Understanding the Meaning of Hybrid Cars and Their Types

With the advancement of technology in the automotive world, hybrid cars have become a term that is heard more frequently. But what is the meaning of a hybrid car, how does it differ from conventional cars, and what are the different types? To find out, please read our explanation in the following article.

 

MPMRent is a reliable car rental company with 8 branch offices and 18 representative branches spread in Indonesia. We have a variety of vehicle fleets, including hybrid cars. You should know that hybrid cars are currently one of the types of cars that have many enthusiasts. This is because an increasing number of consumers are looking for more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.

 

Major automotive manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, and BMW have also developed various hybrid car models to meet market demand. Even at the last MotoGP 2022 event, the Safety Car used hybrid technology, namely the BMW 330e M Sport. This vehicle is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) that offers efficient driving capabilities without generating local emissions. However, unfortunately, despite the increasing popularity of electrification technology, the Safety Car chosen for MotoGP 2023 does not incorporate this technology

 

If you are interested in using short-term car rental services with hybrid cars and want to learn more about what a hybrid car is, we present an explanation for you. Let's find out!

 

What Is the Meaning of a Hybrid Car?

A hybrid car is a vehicle that generally uses two different propulsion systems to move. These propulsion systems typically consist of an internal combustion engine (usually gasoline or diesel) and an electric motor. So, a hybrid car is a vehicle with hybrid technology that combines two different energy sources to maintain its performance while achieving better fuel efficiency.

 

Hybrid cars can operate in several different modes, including using the internal combustion engine, the electric motor, or a combination of both, depending on speed, load, and driving conditions. Usually, when a hybrid car is running at low speeds or in traffic conditions, it often uses an electric motor to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. However, when additional power is needed, the internal combustion engine can become active to provide extra power.

 

Differences Between Hybrid Cars and Conventional Cars

To help you better understand what a hybrid car means, here are some things that differentiate it from conventional cars:

 

1. Main propulsion system

• Conventional cars: conventional cars use an internal combustion engine (typically gasoline or diesel) as the primary source of power to propel the vehicle.
• Hybrid cars: hybrid cars use two or more power sources, such as an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, to propel the vehicle. The electric motor can function as either an additional or the primary source of power depending on driving conditions.

 

2. Fuel efficiency

• Conventional cars: conventional cars generally tend to be less fuel-efficient, especially in heavy traffic conditions or at low speeds, because they rely on the internal combustion engine constantly running.
• Hybrid cars: hybrid cars are designed to improve fuel efficiency. When operating at low speeds or under certain conditions, the electric motor can propel the vehicle without using the internal combustion engine, reducing fuel consumption.

 

3. Emissions and the environment

• Conventional cars: conventional cars typically produce higher vehicle emissions compared to hybrid cars because their internal combustion engines continuously operate while the vehicle is in motion.
• Hybrid cars: hybrid cars have the potential to reduce vehicle emissions because they can use cleaner and environmentally friendly electric power.

 

Read Also: List of Electric Car Rental Prices in Jakarta

 

Types of Hybrid Cars and How They Work

Currently, most car manufacturers worldwide are developing cars with three types of hybrid systems: mild hybrid, full hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. Here is a more detailed explanation of these three types of hybrid systems:

 

1. Mild Hybrid

One of the latest innovations in hybrid technology is the "mild" hybrid system. As the name suggests, a mild hybrid system typically won't propel the vehicle solely using electric power. Instead, this system is used to provide a small boost to the vehicle's gasoline engine, typically during acceleration from a complete stop, and to assist in reducing the load on power-hungry systems like air conditioning in the gasoline engine.

 

It's important to note that mild hybrids generally use a 48-volt electrical system. These hybrid systems also do not need to be plugged into an external power source because the battery is recharged through power from the gasoline engine and energy recovered when the vehicle brakes (known as regenerative braking).

 

2. Full hybrid

Like mild hybrids, vehicles with full hybrid systems also come equipped with both a gasoline engine and electric components. However, the electric component in a full hybrid vehicle can handle a much larger workload than that of a mild hybrid. Most full hybrid vehicles can operate solely on electric power, but typically only for a limited distance and at low speeds.

 

When it comes to full hybrid vehicles, it's important to note that there are several main types of powertrains:

• Parallel Hybrid: The engine can be powered in one of three ways: directly by the engine, directly by the electric motor, or by both systems working together.
• Series Hybrid: The wheels are powered solely by the electric motor, with the gasoline engine providing power to the electric motor, functioning like a generator. In this case, the gasoline engine never directly powers the wheels.
• Series-Parallel Hybrid: With advancements in hybrid technology, some vehicles operate as a combination of the two types mentioned above (known as "series-parallel" hybrids), with an onboard computer system choosing the most efficient operating mode at any given time.

 

3. Plug-in hybrid

All the hybrid vehicles discussed previously recharge their batteries solely through internal means. The term "plug-in hybrid" refers to hybrid vehicles that can recharge their batteries through external chargers as well as through internal means. As a result, vehicles using a plug-in hybrid system typically have a greater electric-only range compared to full hybrids. Essentially, plug-in hybrids serve as an intermediary between full hybrid vehicles and fully electric (pure electric) vehicles.

 

Read Also: The Pros & Cons of Electric Cars to Know Before You Buy Them!

 

From the explanations above, you can better understand the meaning of a hybrid car. In essence, these types of vehicles combine fossil fuel technology with electric motors to reduce pollutant emissions and improve fuel efficiency. If you're interested in renting a hybrid car for daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly use, please contact MPMRent. We are always ready to assist you!