, this ingenious system does make a small contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. As soon as the car comes to a stop, for example at a traffic light, the gasoline or diesel engine is automatically switched off. The moment the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the engine starts up again. The engine is started by the starter motor, which is powered by the car's battery. The battery, in turn, receives additional energy that is collected during braking.
2. Mild hybrids - A mild hybrid uses the same start-stop system as a Micro hybrid, with the added feature of an electric motor that supports the internal combustion engine (only) during acceleration. In most cases, the electric motor in these cars cannot provide autonomous propulsion. The electric motor is powered by a battery that is recharged by regenerative braking, or by converting excess power from the combustion engine into electrical energy during driving.
3. Full hybrids - Going one step further is the full hybrid car. This type of hybrid - like the mild hybrid - supports the combustion engine, but can drive fully electrically. The car runs either solely on electric energy, solely with the combustion engine, or through a combination of both. The car itself intelligently chooses which power source is most efficient and, using regenerative energy from the braking system, charges the battery, which in turn powers the electric motor. Under normal conditions, when starting and driving at low speeds, the car is driven silently by the electric motor - with no fuel consumption or harmful emissions. The combustion engine kicks in as soon as the speed increases. If necessary, the electric motor can provide additional power, for example for rapid intermediate acceleration.
In standard hybrids, the battery cannot be charged from the outside; this is done with the help of the combustion engine and regeneration of braking energy. With plug-in hybrids, the battery can also be charged by connecting the car to the electricity grid. The rechargeable hybrid is a fairly recent compromise that could win over a lot of motorists.
4. Range extender - Electric cars equipped with a range extender are usually called extended range electric vehicles (EREV). Literally translated, range extender means "range extender. These idle hybrids can constantly run at an optimum speed to generate power. The power goes to the battery and then to the electric motor. The combustion engine has relatively little power and is only used when the batteries are in danger of running out of power.
An electric car equipped with a range extender can use a gasoline engine to recharge the battery while driving. This is usually a small combustion engine with 3 or 4 cylinders, but other power sources are also used, such as a hydrogen fuel cell. The fuel engine does not power the car, but charges the batteries. In this way, the range is increased while the car continues to run on electricity.
The most common contemporary range extenders are built into the car, but there are also systems that can be used as a trailer. Of course, this function as a generator costs extra fuel, making the car less fuel-efficient than a purely electric car.
This type of car offers some solutions to the problems BEVs face. Thanks to the complement of their electric motor with an internal combustion engine, the car has a normal range, while still being more fuel efficient compared to a conventional car. Since the combustion engine still consumes fossil fuels, they do still emit CO2, albeit much less.
5. Plug-in hybrids - Hybrids have both a fuel engine and an electric motor for propulsion. A hybrid car charges its battery with the energy released from braking. This allows the hybrid to run on power for shorter trips and then automatically switches to an economical gasoline engine.
A plug-in hybrid can also be charged with a plug and therefore drives part of the way electrically.
TECHNOLOGY
As already mentioned, the hybrid car uses a combination of different propulsion technologies. Typically, this type of car is powered by a gasoline or diesel engine, combined with a clean electric motor. While driving, the car's battery is charged by a generator, which in turn is powered by a gasoline or diesel engine. This energy (which is lost in regular cars) is stored by the buffering effect of the batteries, and can be used by the electric motor at a later time. An advanced system controls the electric motor and ensures that this second engine assists at times when the combustion engine could use some extra power (for example in hilly terrain or when accelerating quickly). This spares the combustion engine and thus limits the load, consumption and CO2 emissions. Also, the energy released during braking on the engine is stored in the battery and can, like the energy released by the combustion engine, be dosed and released by the electric motor.
Although the electric motors are primarily intended as auxiliary motors, there are hybrid cars that can already cover considerable distances using only the electric motor. Although the hybrid car is already much more economical and cleaner than those with regular internal combustion engines, electric cars are the cleanest variant.
Engine
There are different types of hybrid engines, each making use of the combination of fuel engine and electric motor in a different way. We distinguish three types of engines;
Hybrid engine connected in series
This way is especially suitable for vehicles that require little power. In a series-connected hybrid engine, both engines work equally. The fuel engine generates energy with which it drives a generator. This generator passes its energy to the electric motor which in turn drives the wheels. This makes the vehicle very economical, but at low power.
Parallel-coupled hybrid engine
In this system, the wheels are driven by both the fuel engine and the electric motor. While driving, the electric motor is also recharged. The circumstances determine which combination is used. For example, it is possible to drive on the fuel engine alone. This is most efficient when the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed. When accelerating, the electric motor uses some of the saved energy to support the fuel engine. This allows a smaller fuel engine to be used to provide the same performance. Fuel consumption is between 15% and 20% lower when using this system compared to a car with only an internal combustion engine.
Combined hybrid engine
It is also possible to combine both systems. This involves using both a hybrid engine connected in series and a hybrid engine connected in parallel. So there are two electric motors. The electric motor connected in series works in principle all the time when the car is moving. This is combined with a fuel engine just like the first kind and both engines work equally. There is also an electric motor that is connected in parallel. So this one only works when needed and recharges the rest of the time. This electric motor only works when, for example, accelerating.
Battery and driving range
Like any new technology, the cost is high at first and then slowly decreases. Plug-in hybrids are no exception. Although PHEVs use already existing technology it is not yet widely produced and sold. A major factor making PHEVs more expensive than traditional hybrids is the batteries,[11] which are used to power them.
