Hybrid engine working principle. Hybrid engine is economy and dual thrust

01.10.2019

Engine

The prototype car with a hybrid engine appeared at the end of the 19th century. Today it is a vehicle capable of not using fuel at low speed, but moving using electric energy.

A hybrid engine is a system consisting of an electric and a fuel engine. At the same time, during the period of work, each can be involved both individually and both in independent cycles.

Device and principle of operation

The most common mode of operation of a hybrid engine is that when driving a car at low speed, for example, in a city, its electric unit is used. When the car moves along the highway, the internal combustion engine (ICE) is turned on. In the case of a heavy load, for example, during sharp uphill climbs, both engines are switched on.

Of course, the advantages of such a device include the fact that when using an electric motor, fuel consumption is significantly reduced, since it runs on constantly replenished battery energy.

The ability, at least in part, to reduce the amount of harmful substances emitted into the air is another plus of the car's hybrid system.

Hybrids are characterized by low power, which the internal combustion engine helps to compensate.

Hybrid engines can be either petrol or diesel. Moreover, manufacturers of natural gas equipment (LPG) have developed systems that can work on these vehicles.

An example of a hybrid design

The hybrid device includes:

Its design and dimensions are designed to reduce weight, emissions and fuel consumption.

The electric motor is developed taking into account features of a hybrid. It was made not only generated to work with a fuel block, but also paid special attention to power indicators. In parallel, it generates energy to recharge the car's battery. It can be made built into the power plant or placed separately from it, in some models both options are used at once.

Transmission. The operation of the hybrid transmission is actually the same as its arrangement on conventional cars. But, depending on the type of hybrid engine, they may differ. Gearboxes in them are either hybrid with an integrated electric motor, or conventional mechanical and automatic. For example, the transmission of a Toyota car is designed with a branching of power flows. This type of engine operates in smooth load mode, which helps to significantly save fuel consumption.

Fuel tank. Needed to fuel the internal combustion engine. To illustrate what has a number of advantages, I would like to cite one fact in favor of this: the energy obtained from the combustion of 1 liter of gasoline is comparable to the energy generated by a battery weighing about 450 kg.

Battery. Its main function is to generate a sufficient level of energy for the operation of the electric motor. The car uses two batteries, high-voltage and regular 12 (V) to power the on-board network. Initially, before the start of all systems, the power comes only from the standard one, since constant cooling is necessary for the operation of the high-voltage battery and the inverter.

The inverter converts the direct current of the high-voltage battery into three-phase alternating current for the electric motor and vice versa. It also regulates the distribution of energy and controls the electric motor.

Generator. Its principle of operation is the same as that of an electric motor, but it is aimed at generating electrical energy.

3 types of hybrid units

As noted earlier, the hybrid system of a car is a combination of motors, a kind of two different crossed technologies. The hybrid drive technology is characterized in two ways - it is a dual-fuel or bivalent and a hybrid power unit.

This division into two combinations of power units is defined for their classification according to a different principle of operation.

The device of the hybrid power unit includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor-generator. Thus, the electric motor is both an energy generator, and a traction electric motor, and a starter for starting the internal combustion engine.

There are three types of hybrid powertrain. The main criterion for classification is the execution of the main structure. Therefore, there are: a micro-hybrid power unit, a medium hybrid power unit and a full-hybrid power unit.

Micro hybrid powertrain

The conceptual feature of this type of drive is its electrical part, which is only needed to perform the start-stop function. At the same time, part of the generated kinetic energy is reused as electricity (recovery process).

The drive solely due to the operation of electric traction is not possible. The performance of the 12-volt fiberglass-filled hybrid battery is adapted to frequent engine starts. Also, a storage device in the form of an electrochemical capacitor can be used to accumulate energy from recuperation.

Micro hybrid from Mazda

Medium hybrid powertrain

The electrical drive assists the operation of the internal combustion engine. At the same time, the movement of the hybrid only due to electric traction is not carried out. With this type of hybrid motor, electrical energy is regenerated during braking and then stored in a high-voltage battery.

The device of the high-voltage battery of the hybrid and all its electrical parts meets the required voltage level, which makes it possible to generate sufficiently high power. As a result, thanks to the support of the internal combustion engine by an electric motor, its operation is characterized by maximum efficiency.

Full hybrid powertrain

The operation of two motors: an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, in this type is combined with each other. The full hybrid type allows the car to move only due to electric traction and a sufficiently long distance. Under certain conditions, the power unit functions as a medium hybrid.

These vehicles are equipped with a sufficiently powerful electric motor and high-voltage batteries of a larger volume, which allows them to produce such characteristics. The basis of battery recharging is also the process of energy recovery.

The "start-stop" function is implemented for the internal combustion engine, which starts only when necessary. And the separation of the internal combustion engine from the electric motor is carried out due to the established clutch between them, so they can function independently of each other.

