Unlike a general internal combustion engine, a hybrid vehicle uses the power of an electric motor and a petrol (or diesel in some vehicles) engine together.
Right now, in Malaysia and also globally, the demand for hybrid (and plug-in hybrid) vehicles are rising and this can be attributed to a combination of factors.
A hybrid powered vehicle offers a blend of fuel efficiency and performance without the issues of battery charging associated with full electric powered cars. Plus, the economic benefits they provide in the important USED car market against an electric car cannot be ignored.
Did you know that here are three different types of hybrids available for sale: mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Mild Hybrid (MHEVs)
Seen as a stepping-stone into full hybrid technology, a mild hybrid car combines a traditional petrol or diesel engine with a small electric motor to help reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. Unlike a full hybrid or PHEV, a mild hybrid car cannot drive under electric power alone, the electric motor is purely there to improve the engine’s efficiency.
Full Hybrid
Working in a similar way to a mild hybrid, a full hybrid vehicle combines an electric motor and a battery pack with a conventional petrol engine. Unlike a mild hybrid however, a full hybrid car can drive under its own electric, powering the vehicle independently at low speeds (usually up to 40km/h or so) for short distances. A full hybrid also does not need to be plugged into a power source like an EV or PHEV vehicle as they automatically recharge their battery whilst ‘on the move’.
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) uses the same technology as a full hybrid where it combines an electric motor with a conventional petrol engine but with a much bigger battery. As the name suggests, a PHEV must be plugged into a power source in order to charge the battery, however unlike a mild hybrid or a full hybrid vehicle, a PHEV can travel further using only electric power, with most PHEVs offering an electric-only range of around 50km to a possible 117km.
Here are answers to the questions related to hybrid cars.
Q. What kind of battery is used and how many batteries?
A. Hybrid vehicles are equipped with have two batteries which is a 12-volt unit and a high-voltage unit. The 12-volt battery provides power to everything from the radio to the engine computer, just as it would in a traditional vehicle. Meanwhile, the high-voltage battery uses either a nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion construction.
Q. Are there no 12V batteries in hybrid cars?
A. No. A hybrid vehicle consists of a high-voltage battery that runs the electric motor and a 12V low-voltage battery that powers the automotive electronic system.
Q. How does a hybrid vehicle operate?
A. Under most conditions, the high-voltage battery is recharged by the ICE in conjunction with an electric motor acting as a generator. The battery can be charged through regenerative braking when the vehicle is slowing or stopping, as well
Q. Are the 12V low-voltage battery of a hybrid car better than the lead-acid battery?
A. Yes. Modern hybrid vehicles have lithium iron phosphate batteries instead of lead-acid batteries. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are significantly better than lead-acid batteries, considering the volume and weight.
Q. Are the latest hybrid cars frequently discharged?
A. That’s not true. Hybrid vehicles house a battery protection function to automatically shut off power in case of over-discharge. This is clearly different from discharge.
Q. How long will a hybrid ‘BATTERY’ system last?
A. Well, it depends on usage and there is confirmation that hybrid batteries can last much more than 10 years in Asia and longer and it is not uncommon to find a 20-year-old Japanese hybrid vehicle in Japan that still has the original battery. The battery will tend to last longer if its state of charge has been maintained and the vehicle hasn’t been continuously subjected to extreme temperatures (like we have in Malaysia).
Right now, Philippines is one of the few countries offering full tax incentives on hybrid vehicles. The Malaysian government previously waived import and excise tax on hybrids with engine capacities below 2,000 cc, but it has been nearly a decade now since this incentive was last offered.
