The demand for hybrid vehicles has increased around the world and customers are loving their practicality, efficiency, and performance.
Similar hybrid technology was introduced several years ago by Ferdinand Porsche when he developed the Lohner-Porsche in 1901. But hybrid electric vehicles did not become widely available until the release of the Toyota Prius in the year 1997.
As you may know, Toyota is a global automobile company based in Japan. It was the following model from another popular model from Honda “The Honda Insight” in the year 1999.
During the initial stages, people didn’t pay much attention to hybrid vehicles due to the low cost of gasoline.
But eventually, the worldwide rise in prices of gasoline had prompted many automakers to release hybrids in the late 2000s.
Hybrids are considered as one of the core segments of the automotive market in the future. The global sales of electric cars went up rapidly in 2020 by rising by 43% to more than 3m, so the coronavirus pandemic even helped the market. 🙂
The global sales are led by Toyota with more than 15 million Lexus and Toyota hybrids sold across the world as of January 2020.
1. What is Hybrid Cars Technology?
A hybrid combines an electric motor with a conventional gasoline engine to power the car. It is designed in such a system that recaptures energy via regenerative braking.
The electric motor and the gasoline engine sometimes work independently or work together to propel the vehicle. This depends on the amount of power required and the driving conditions.
Keep in mind that this system helps to reduce the amount of gasoline burned and deliver a better fuel economy.
Sometimes the vehicle adds electric power to boost the power delivery.
All the electric energy required for the car comes from a high-voltage battery pack that is not part of the car’s conventional 12-volt battery system. This special battery pack is replenished by capturing the energy from the car’s deceleration.
The energy from this type of battery is typically lost to the heat generated by the brakes in conventional cars. The hybrid cars also use the gas engine to charge and maintain the battery power.
2. Different Types of Hybrid Cars?
Yes!
As we have discussed earlier there are various types of hybrid vehicles.
Different car companies use multiple hybrid designs to accomplish varying objectives that range from maximum fuel savings to lower the vehicle’s cost.
Here are some types of hybrid vehicles for your attention.
Parallel Hybrid
Firstly, the parallel hybrid type is one of the most common designs in the world. The electric motor and the gasoline engine are connected together in a common transmission that blends the two power sources.
The transmission system for this type of technology can be automatic, manual, or continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Another popular hybrid transmission is the power-split CVT which is used in the popular Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt cars.
The size of the gasoline engine and the type of transmission will determine how the parallel hybrid will feel, sound, and accelerate.
Some of the popular brands that use the parallel design are Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Nissan, Lincoln, and Infiniti.
Series Hybrid
In this design, the electric motor provides most of the power and thrust required by the vehicle. This system does not depend on the physical-mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels.
The series hybrid technology uses the gasoline engine only to recharge the battery.
Hence, the driving experience is more like an electric car, with a smoother and more powerful acceleration when you step on the gas pedal. There is generally less vibration when the gasoline engine is working.
The BMW i3 is an example of this kind of technology.
Plug-In Hybrid
A plug-in hybrid system actually enhances the conventional hybrid concept but using a larger battery pack just like an electric car.
This type of car needs to be fully recharged by using an external electricity source from home or the office.
Plus, one can also charged the car from a public charging station available at your location.
One can use it for extended electric driving and therefore reduce fuel consumption significantly. So you can charge it at night for short city commutes etc.
Once the electric energy is drained the car will revert to the conventional parallel hybrid.
Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid is a good example of a car using this technology.
3. About Toyota Hybrid Cars
The Toyota hybrids combine the power of petrol engines and the benefit of electric motors to enable people to save on fuel bills. It also has a lower emission level and does not require time to wait for charging the battery.
About 20 years ago Toyota set the standards with the Prius and is still leading with this reliable hybrid technology to provide a greener and cleaner future for all people.
All Toyota hybrid vehicles contain advanced alternative fuel technology. It offers great efficiency, reliability, and power for 21st-century driving.
The Toyota hybrid vehicles range from the compact version to mid-size and full-size sedans. They also have mid-size and full-size hybrid SUVs in their vehicle lineup.
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4. Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive
Most of the Toyota hybrid vehicles take utmost advantage of the advanced system known as the Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Once you open the hood of these vehicles you will find a conventional gasoline engine paired with an electric motor that works in tandem to provide outstanding fuel economy with the added benefit of lower emissions.
These hybrid vehicles can deliver performances similar to a gasoline-powered car along with the added benefit of smoother power delivery and refined ride quality when the vehicle is running on electric power.
The synergy drive systems have the unique ability to alternate between gas and electric power with vehicles like the Toyota Prius being able to ride solely on one form of power according to the scenario.
Normally at low speeds, the gasoline engine will not be in use.
But under heavy acceleration, the gasoline engine will kick to life and deliver adequate power to provide the necessary speed.
All these hybrids have regenerative capabilities that help the vehicle to capture the energy normally lost during braking and store it in the battery for later use.
Most Toyotas are quite stylish, I like them!
The construction of the models is an aerodynamic one – it helps them to slice through the air effortlessly while boosting the average miles per gallon.
5. What are the Most Popular Toyota Hybrid Vehicles?
I’ll keep it short and make the list of Toyota’s most famous hybrid cars.
Here they are:
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Avalon Hybrid
- Camry Hybrid Model
- Toyota Rav4 Hybrid
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Corolla Hybrid Model
- Toyota Prius Prime
6. What are the Advantages of Driving Hybrid Vehicles?
Here are some of the top advantages of Driving Hybrid Vehicles:
- They are all environmentally friendly
- They are cost-effective since you can save on fuel costs and lesser maintenance
- Lesser dependence on fossil fuels
- Higher resale value
Conclusion
Many people across the world are shifting to hybrid vehicles to save their money and also support environmental protection.
As of April 2020, there were over 17 million hybrid vehicles sold worldwide since their launch in 1997.
Japan has one of the world’s largest fleet of hybrid electric vehicles along with the world’s highest hybrid market penetration.
The demand for these hybrid vehicles is booming and Toyota is the key player in this field. Their robust brand, quality, features, and customer loyalty help them to be one of the top automobile manufacturers in the world.
As technology grows and people become tech-savvy, they prefer to get all the best products available around the globe.
Hence, if you buy a hybrid car and plan to fit the latest accessories you can always find it at the local stores or online.
It’s now possible to book a car online since most popular dealers are offering online booking facilities for multiple brands of vehicles. This is a suitable way for people who prefer online shopping in UAE. It’s a great time to own an eco-friendly and economically viable vehicle.
So go ahead and book yours if you love to own a hybrid vehicle and enjoy the comfortable drive.
James is the Founder & CEO of GurusWay.com. Majoring in Business and other life-changing sectors, James covers helpful content and shares his experience with the targeted audience.