Hybrid Vehicle Explanation And Component

Hybrid cars are those that get their propulsion from two or more sources, like an electric motor and an internal combustion engine (ICE), a fuel cell and a battery, or a solar panel and a supercapacitor. Hybrid cars combine the benefits of multiple power sources, including increased performance, reduced emissions, longer range, and increased efficiency. Additionally, hybrid cars can lessen a driver's reliance on fossil fuels and their susceptibility to changes in fuel prices. We will examine the various varieties, parts, features, and disadvantages of hybrid cars in this post.

Hybrid car types

Various hybrid car types exist, based on how they store and utilize energy. The primary kinds are:

• Series hybrid cars: These are hybrid cars that only use their electric motor to propel the wheels; the energy needed to power the battery or supercapacitor is produced by the internal combustion engine (ICE) or fuel cell. Series hybrid cars are small and straightforward in design, and they can travel a short distance—typically 20 to 60 kilometers—only on electricity. However, because they have a bigger generator and two power conversion stages, series hybrid cars are heavier and less efficient than parallel hybrid cars.
• Parallel hybrid vehicles: These are hybrid cars that can drive their wheels using either the electric motor or the internal combustion engine (ICE) in tandem or separately. Due to their single power conversion stage and smaller generator, parallel hybrid cars are lighter and more efficient than series hybrid cars. To connect and disconnect the ICE and the electric motor, parallel hybrid cars need a clutch and a transmission system, which adds to their complexity and cost.
• Series-parallel hybrid vehicles: These are hybrid cars that, based on the driving environment and battery level, can function as either parallel or series hybrid cars. Series-parallel hybrid cars can maximize both power output and fuel efficiency and have a more adaptable and flexible design. However, series-parallel hybrid vehicles have a very complex and costly design, and require a power split device and a sophisticated control system to coordinate the ICE and the electric motor. 

Parts found in hybrid cars

A hybrid vehicle's primary parts are:

• ICE: This is the mechanism that powers the vehicle's wheels or generator by converting the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical energy. In-line engines (ICEs) are the most popular and widely accessible power source for automobiles. They can run on a variety of fuels, including ethanol, diesel, gasoline, and biodiesel. ICEs are long-range, quick to refuel, and have a high power density. Nevertheless, ICEs are noisy, emit a lot of emissions, and have low efficiency.
• The electric motor is the component that powers the vehicle's wheels or generator by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. Electric motors can produce torque and acceleration instantly and are more effective, quieter, and smoother than internal combustion engines. Direct current (DC) motors and alternating current (AC) motors are the two categories into which electric motors fall. Because AC motors are easily controlled by adjusting the input current's voltage and frequency, they are more frequently found in hybrid cars. DC motors are less complicated and more affordable, but they need a controller to change the AC current coming from the charger or battery into DC current.
• The battery is the component of the car that stores electrical energy and powers the electric motor and other parts. Cells that are connected in series or parallel to boost voltage or capacity make up batteries. The nickel-metal hydride battery, which has a high power output, a long lifespan, and a moderate energy density, is the most popular battery type used in hybrid cars. Lead-acid, lithium-ion, and nickel-cadmium batteries are other battery types that are utilized in hybrid cars; these batteries have different characteristics and effects on the environment.
• A fuel cell is a device that uses the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to produce electrical energy. Anode, cathode, and electrolyte are the components of fuel cells that permit ion and electron flow. The anode receives hydrogen, which is split into protons and electrons there. Water is created when protons react with oxygen at the cathode after passing through the electrolyte. Electric current is produced as the electrons travel to the cathode via an external circuit. Fuel cells are very expensive, complex, and temperature and humidity sensitive, but they also have a high efficiency, low emissions, and long range.
• The solar panel is the component that transforms solar radiation into electrical energy, which powers the car's supercapacitor or battery. Photovoltaic cells, which are comprised of semiconductor materials like silicon and produce electricity in response to light, are the building blocks of solar panels. In addition to being a clean, renewable energy source, solar panels can lower the fuel and emissions from hybrid cars. On the other hand, depending on the weather and time of day, solar panels have a variable and intermittent power output, a high initial cost, and a low efficiency.
• Supercapacitor The device that stores electrical energy and powers the electric motor and other parts of the car is called a supercapacitor. Supercapacitors store energy by building up electric charges on the surface of their electrodes, which are separated by an electrolyte. Supercapacitors are known for their extremely high power density, quick charging and discharging times, and extended lifespan. Supercapacitors are very expensive, have a very high self-discharge rate, and a very low energy density.
• The charger is the device that changes grid or generator AC current into DC current so that the vehicle's battery or supercapacitor can be charged. Three levels of chargers can be distinguished based on their power and rate of charging. A typical hybrid vehicle can be charged in 8 to 12 hours with a Level 1 charger, which uses a standard 120-volt outlet. Using a 240-volt outlet, level 2 chargers can charge a typical hybrid car in four to six hours. A typical hybrid vehicle can be charged in 30 to 60 minutes using a Level 3 charger, which operates on a 480-volt outlet. Nevertheless, level 3 chargers are more costly, harder to find, and can shorten battery life when used frequently.
• Controller: This is the gadget that controls the electric motor's speed and power in response to input from the accelerator pedal and the battery's level of charge. The regenerative braking system, which recovers some of the vehicle's kinetic energy during coasting or braking and transforms it into electrical energy that can be stored in the battery or supercapacitor, is also managed by the controller. In addition to extending the range and efficiency of hybrid cars, regenerative braking can lessen brake deterioration.