Schemes of interaction between the operation of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine

Hybrid cars are designed according to three engine interaction schemes. Let's consider each of them.

Sequential scheme of interaction

This principle of the device is the simplest version of a hybrid car engine. Its operation scheme is as follows: the torque from the internal combustion engine goes to the generator. The generator then generates the electricity it needs to run and transfers it to the battery. Additionally, the battery is recharged by the process of recovery of kinetic energy. In this scheme, the movement of the car is carried out only due to electric traction.

This circuit is characterized by sequential energy conversion, i.e. the energy coming from the combustible fuel in the internal combustion engine is converted into mechanical energy, then transformed into electrical energy by a generator, and then again converted into mechanical energy.

Positive aspects of the serial scheme:

The operation of the internal combustion engine is carried out at constant speed.
There is no need for an engine with high power and fuel consumption.
A gearbox, like a clutch, is not needed here.
The electrical energy of the high-voltage hybrid battery allows the car to move with the engine turned off.

Negative sides of the serial circuit:

At the stages of energy conversion, it is lost.
The dimensions and cost of the battery are quite high.

The brightest representative of a hybrid car with a consistent scheme of interaction Chevrolet Volt

If we talk about the most suitable variant of the car movement with a sequential scheme of interaction, then this is urban traffic with frequent stops, when the energy recovery system is constantly turned on.

Parallel interaction scheme

This scheme got its name because the car engines work constantly together. The principle of operation of this type of interaction of two modules occurs due to the electronics of the car, electric motor and internal combustion engine. Both engines are connected to the gearbox by means of a planetary gear.

Purely on electric energy, such hybrids are able to drive for a short time, while the internal combustion engine is disconnected from the transmission by the clutch.

The control unit distributes the torque from both engines depending on the vehicle's driving mode. The internal combustion engine is assigned a more important role, and the electric motor starts when additional traction is needed, for example, when the car accelerates sharply. During braking or smooth movement, the electric motor works as a generator of electricity.

Electric motor integrated into BMW 530E iPerformance gearbox

There are modifications with an electric motor separate from the internal combustion engine, they are a complex system, but at the same time effective. This module consists of two electric motors, the traction motor connected via a planetary gear to the second one, which serves as a generator and starter.

In such a scheme, the internal combustion engine is not directly connected to the wheels, which allows you to constantly transfer part of the moment to the generator and recharge the battery.

Parallel hybrid powerplant with independent electric motors

Positive aspects of the parallel circuit:

Since the main work is assigned to the internal combustion engine, there is no need to install a powerful high-voltage battery. The internal combustion engine is directly connected to the drive wheels, so the energy loss is much less.

Negative sides of the parallel circuit:

The main disadvantage of this scheme is the higher fuel consumption in comparison with other engine interaction schemes. It turns out that saving on city traffic will not work, the most successful option would be to move along the highway.

Serial-parallel scheme of interaction

The very name of this circuit indicates that this type is a variant of combining the two previously considered circuits: serial and parallel. The movement of the car at low speed and its start from a place is carried out only due to the power of the electrical part. The internal combustion engine supports the operation of the auto generator, as in a sequential interaction scheme. The transfer of torque from the internal combustion engine to the wheels occurs when driving at high speed.

At high loads that require increased power, the car's generator may not produce the right amount of energy, in which case the electric motor is powered additionally from the battery, as in a parallel interaction scheme.

In this scheme, an additional generator is provided, it recharges the battery. The electric motor is only needed to drive the drive wheels and to provide regenerative braking.

Part of the torque transferred from the internal combustion engine goes to the drive wheels, and some of it goes to the generator, which in turn feeds the electric motor and charges the battery.

For the direction of the torque to the wheels, generator or electric motor and its ratio, the planetary mechanism is responsible - the power distributor. The power supply from the alternator and battery is controlled by the vehicle's electronic control unit.

This technology is also used on hybrid all-wheel drive cars. An internal combustion engine with an electric motor in a parallel circuit is installed on the front axle, and only an electric motor connected to the internal combustion engine in a serial circuit is installed on the rear axle.

All-wheel drive hybrid from Mitsubishi

Positive aspects of the series-parallel circuit:

It is not difficult to guess that the indisputable advantage of this hybrid scheme is its great fuel economy combined with good power characteristics. Nature lovers will appreciate its environmental friendliness.

Negative sides of the series-parallel circuit:

Among the negatives is a more complex design compared to previous schemes, and as a result, a high price. Since an additional generator is needed, a capacious battery and a complex electronic control circuit.

Conclusion

We have considered all types of hybrids and their interaction schemes, but in general, there are many types that are difficult to attribute to one of them, since over time technologies are more and more mixed and refined.

