Introduction
With the shift of the contemporary economies to green technologies and the reduction of conventional fuel use in transportation, the search for alternative energy has become a priority. In the context of vehicles used for domestic purposes, the transition to hybrid cars, which incorporate at least two energy sources in the same vehicle, has become rather popular. This paper is designed to explore the history, types, construction, operation, and advantages of hybrid cars to validate their environmental and economic worth.
History of Hybrid Cars
While the concept of hybrid cars has existed for many decades, the advancement of such a vehicle started with the popularization of sustainable goals in economies. Indeed, according to Pielecha et al., “it has been 20 years since the first serial production of full hybrid vehicles by Toyota” (14). The need for such automobiles has occurred due to the technological development of the industry and the public’s request for environment-friendly means of transportation.
Types of Hybrid Cars, Their Construction, and Operation
Hybrid cars types are categorized depending on the principles of their construction and operation. In general, as an example of Toyota hybrid car specifications shows, a hybrid car includes a combustion engine, an electric engine, a battery, and a hybrid drive system (Pielecha et al. 14). The first type is a full hybrid car; it operates by using the electric engine and the internal combustion one either at the same time or independently (Auto Express). The second type is the mild hybrid, where the two engines cannot work together but rather “the small electric motor is used solely to assist the engine” (Auto Express para. 11). The third type is referred to as series, which works on the electric engine only; “the gas engine or a generator plays the role of recharging the battery packs of the motor” (Asim et al. 37). The fourth type is parallel, which involves both engines’ contribution without the ability to switch off the motor (Asim et al. 37). Thus, the different types of hybrid cars allow for a diverse integration of both types of engines to benefit energy use.
Benefits of Hybrid Cars
Given the overall motivation of the producers of hybrid cars to comply with green economy perspectives, the benefits of such vehicles are related to the environment and economy. Indeed, according to Asim et al., the use of hybrid cars in comparison to conventional automobiles allows for reducing the carbon footprint (38). Moreover, the use of efficient lithium-ion batteries reduces costs for energy use and allows for improving the sustainable potential of the transportation means. The reduction of conventional petrol fuel use implies both environmental and economic advantages (Pielecha et al. 14). Finally, the social benefits or the advantages faced by users include the convenience of maintenance, cost-efficiency of repairs, and energy use, as well as the contribution to the development of the green economy.
Conclusion
In summation, the overview of hybrid cars has demonstrated that the shift from conventional fuel systems to hybrid cars is a beneficial endeavor. The availability of different types of hybrid cars allows for satisfying a wide range of consumers’ needs. The technology-driven construction and operation provide these vehicles with unique reliability and sustainability characteristics, which validate their environmental-friendly status. Thus, the production and use of hybrid cars is a reasonable effort that should be encouraged both for car-producing companies and drivers.
Works Cited
Auto Express. “What is a Hybrid Car? Mild Hybrids, Full Hybrids and Plug-in Hybrids Explained.” 2021.
Asim, Nadia, et al. “The Social and Environmental Impact of Hybrid Cars.” International Journal of Research in Entrepreneurship & Business Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, 2020, pp. 36-47.
Pielecha, Ireneusz, et al. “Analysis of Energy Management Strategies for Hybrid Electric Vehicles in Urban Driving Conditions.” Combustion Engines, vol. 173, no. 2, 2018, pp. 14-18.