Hybrid cars are seriously underestimated in South Africa and may not have been sufficiently marketed when it comes to the future of the motor industry in our country.
Buying a hybrid vehicle will not only benefit the environment but will save on fuel costs as well. But what is a hybrid car and how can motorists benefit from such vehicles?
What is a hybrid car? 1
A hybrid car is driven by more than one motor. It’s a combination of a standard petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor. A hybrid car consumes less fuel and thus emits less CO2 gas than standard petrol or diesel engines.
How do they work? 1
There are three different types of hybrid cars, but all of them operate with a petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor and battery.
- Parallel hybrid cars
These hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius, are the most popular amongst motorists. They are powered in three different ways – either via only the engine, or electric motor or via both the engine and electric motor working together.
These hybrid vehicles usually use the electric motor up until a certain speed, after which the engine kicks in.
- Range extender hybrid cars
These hybrid cars use the standard fuel-driven engine to only generate electricity to recharge the electric motor’s batteries. The car is never driven by the engine itself.
- Plug-in hybrids
These hybrids can either be plugged into an electric socket/source or they are charged while on the move. They are halfway between fuel-driven cars and fully electric cars. Their batteries that supply the electric motors are larger than those of regular hybrids. As a result, such cars can drive longer distances on the electric motor alone.
Benefits of buying a hybrid car2
- Fuel saver
Hybrids are awesome fuel savers as they are battery-assisted cars. When stuck in highly congested traffic, the car runs on battery power alone, drastically reducing fuel costs.
- Environmentally friendly and low emissions
Hybrid cars release fewer greenhouse gases such as CO2 into the atmosphere, thus leaving a smaller carbon footprint. They help keep the air cleaner in major urban areas, where roads are more congested.
- Instant acceleration
Hybrid cars use their electric motors when pulling off. Because the electric motor provides instant torque, the car accelerates immediately, which is not the case with fuel-driven cars, where the engine revs have to first be sufficiently high.
- No idling
Most fuel is wasted by stationary, idling cars. Also, unnecessary CO2 emissions are released into the environment, causing pollution. Hybrid cars switch to their electric motors when they come to a stop, preventing them from idling aimlessly. This results in saving fuel and minimises the release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
- Drive more conscientiously
The car’s on-board computer teaches you to be more conscientious when driving. It makes you more aware of how to save fuel and battery power by being light on the throttle. In this way, you adapt to a new and better way of driving.
- Regenerative braking
When a fuel-driven car brakes, all the released energy just turns to wasted heat. On the other hand, in the case of a hybrid car, energy generated by braking is not wasted. The electric motor becomes a generator and sends electricity back into the battery, recharging it in the process.
Hybrid cars are the first step in the right direction to help save the environment and save on fuel costs. Why not consider buying a hybrid vehicle when it’s time to buy a new car? Have you planned for car insurance when buying your new car? Get affordable car insurance with PMD.
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040 (car insurance and life cover products). The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Sources:
1 https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-a-hybrid-car-and-should-you-buy-one/n1290
2 https://www.autobytel.com/hybrid-cars/car-buying-guides/9-benefits-of-hybrid-cars-120071/