On some, hydraulic couplings with a gearbox are used instead of a planetary gear; on others, they experiment with a rear-mounted internal combustion engine or generally spread the internal combustion engine and electric motor along two axes. Designers do not stop there and are increasingly developing this direction.

Autoleek

A hybrid car (hybrid) is a vehicle that is equipped not with the usual internal combustion engine, but with the so-called hybrid power unit. The main difference between hybrid cars is that vehicles of this type are driven by the use of several energy sources: thermal and electrical. In other words, a hybrid car has several types of engines on board that power the car.

As for the very concept of a hybrid engine, this term is misunderstood by many as a special power plant. In fact, a “hybrid” should be understood as several engines of different types, which are combined into a complex single system for converting various energy sources into useful work. In modern automotive industry, hybrid cars are equipped with two types of power units: an electric motor is paired with an internal combustion engine.

Read in this article

The main advantages and disadvantages of hybrid cars

One of the first developments was a scheme in which each of the power plants is activated under certain conditions. If the car is idle or the movement occurs at low speed, then the electric motor turns the wheels. To accelerate and further maintain speed, a gasoline engine is connected. The subsequent development of technology has led to the fact that on hybrids there are several options for implementing the interaction of a familiar engine and an electric motor. Such interaction can be:

consistent;
parallel;
series-parallel;

Consistent interaction

The sequential scheme resembles electric vehicles, since the movement of the vehicle is realized through the operation of an electric motor. The internal combustion engine in this design is connected to a generator, power is supplied from the generator to the electric motor itself, and the battery is also charged in parallel. On a single charge of a lithium-ion battery with increased capacity, you can often go about 50 km. way, after which the internal combustion engine is activated, which extends the specified segment up to 10 times (about 500 km.)

Parallel interaction

Hybrids with parallel interaction of installations suggest the possibility of both separate operation of the internal combustion engine and electric motor, and simultaneous operation. This design is implemented by combining with the help of special couplings of an electrical unit, an internal combustion engine and a transmission. Such hybrid vehicles receive a low-power electric motor that not only drives the car, but also gives power during acceleration. Often, such an electric motor is a starter and a car generator, structurally occupying an intermediate position between an internal combustion engine and a gearbox.

Serial-parallel communication

In this design, the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are connected by means of a planetary gearbox. A feature of this implementation scheme is that each power plant can be turned on and off, while giving a minimum or maximum of power to the wheels. Moreover, the specified power is given separately or simultaneously. In the device of such a circuit, there is a generator that feeds the electric motor of the hybrid.

The market leader in hybrid vehicles today is Toyota Corporation, which uses a series-parallel implementation called Hybrid Synergy Drive.

The electric motor, internal combustion engine and generator are combined into a common system by means of a planetary gearbox. The internal combustion engine gives a minimum of power at the "bottom" (Atkinson cycle), allowing you to save fuel. A hybrid car with such an interaction scheme assumes:

Economy mode of driving only on electric traction with the engine off, during which the electric motor is powered by the battery.
Maintaining the set speed by distributing the power of the internal combustion engine to the wheels and the generator, from which the parallel operating electric motor is powered. The battery is also recharged.
The mode of intensive acceleration and serious loads, when the internal combustion engine and the electric motor work in parallel. In this mode, the electric motor is powered by the battery, without power take-off from the generator.

Exploitation of hybrids: busting the myths

Hybrid cars are a novelty that has not been fully improved and has many flaws. This is a myth, as the Toyota brand has been in full-scale mass production of hybrid models for almost 20 years.
In hybrids, the batteries are drained, which leads to problems. This is true, but only partially. At the initial stages of technology development, such cases occurred, but today high-precision electronics do not allow deep discharge of the battery.
Hybrid cars are more likely to break down, expensive, and difficult to repair. This is a myth, as hybrid vehicles are no less reliable than conventional diesel and petrol ICEs. Most service stations comprehensively service hybrids on a par with conventional cars. Moreover, the gearbox in hybrids eliminates the presence of frictions, which makes such a transmission simple and reliable, which cannot be said about various types of automatic transmissions. As for the internal combustion engine, the engine in hybrids often works at low speeds, does not reach peak loads. If we also take into account the Atkinson cycle, then the engine life of a hybrid engine is much longer than a conventional engine.
The ICE of a hybrid has less power, such cars lose in dynamics compared to their counterparts. Yes, the power of internal combustion engines in hybrids is less, but due to the addition of an electric motor, the total power of the units significantly exceeds the power of conventional analogues with one gasoline engine.
The consumption of a hybrid car in practice is not much different from a conventional car. This is partly true, since the consumption rate of hybrid cars directly depends on the driving modes. To achieve maximum economy, it is necessary to change the driving style to slow, calm and smooth, avoiding acceleration, active throttling, etc. In other words, strong pressure on the gas pedal will give a command to the control system that it is necessary to start the internal combustion engine.

