Hybrid CarsHybrid Cars

Jessica Naveira and Nicholas ViscontiJessica Naveira and Nicholas Visconti

Hybrid Cars

By Jess Naveira and Nick Visconti

How it WorksHow it Works A hybrid car has both an internal combustion A hybrid car has both an internal combustion

engine and an electric motor that is powered by engine and an electric motor that is powered by batteries and combines them together.batteries and combines them together.

This combination allows both the batteries and This combination allows both the batteries and electric motor to help the engine operate more electric motor to help the engine operate more efficiently, not using as much fuels. efficiently, not using as much fuels.

The gasoline fueled combusted engine The gasoline fueled combusted engine conquers the limited driving range of an electric conquers the limited driving range of an electric motor. Basically, you don’t have to plug the car motor. Basically, you don’t have to plug the car in the recharge as often as stopping for gas.in the recharge as often as stopping for gas.

You get the ability to drive both using less fuel You get the ability to drive both using less fuel and never having to plug the car in to recharge.and never having to plug the car in to recharge.

Mileage of HybridsMileage of Hybrids

Honda Accord Hybrid gets about 30 MPGHonda Accord Hybrid gets about 30 MPG Honda Civic Hybrid gets about 50 MPGHonda Civic Hybrid gets about 50 MPG Lexus GS 450h gets 28 MPG (premium)Lexus GS 450h gets 28 MPG (premium) Nissan Altima Hybrid gets 39 MPGNissan Altima Hybrid gets 39 MPG Toyota Prius Hybrid gets 55 MPGToyota Prius Hybrid gets 55 MPG

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How does the battery charge?How does the battery charge? Most hybrid cars recharge their batteries by going through Most hybrid cars recharge their batteries by going through

a process called regenerative braking while driving on their a process called regenerative braking while driving on their engine power. Most hybrids DO NOT need to be plugged engine power. Most hybrids DO NOT need to be plugged in. The electric motor picks up for the slack when the in. The electric motor picks up for the slack when the battery needs to be charged. This all happens while you’re battery needs to be charged. This all happens while you’re driving. When the battery is charged, the engine switches driving. When the battery is charged, the engine switches back to running on the battery.back to running on the battery.

HOWEVER….manufactures are creating plug in hybrids to HOWEVER….manufactures are creating plug in hybrids to increase electric motor cruising time. The plug in hybrids increase electric motor cruising time. The plug in hybrids have much more powerful batteries that can be recharged have much more powerful batteries that can be recharged by plugging the vehicle into a normal outlet, like a normal by plugging the vehicle into a normal outlet, like a normal household outlet. This feature allows the vehicle to perform household outlet. This feature allows the vehicle to perform like an electric car and less than a gasoline car, all while like an electric car and less than a gasoline car, all while giving exceptional fuel mileage. giving exceptional fuel mileage.

AdvantagesAdvantages Hybrids are reliable vehicles and are as comfortable as any Hybrids are reliable vehicles and are as comfortable as any

other regular fueled car. other regular fueled car. Up until 2006, owning a Hybrid car gave you a tax benefitUp until 2006, owning a Hybrid car gave you a tax benefit Hybrids are a lot cleaner than regular fueled vehicles. They Hybrids are a lot cleaner than regular fueled vehicles. They

use less CO and other greenhouse gas emissions.use less CO and other greenhouse gas emissions. They reduce the dependency on fossil fuels which affects fuel They reduce the dependency on fossil fuels which affects fuel

prices. prices. After buying a Hybrid, owners are provided with warranties for After buying a Hybrid, owners are provided with warranties for

the battery pack, electric motor, and other expensive items.the battery pack, electric motor, and other expensive items. Perform better than normal fueled vehicles.Perform better than normal fueled vehicles. Combine clean energy from electrical motor with the power of Combine clean energy from electrical motor with the power of

the gas powered energy which causes lower emissions and the gas powered energy which causes lower emissions and improved mileage.improved mileage.

Saves money on gas!Saves money on gas!

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Hybrids cost between $2,000-$5,000 more than non-Hybrids cost between $2,000-$5,000 more than non-Hybrid cars.Hybrid cars.

They weigh more because of the battery packs.They weigh more because of the battery packs. In certain states, you may get charged additional fees for In certain states, you may get charged additional fees for

registering the car.registering the car. As a result of a bad accident, there is a risk of being As a result of a bad accident, there is a risk of being

exposed to high voltage wires. exposed to high voltage wires. Because of their complicated system, they need to be Because of their complicated system, they need to be

taken care by hybrid experienced mechanics only.taken care by hybrid experienced mechanics only. They have lower acceleration levels compared to non-They have lower acceleration levels compared to non-

Hybrid cars. Hybrid cars.

How the electric car worksHow the electric car works An electric car is a car powered by an electric motor rather An electric car is a car powered by an electric motor rather

than a gas run motor.than a gas run motor. The gasoline engine is replaced by an electric motor. The gasoline engine is replaced by an electric motor. The electric motor gets its power from a controller. The electric motor gets its power from a controller. The controller gets its power from an array of rechargeable The controller gets its power from an array of rechargeable

batteries. batteries. A gasoline engine, with its fuel lines, exhaust pipes, coolant A gasoline engine, with its fuel lines, exhaust pipes, coolant

hoses and intake manifold, tends to look like a plumbing hoses and intake manifold, tends to look like a plumbing project. project.

An electric car has a lot of wires involved.An electric car has a lot of wires involved.

Electric CarElectric Car Advantages

Simple Reliable Quiet Very safe! Environmental

Friendly!

•Disadvantages

•Expensive

•Limited Driving Distances

•Lack of Power

•Batteries often need recharging.

WOMANIZERWOMANIZERMORE HYBRIDS