Hybrid Cars
On television, in the press,
in large ads in the streets or roads... we receive every day more advertising
of "hybrid cars". What are?
How do they work? What are the advantages? I am curious, so I thought to delve
a bit on the issue asking an expert. So I have requested an interview with an
engineer from one of the largest companies which at this time are tucked in the
promotion of this interesting technology, Pedro Lasso.
Interviewer: First, can you briefly explain what a hybrid car is?
Pedro: Hybrid cars are a type of vehicle that uses the combination of two
motors: one is electric and the other uses fossil fuel (mixture of the
conventional and innovative). This
combines an engine of internal combustion with one or more electric motors and
an extra battery that takes care of storing the electric power. The proper
functioning of the vehicle will be charging the battery, especially when
braking and slowing down. Thus it can
decrease emissions of polluting gases into the atmosphere and, at the same
time, a good performance of the vehicle can be obtained.
Interviewer: When hybrid cars appear?
Although until 1997 the first hybrid car was no
produced in series (the Toyota Prius arrived in Europe in 2000), one century before (in 1899) Henri Pieper
would have developed the first hybrid vehicle of petro-electrical transmission
in the world, and in 1900 Ferdinand Porsche developed a series hybrid using two engines, the wheel
hub motor and a combustion generator to provide electrical power, establishing
two speed records. And in 1978/79 David Arthurs, an electrical engineer from Springdale,
Arkansas, developed the regenerative braking hybrid, allowing you to recharge
the battery using the energy of braking.
The most recent and used models are based on patent engineer Victor Wouk.
Interviewer: What is the difference between an electric and a hybrid vehicle?
An electric car works 100% with electricity from a battery pack that is
recharged when plugged into an electrical outlet. On the other hand the hybrid
uses an electric motor, but also other of fossil fuel. The electric car is
therefore more eco-friendly, but has a very limited autonomy.
Interviewer: What types of hybrid cars are now on the market?
At least we can speak mainly of the following types:
·
The conventional hybrids that combine a gasoline combustion engine associated
with an electric motor. In this type we can include most of the hybrids sold
today. These models are capable of storing electricity generated in braking and
deceleration in the extra battery. This type of hybrids can operate in mode
100% electric at specific times, as for example in the exit of a garage, or in
some sections of town provided that speed will not exceed 40 - 60 km/h.
·
In this line also have started to appear on the market the cars that
combine a diesel engine with an electric motor.
·
Most recent are plug-in hybrids: batteries can be charged in a conventional
plug, on an external power source (mains), with increasing autonomy in electric
mode which will already be raising up to 50 km. These plug-in electric vehicles
or plug-in are becoming more common.
Interviewer: What
are the advantages of hybrid cars?
There are many advantages of hybrid cars:
- They
generate less pollution than conventional cars: reduction of pollutant
emissions and lower noise pollution since the hybrid car engine is much
quieter than the conventional.
- They more efficiently use energy generated. For example, many
hybrid systems allow to collect and reuse the energy generated in braking
into electricity thanks to the so-called regenerative brakes: This allows
you to get a greater autonomy than the simple electric cars
- There are also economic benefits: saving fuel and official aid
(reduction of taxes or subsidies for the purchase)
Interviewer: But it will also have
disadvantages? Or not?
Yes, it also has
some disadvantages. For example, are more expensive than conventional ones,
although the difference is amortized soon, thanks to fuel economy. More energy
is consumed for its manufacture and pollution is greater than in the production
of e a purely petrol or diesel vehicle. In addition, the materials used for the
manufacture of batteries - nickel, among others - can be more harmful against
the environment. The hybrid car has difficulty when it comes to repair any
breakdown or simply make you a review.
Interviewer: Any ideas for the future?
It is clear that fossil fuels will not last forever.
It is also clear that our planet is suffering the consequences of polluting
substance abuse. That is why we must find alternatives, and one of them,
although still is a significant way to go, is that of hybrid cars. Every day
they are developing more, every day they
are more efficient, every day are less polluting--, so undoubtedly today are a
good choice.
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