The idea of saving fuel in hybrid cars is to drive on electric power at speeds up to 60 km/h for as long as possible with a charged battery, which is often enough in dense city traffic. It is also necessary to add that the system takes into account a large number of factors: outside temperature, the degree of heating of the internal combustion engine and, battery charge, movement downhill or on a hill, etc. Under different conditions, the hybrid can use the internal combustion engine, or it can move only on electric energy.

A hybrid battery is hard to find commercially and takes up a lot of space in the trunk of a car. This is a myth, since batteries for hybrids are always available for order in auto stores, and there is also a wide selection on various Internet resources. As for free space, the battery practically does not occupy usable space in the luggage compartment.
You can't put gas on a hybrid car. This is a myth, since global manufacturers produce equipment that is compatible with a hybrid car.

A bit of history

Cars with hybrid "hearts" - the invention is far from new, as it might seem at first glance. The pioneer and embodiment of the idea of a hybrid engine was a Jesuit clergyman named Ferdinand Verbiest. In 1665 he began working on plans for simple four-wheeled wagons powered by steam and horses. But the first production models with hybrid engines saw the light already at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. For ten years, starting in 1887, the French Compagnie Parisienne des Voitures Electrics released a series of cars with hybrid engines. And in 1900, the General Electric company created a hybrid car with a four-cylinder gasoline engine. The Walker Vehicle Company of Chicago produced hybrid trucks until 1940.

Of course, at that time the production of such cars was limited to small batches and the creation of various kinds of prototypes. However, in our time, an acute shortage of oil resources and an ever-growing economic crisis have prompted automotive designers and developers to return to their roots and resume production of cars with hybrid engines.

How a hybrid engine works - in simple words about new technologies

Well, now is the time to figure out what kind of unit a hybrid engine is and why so zealously began to produce cars with such hearts? A hybrid engine is a system of two interconnected engines: gasoline and electric. Two engines can work both in conjunction and separately, it all depends on which mode of operation is used at the moment. The process of redistribution of "powers" is controlled by a powerful computer, which at one time or another decides which of the engines should now work. To move in the suburban mode, the fuel engine takes over all the work, because the battery does not last long on the highway. To move around the city, the electric motor is turned on.

If the car is subjected to heavy loads or it has to accelerate frequently and quite intensively, then both engines are already working together. An interesting fact is that while the car is moving on a fuel engine, the electric one is charging at this time. A car with a hybrid engine emits 90% less substances into the atmosphere than the fuel engines we are used to, and this despite the fact that it also includes a gasoline unit. Also, the consumption of gasoline in the city can be reduced to zero, which, of course, cannot be said about country trips.

Let's take a look at how a hybrid car pulls away. At the very beginning of the movement and at low speeds, only the battery and the electric motor work. The energy that is stored in the battery feeds the energy center, which then distributes it to the electric motors, which already start the car silently and very smoothly. After the maximum speed for the electric motor is reached, the gasoline unit is also connected. Torque to the drive wheels already comes from two engines overnight. In the process of such work, the internal combustion engine gives part of the generated energy to the generator, which further feeds the electric motors, unloading the battery, while the excess energy is transferred to the battery, replenishing it, lost at the start of the movement, the stock.

If the car is moving in normal mode, then only the front-wheel drive is used automatically, in other cases, the distribution of torque is already supplied to two axles. In acceleration mode, the torque to the wheels comes mainly from the internal combustion engine, and if it is necessary to increase the dynamics, then electric motors are already used to complement the internal combustion engine. But the more interesting point is still braking. The electronic "brain" of the car controls the on and off when it is worth connecting the hydraulics, and when the regenerative braking, but the preference is still given to the second. That is, when the driver of a hybrid vehicle presses the brake pedal, the electric motors go into generator operating mode, thereby creating a braking torque on the wheels, which also generates electricity, which feeds the battery through the power distribution center. This is where the whole essence of the "zest" of the hybrid engine is hidden.

In the classics familiar to us, the energy released during braking is wasted, simply lost in space as heat from brake discs and other parts. The use of brake energy is very efficient in urban areas where frequent braking at traffic lights is a common thing. The VDIM system, which is the controlling vehicle dynamics, manages the operation of all vehicle active safety systems, combining them into a single "organism".

Perhaps the first successful instance equipped with a hybrid engine, released to the masses, has already become known Prius from company Toyota. This miracle car consumes only a little more than three liters of gasoline for every hundred kilometers in urban mode. Also, the Japanese company went further by releasing its luxury hybrid crossover Lexus RX400h. But the cost of this car is on average within 70,000 USD. Note that the first generation Toyota Prius was inferior to cars of the same class with internal combustion engines in terms of speed and power characteristics, in contrast to the Lexus RX400h, which initially competed well in its class.