Typically, two types of batteries are used for hybrids: nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium-ion (Li-Ion). Li-Ion batteries are the most efficient and can store more electricity, but are also more expensive. Many hybrids use NiMH batteries because of their charging capacity and cost effectiveness.
Plug-in hybrids are more expensive to buy than regular hybrids because they contain more batteries than traditional hybrids. More batteries does mean that the all-electric driving range is greater, and so is the cost savings.
The electric driving range of a standard PHEV vehicle is about 100 km. If a driver averages about 37 km per day, this is more than sufficient. In Europe, the average full recharge time for a PHEV with a 1-2 kWh battery is 77 minutes.
IN A FEW WORDS
Full hybrid (Parallel Hybride)
A full hybrid car is - you guessed it - full hybrid. That means that you can drive entirely on the electric motor and entirely on the combustion engine. All-electric in the city? Do. Still use both engines and the electric motor as support? Fine too. Whatever you want. The fuel engine charges the battery. So you don't have to 'plug in'. Examples of full hybrid cars: Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris, Ford Fusio Hybrid, Kia Niro and Lexus CT200h.
A full hybrid or 'parallel hybrid' uses both the combustion engine and electric motors to drive the car, either simultaneously or independently.
The most common type of hybrid vehicle, full hybrids can typically hold small amounts of electric charge. This can be used to provide extra power which is employed in conjunction with a combustion engine, thus improving its fuel economy.
As the electric motors are built into the drivetrain, a full hybrid can also switch to run in electric-only mode, although usually just at low speeds for driving around town and for very limited distances as the batteries are relatively small. However, the small size of the batteries does mean they can be charged to full capacity quickly by the engine, and there's never any question of range anxiety.
Even if the batteries are completely flat, you can always drive on petrol – or diesel – alone. Along with mild hybrids, the parallel hybrid system is generally considered the best hybrid option for drivers who rack up lots of miles.
Also, it's important to remember that EV mode might cut pollution in town, but the electricity you're using is mainly generated by burning fuel in the engine. That means driving in electric-only mode is actually less efficient than letting the hybrid system do its thing, selecting the best mix of ICE and electric power for the driving conditions.
Toyota continues to be the frontrunner for full hybrids with a range of cars including the Prius, Corolla, Yaris, and RAV4. It refers to its hybrid models as 'self-charging hybrids' in a bid to differentiate them from the plug-in hybrids offered by rival manufacturers. Toyota's sister brand Lexus also offers more luxurious hybrids with every model in its range available with a hybrid engine option.
Semi-hybrid (Suzuki, Mercedes, Audi MHEV)
Mild hybrid or half hybrid. Your car is obviously whole, but it is not possible to drive on electricity alone. The electric and fuel engines are one team and have one task: to move you from A to B as economically as possible. You drive a lot more economically than with an "ordinary car. If you spend an afternoon in the city, you drive about 15 percent more economically. If you mainly take the freeway, then it is 8 to 10 percent. The energy for the electric motor comes from a small battery. This battery is also not charged with a plug. The battery is charged by braking energy. Jaguar F-Pace
Like full hybrids, mild hybrids use an electric motor longside a combustion engine, but the two power sources can't be used independently of one another. Instead, the small electric motor is used solely to assist the engine. Typically the cheapest way into hybrid ownership, mild hybrids offer a simpler powertrain with modest power and efficiency gains.
Using a belt alternator starter, mild hybrid systems allow energy to be regained through braking, feeding it into the batteries. This energy can then be used when coasting and to smooth out stop-start.
Plug-in hybrid (Mitsubushi, Huyndai, Mini, Toyota PHEV)
The only hybrid that you can charge with a plug. Plug-in hybrids have to be plugged in, because the battery needs to be charged. At home, in parking garages or at a public charging station. Fortunately, there are more and more charging stations in the streets, because you really have to stop the car to recharge the battery. Examples of the plug-in hybrid: Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Volkswagen Golf GTE, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (or PHEV) is a hybrid which, as the name suggests, can be plugged in to charge its electric batteries.
It basically moves the full hybrid concept closer to that of a full-electric vehicle, by adding bigger onboard batteries that can be charged from an external power source, and thereby provide a much better electric-only range than you'd get from a full hybrid.
By charging your car's batteries overnight, you can start your commute with a full charge and take full advantage of the silent, fuel-saving electric driving mode. Owners who rarely exceed their car's electric-only range (usually around 30 miles) in a typical day, or who can recharge at their destination before returning home, can theoretically run a plug-in hybrid without ever using its petrol engine.
his is possible because PHEVs typically have larger battery capacities than full hybrids allowing for more zero-emissions driving but increasing weight. Once the charge has run out, the regular combustion engine can be used to drive just like in a full hybrid.
A recent survey found that many plug-in hybrid drivers were not taking full advantage of the technology, and were using them like normal cars without ever charging them. Doing so results in worse fuel economy than running a normal petrol or diesel car because of the added weight of the hybrid system.
With more and more PHEVs being released, all corners of the market are being covered. The Toyota Prius PHV and Hyundai Ioniq PHEV are affordable family hatchbacks, while SUV buyers can also enjoy plug-in motoring with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and MINI Countryman S E PHEV.
For buyers after a more premium badge, BMW, Mercedes, and Volvo all offer plug-in models. Topping off the PHEV food chain, the rapid 680bhp Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid offers super-saloon performance with rock-bottom running costs.
REEV
REEV stands for Range Extended Electric Vehicle, which means it's actually really an electric car. With exceptions: models that are available with an internal combustion engine. In that case it is a hybrid car, because you then combine the two engines. BMW I3, I8, Mazda CX30.