With gas prices on the rise, it seems purchases of Hybrid cars are on the rise. Hybrid cars provide greater fuel efficiency because they only use fuel as needed. Hybrid cars use two types of power. They use a conventional car engine that uses gasoline and an electric motor. There is often a misconception that a hybrid car gives off a larger engine sound than a typical gasoline vehicle. Hybrids have advanced a long way and most are just as quiet as a traditional vehicle.
The electric motor is the device in the car that saves on gasoline. It is basically comprised of large rechargeable batteries. These electric motors are used for driving in town through residential neighborhoods or stop and go city traffic. The electric motor is great during that five o’clock rush traffic jam. A gas engine sits and idles wasting precious gas, the electric motor does not.
When the driver taps on the brakes during coasting or slowing down it engages the car wheels to the electric generator. Tapping the brakes lets the generator convert the mechanical energy into electricity to recharge the vehicles battery.
Often people have the wrong idea in that they think a hybrid needs to be plugged in and that is not true. If the battery falls beyond a certain level of charge, this signals the gas engine to turn on so that the electric motor gets charged.
When the car is operating at a higher speed such as on a highway , the gas engine automatically turns on and operates the car. Most hybrids come equipped with variable valve timing intelligence which insures that the car is operating in the best manner to use fuel in the most efficient way.
Hybrid owners need to fuel their engines far less often than drivers who drive a typical car. Hybrids typically get anywhere from 30 to 60 miles a gallon. This great gas mileage allows Hybrid owners to fuel their cars every 400 to 600 miles.
The best option is to test drive a hybrid and see if it may be the type of vehicle for you.