After Toyota, the world's leading automotive concerns also did not disregard the use of hybrid engines, as they saw this as a solution to the global problem of environmental pollution and fuel economy. And so followed the announcement of the creation of hybrid trucks and transport vehicles from the Volvo Group. According to their calculations, the release of these products will reduce fuel consumption by as much as 35% over time.

But with all the greatest desire and calculations of automobile concerns, cars with hybrid engines have not yet been snapped up all over the world like hot cakes. The popularity of hybrid cars is gaining momentum only in Canada and the States. Demand for hybrids among the American population has grown due to a sharp rise in the price of fuel, which was mercilessly fired before. After all, the American auto industry has always been famous for its "muscle cars" with incredibly powerful engines and huge consumption of flammable liquids. European car enthusiasts generally reacted neutrally to cars with hybrid engines. A fairly environmentally friendly and more economical, trustworthy veteran, a diesel, runs there.

Most of the cars in Europe are refueled with diesel, which cannot be said about the USA. Moreover, cars with diesel engines are much cheaper than hybrid ones, moreover, they are simpler and more reliable in their design. After all, everyone knows such a postulate: "the more complex the system is designed, the less its reliability." It is this factor that determines the number of hybrid cars in our country. Officially, such cars are not delivered to us, and the problem of service stations is simply inevitable in the event of a breakdown. There are simply no specialized service stations for the repair of hybrid engines in our country. And on our own, we think that hardly anyone will undertake to repair such a device.

Hybrid engine device - circuit description

So, we briefly reviewed what a hybrid engine is and why its use is not as widespread in the world as we would like. Now I would like to "dig" deeper and consider the scheme of its structure. But there are three of them. We propose to start with the simplest scheme, which causes the least interest for us - this is a sequential hybrid engine.

Series diagram of a hybrid engine

In this scheme, the start of the car comes from an electric motor. The internal combustion engine is in conjunction with a generator that feeds the battery. Hybrid vehicles with a sequential powertrain scheme (Plug-inHybrid) are often produced with the ability to connect to the electrical network at the end of the trip. The presence of this function implies the use of batteries with high energy intensity, which significantly reduces fuel costs for the use of an internal combustion engine, which in turn reduces the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. These cars include Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera. They are also called electric vehicles with a wide range. These cars can only run on battery power at a speed of 60 km / h and using the energy of a generator that drives a gasoline engine for as much as 500 kilometers.

Hybrid car parallel circuit

With this scheme, an internal combustion engine and an electric motor connected in parallel are installed in such a way that they can work either separately from each other or together. This effect is achieved due to the design of the unit, in which the gasoline engine, electric motor and transmission are connected by automatically controlled clutches. A car with such a hybrid engine scheme uses a small electric motor, about 20 kW. Its main task is to add power to the internal combustion engine during vehicle acceleration.

Most of these structures the electric motor is installed between the internal combustion engine and It also performs the functions of a generator and a starter. The most famous representatives among cars with a sequential hybrid engine are the BMW Active Hybrid 7, Honda Insight, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid. This scheme appeared due to the initiative of Honda with its Integrated Motor Assist - IMA system. The operation of this system can be divided into several characteristic modes:

- work from the electric motor;

Joint operation of the electric motor and internal combustion engine;

Operation from an internal combustion engine with parallel charging of the battery using an electric motor that acts as a generator;

Charging the battery during regenerative braking.

Series-parallel hybrid circuit

In this scheme, the electric motor and the internal combustion engine are connected using a planetary gearbox. This allows you to simultaneously transfer power from each of the motors to the drive wheels in a ratio of 0 to 100% of the rated power. The series-parallel circuit differs from the previous one in that a generator is installed on the first one, which creates energy for the operation of the electric motor.

Well-known representatives of cars with such a hybrid engine scheme are Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, Lexus RX 450h. In this segment of the "hybrid" market, Toyota is leading with its Hybrid Synergy Drive - HSD system. The power unit of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system is presented as follows:

- ICE communicates with the planetary gearbox;

An electric motor that is attached to the ring gear of the planetary gearbox;

The sun gear of the planetary gear is connected to the generator.

The internal combustion engine operates on the Atkinson cycle, which means it produces little power at low revs, resulting in better fuel economy and less exhaust emissions.

Hybrid car - pros and cons

Advantages of hybrid engines

1. The most important advantage of hybrid vehicles is their efficiency. The fuel consumption of such cars is 25% less than that of classic cars with an internal combustion engine. And in our situation with constantly rising gasoline prices, this is a very important factor.

