A hybrid car’s engine and motor perform and operate differently depending on what type of driving you are doing. Your hybrid car will act differently in different situations. Sometimes the electric motor is operating; sometimes the gasoline engine and sometimes they are both working together. To get the best gas mileage you can; it is wise to understand how a hybrid vehicle works.
When you are at a full stop, such as a stop sign, usually the gas engine shuts off. This eliminates idling and reduces emissions. The electric motor is used to start the vehicle in motion when you push on the gas pedal. In cities and where there is a lot of stop and go traffic a hybrid vehicle can save you a lot of fuel.
When you are first starting off from a stop and when you are driving below 15 mph the electric motor runs the car by using its battery pack. The gas engine turns on and off as needed when you are driving your car. If you have a lead foot and floor the gas pedal when a light turns green you will not be saving as much on fuel. This is because heavy acceleration calls for extra power and causes the gas engine to start running.
During heavy acceleration usually the power comes from both the engine and the motor working together. During typical highway driving usually the vehicle is being powered by the gas engine. This is also when the gas engine is charging the electric motor battery pack.
The main reason why you never have to plug-in a hybrid car is because when you brake gently or coast you are actually charging the electric motor’s battery pack. The electrical motor acts like a generator to charge the battery pack.
Understanding how a hybrid vehicle works will help you to get the best fuel mileage and help clean up the environment.