2. The next no less important point The next most important point among the positive aspects of hybrid engines is environmental friendliness. Hybrid cars cause much less damage to our environment than classic ones. This is achieved through more rational fuel consumption. And when the car comes to a complete stop, the internal combustion engine stops working, transferring the reins of power to the electric motor. Therefore, during the stops of the hybrid car, the atmosphere is not polluted by CO2 emissions.

3. The batteries of hybrid engines are recharged by a gasoline engine, which is not the case with electric vehicles, which makes the range of a fuel-powered engine much longer. And it can go longer without refueling.

4. Modern hybrid cars are in no way inferior to a similar class of traditional ones in all the main characteristics. So let's dispel this myth, which many people most likely believe.

5. In urban, stop-and-go environments, hybrid vehicles perform like electric vehicles.

6. When standing still, a hybrid vehicle is completely silent as it runs on the electric motor only.

7. Refueling of a hybrid is carried out with gasoline and in the same way as a traditional car.

Cons of hybrid cars

There is nothing perfect in the world, which means that hybrid engines also have their disadvantages.

1. And the main disadvantage is expensive repairs. Since the design of such engines is very complex, it is very difficult to find a specialist who will deal with the elimination of problems. This explains the high cost of maintaining hybrids.

2. Batteries installed in hybrids are subject to self-discharge. They also do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. And their service life is very limited. But so far, we have not yet figured out what kind of impact batteries have on the environment, which is why recycling them is a problematic task.

It is obvious, of course, that hybrid engines have more pluses than minuses, but in our country they have not taken root yet. The first reason for this is the price. The cost in Ukraine of the popular Toyota Prius is from 850,000 hryvnia. But he is not only the most-most in his popularity, but also the cheapest. Also in Russia, it was planned to launch the production of a hybrid called Yo-mobile, but the project was curtailed. To date, the most powerful hybrid vehicle is the BMW ActiveHybrid X6.

The fight for the environment in our time is in full swing and very zealously, in connection with which motorists are encouraged to purchase cars with hybrid engines. So in America, the owners of such cars are provided with certain benefits and free parking spaces. Similar laws are also planned to be introduced in our country, in particular, duties on the import of cars with hybrid engines will be reduced. Gasoline engines are already gradually receding into the background, losing their positions. And hybrid engines are one of the main steps being taken for this. But as long as the price category of these cars remains at the same level, the demand for them will be small.

About prices for cars with hybrid engines

Like everything new, unusual and interesting, cars with hybrid engines are more expensive than their classic counterparts. Today, hybrid cars are much more expensive than cars with similar characteristics, but with gasoline engines. For example, the hybrid Toyota Camry is almost $7,000 more expensive than its petrol counterpart. The hybrid Honda Civic has increased by $4,000 over its traditional model. The Lexus GS 450h is a wonderfully dynamic (from 0 to 60 in just 5.9 seconds) car, which is also much more economical than similarly powerful sedans with eight-cylinder engines. The fuel consumption of this car is approximately 8 liters per 100 kilometers on a combined cycle. The average retail price for this car in Ukraine will average around $80,000.

On the topic of introducing hybrid cars, of course, you can argue for a long time and take certain positions and defend your points of view, but one thing is clear - the future is not far off and soon this leap will be made. Changes in the automotive industry are coming grandiose! And we hope this will be what we all need.

Each driver has his own opinion about hybrid car models. Some believe that such machines should have the greatest distribution because of their environmental friendliness. Others talk about some mythical operational properties of such models, not knowing all the details and the truth. To be sure of our words regarding hybrid cars, we will look at the various types of such cars and talk about their distinctive features.

Energy saving

Humanity has always been concerned about the problems of ecology, namely environmental pollution. To reduce air pollution from machines to a minimum, it is necessary to reduce emissions of exhaust gases. Now such methods of preserving the purity of the planet are also cost-effective. By purchasing inexpensive eco-goods, the buyer not only saves his money, but also helps the environment in every possible way.

The world, represented by large states, is struggling with the abundant consumption of energy resources by all means. At the same time, fuel, oil and gasoline are constantly growing. It follows from this that it is only profitable for you to acquire technologies that save energy.

Continuous development of hybrid models

Since the appearance of hybrid cars on the market, almost all major automobile companies have begun to develop and produce their own unique models of this type. All this is justified by the bright future of hybrid models in the car market. The Asian organizations Toyota and Honda became the pioneers of such developments.

And today you will be amazed at the huge selection of hybrid cars. Due to the growth in demand for these cars, car market experts are confidently talking about an increase in production, and the consequences of an increase in the number of buyers for these models. By the way, some drivers buy such cars because of the low state tax on them: cars with an impressive engine size will have to spend more money because of the high duty.

What is a hybrid car

A hybrid car is a vehicle in which the power unit has not one, but two whole energy processing technologies. Almost all hybrid types of cars combine a gasoline engine (internal combustion) and an electric one. Some models of such machines can drive both motors at the same time, while others have only one engine interacting with the wheels, the second only supplies energy.

Another characteristic of such cars is the ability to turn on any of the motors at the discretion of the driver. Manufacturers of hybrid cars note that this technology has many advantages. The driver has the right to turn on the electric motor if he is in a traffic jam or drives at low speed. In such cases, fuel is consumed very quickly, and using economy, you can reduce the cost of gasoline.

Advantages of a hybrid car

Justified price

The cost of cars rises both from the size of the car and from the quality of the model. After all, it is much easier and cheaper to create a miniature car, as well as large mechanisms require a lot of fuel to move.

Consider a car model Toyota Camry. On regular trips around the city, you will spend 9.5 liters of gasoline, and beyond it - 6.7. A hybrid analogue of such a car needs only 5.5 - 6 liters per hundred kilometers. Then the following question arises: how long will such a model pay for itself? It all depends on the cost of a hybrid car, which costs 3-4 thousand dollars more than the usual one. According to experts, the Toyota Camry Hybrid we are considering will fully pay for itself in about five years.

If you use a car for trips to the store or to work, then you should not buy such a specialized version of the car. In such a purchase, such an acquisition will not be economically viable, and even after a couple of years you may become eager to change cars. But drivers who use their car to earn money, such a model will come in handy. In a few years, with such a purchase, you will get a profit, moreover, you will save up to 50% on fuel from the original cost.

Low speed saves energy

Now let's move on to the Toyota Prius C. Many drivers complain about the slowness of this car. We do not hide it, it is, only for trips around the city you do not need a powerful car engine. Many modern fuel cars have an economical mode to conserve energy during traffic jams. In contrast, the Toyota Prius C is characterized by excellent savings, when turned on, the car performs better and responds faster to the driver's demands.

But the powerful versions of hybrid cars are in no way inferior to their gasoline-powered counterparts. For example, the Lexus GS450h has high speed qualities with an engine of 338 horsepower. Such an environmentally friendly car will greatly please fans of fast driving. To do this, you just need to use the Sport S mode.

Not so long ago, Porshe presented a sports eco-sedan Panamera S, capable of accelerating in 5.7 seconds to 100 km / h. The maximum speed of the car is 270 km / h, and fuel consumption when driving around the city is only 10 liters. Fuel vehicles can only envy such characteristics.

handsometh design

Those distant times, in which hybrid cars looked like alien structures, are long gone. Now these models are not inferior in design to ordinary gasoline cars. It turns out that the hybrid looks exactly like its fuel version (for example, Toyota Camry). Some manufacturers specifically highlight hybrids with a unique design. For example, the eco-friendly Ford Fusion is very similar in appearance to an expensive sports car.

Suitable for long trips

At first, the produced eco-models were suitable for trips only within the city. Because of this flaw, drivers still do not believe that the hybrid has remained a city car. We assure you that this is not the case, manufacturers have greatly improved the technology of the electric motor over time. Today, a hybrid car is able to hold a charge during long trips between cities. At the same time, the speed and volume of the battery will not change in any way. A good example is the Ford Fusion, which can travel over a hundred miles on a single electric motor. And if it is discharged, you can easily connect a gasoline engine to work.

Most popular models:

Toyota Prius, the first car with a hybrid engine of current models today. The car effectively saves fuel, and also attracts at an affordable price. Engine capacity - 1.8 liters, power - 36 horsepower, add to this two electric motors and a powerful gasoline engine. The existing two motors function perfectly with each other, as a result of which it is easy to gain high speed on such a hybrid.
Toyota Camry Hybrid. A safe and economical model with an engine of 200 horsepower makes it possible to accelerate to 100 km / h in a minimum time of 7.4 seconds. The design is no different from the fuel analogue.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a family car with a high level of comfort due to its spacious interior. An engine with a volume of 2.5 liters will only please a family man when buying such a hybrid.

We have reviewed all the eco-models of cars that have been popular with motorists in recent years. And the conclusion is this: hybrid cars have made a big leap, improving the engines and the time of the car itself. Now you can drive such cars both for long distances, and to the store or to the cinema. By purchasing such a model, you can save money and not harm the environment with exhaust gases.

A hybrid engine (or hybrid) is a power plant that uses several types of fuel (two or more sources) and the synergistic effect of their combined use. It can be gasoline and electricity, gasoline and gas, diesel and electricity, hydrogen, gasoline and electricity, and many other combinations. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to do this.

History of hybrid engines.

Considering a hybrid engine as some kind of cutting-edge invention is a slight delusion. Yes, modern hybrids are a high-tech engineering project, but if you look closely, the hybrid engine dates back to the 19th-20th centuries. So, in 1897, the French company Parisienne des Voitures Electriques began to produce cars with hybrid engines.

A little later, in 1900, the famous American corporation General Electric began to master the production of hybrids. Interestingly, hybrid trucks were manufactured in Chicago until 1940, although, in general, this was a non-serial production.

Hybrid technology did not take root at that time for several reasons. First, fuel and energy prices in those years were so low that they discouraged any economic viability of producing hybrids. Secondly, the power of a conventional gasoline engine was definitely much greater then.

The energy crisis of recent years, associated with the rapid rise in energy prices, as well as the tightening of environmental regulations, have spurred manufacturers to develop and produce new generation efficient hybrid engines. A modern hybrid is, as a rule, a system of two main power plants: gasoline (or diesel) and electric. In addition to them, several more providing nodes are involved in the chain. For example, they can be: an electric generator, a battery (accumulates charge), an inverter (converts direct current to alternating current) and an electronic variator. All this is controlled and controlled by a modern powerful computer, which increases the efficiency of energy use by dozens of times compared to traditional manual or analog control. The fuel part of the system can work simultaneously with the electric part, but separate cycles are also provided. It is important that during the operation of the fuel system, the electric one does not stand idle, but accumulates (accumulates) energy.

The device, the principle of operation of a hybrid engine. To date, there are several types of hybrids:

Sequential (series hybrid). In this scheme, the internal combustion engine drives a generator, the electricity from which powers the electric motor. The latter, in turn, rotates the wheels of the car. This approach allows the use of a low power gasoline engine, provided that it will constantly operate at maximum efficiency. Cars with this layout tend to be small and have a large battery (such as the Chevrolet Volt);
Parallel (parallel hybrid). In this case, the wheels of the car are driven by both a gasoline engine and an electric one. Depending on driving conditions, the electric motor can generate additional power. This pattern is very common. The batteries in this case are compact and are charged directly while the vehicle is moving. The main disadvantage here is that the electric motor cannot simultaneously rotate the wheels and charge the battery. A similar scheme is implemented on Civic Hybrid and Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid cars;
Series-parallel (mixed). From the name it is easy to assume that the third type combines the two previous ones. At the moment, this is the most efficient hybrid scheme. Combined traction (petrol engine plus electric motor) can be used to turn the wheels. In addition, an electric motor can simultaneously generate electricity (act as a generator) and generate thrust (as a motor). The disadvantage of the scheme is its very high cost.

An example of a mixed circuit is the Hybrid Synergy Drive from Lexus (Toyota). There is a 3.3-liter gasoline engine, 2 electric motors and a battery. For communication between these three structural elements, a power distribution device with a compact planetary gear is used, which reduces energy losses due to friction. To control the energy flows, there is a control unit and a semiconductor switching device. The inverter in the HSD unit converts the DC battery current into AC power for the motor.

An electric motor is used to move the car at low speeds and to start. This allows you to save gasoline and move off smoothly. When switching to normal driving mode, the gasoline engine is turned on, which works in parallel with the electric motors. Excess energy is given to the battery. During acceleration, the internal combustion engine is actively working. In braking mode, the so-called regenerative braking system is used, when the electric motors operate in generator mode, recharging the battery. Those. in the main modes of operation, a gasoline engine is used, and in intermediate (transitional) electric ones.

Advantages and disadvantages of a hybrid engine. Of course, despite the high level of technology, the hybrid installation has both undeniable advantages and some disadvantages that leading engineers continue to work on. Let's start with the advantages:

efficient fuel consumption and saving up to 35%;
low level of toxicity of exhaust gases;
low noise;
excellent handling and smoother acceleration of the car;
full control of the installation using the on-board computer and electronic systems;
hybrid vehicle battery components are easy to dispose of and recycle;
regenerative braking system helps conserve energy;
long battery life in a hybrid vehicle.

Among the disadvantages of hybrids, it is worth mentioning the following:

the high cost of cars with a hybrid power plant;
high cost of spare parts and repairs. It is unlikely that it will be possible to repair it on your own, and so far such cars can only be provided with a full-fledged service in very large cities. In addition, there may be hitches with the supply of the necessary spare parts;
the electrical system does not tolerate significant temperature changes.

A popular misconception about hybrid engines is the loss of power and efficiency of the propulsion system. This is not so, the power of the hybrid is in order. In addition, no special fuel is required for refueling.

The world's leading automakers have already appreciated the benefits of hybrid engines. Every year the number of hybrid cars is growing, gaining more and more popularity among drivers. The markets are expanding. The hybrid engine is a real masterpiece of engineering, an ultra-modern economical and environmentally friendly device, which holds the near future of the global automotive industry. In view of the rise in the cost of hydrocarbon fuel, we can safely predict that in 5-10 years hybrid power plants will be widely distributed throughout the world.