You’ve probably seen hybrid vehicles everywhere you go. The Toyota Prius is probably the most well-known, but it seems like everyone is making a hybrid today, including Honda, Hyundai, Chevy, Ford, and Kia to name a few.
You may be asking yourself, what exactly is a hybrid vehicle and how is it different from an electric vehicle.
Glad you asked! Let’s talk about hybrids and how they differ from an EV.
What Exactly is a Hybrid?
As the name implies, a hybrid is a combination of two different but similar species. You see hybrid plants, roses, fruits, and vegetables all the time but when we are speaking of cars, a hybrid contains both an electric motor and a regular gas motor.
When the vehicle doesn’t need much energy, it uses a high voltage battery pack to operate the electric motor. If you are coasting downhill or sitting at a stoplight, both motors stop working to save both gas and the stored energy in the battery.
Most hybrids do not require a plug-in as an EV does. They use either the charging system from the gas engine or they use a special type of braking system that charges the battery whenever you apply the brakes.
Three Types of Hybrids
- Parallel Design : This is the most common type of hybrid. It contains an electric motor and a gas engine that are both connected to the transmission, which can blend the two power sources. The Toyota Prius uses a parallel design, as does the Chevy Volt, but Ford, Honda, and Nissan also have models that use a parallel design.
- The Series Design : With this design, the electric motor does all the thrusting, and there is never a mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels. With this design, the gas engine is there only to keep the batteries charged. This is very similar to an electric car feel, but unlike EVs, you never have to worry about running out of juice. The BMW13 uses a series design engine.
- Plug-In Design : While most hybrids do not require a plug, some models do. Plug-in hybrids are not charged from the gas engine or the braking system. They rely solely on charging stations. If you should run out of battery power, there is a gas engine you can rely on. The Chrysler Pacifica is one example of a plug-in hybrid.
At the End of the Day
For those of you who don’t feel comfortable with an EV and worry that you will run out of power, a hybrid might be the perfect solution for you.
Got questions about your hybrid vehicle or EV? The pros at Bockman’s Auto, Truck & Tire will be happy to answer all your questions. We can also service your hybrid or EV for far less than the dealer charges.
Call Bockman’s Auto, Truck & Tire today. You’ll be glad you did.
5 Easy Ways to Extend the Life of the Battery in Your EV or Hybrid
Perhaps more than ever before, it seems like everything runs on batteries. Lithium batteries, rechargeable batteries, even your EV or hybrid runs on a very expensive battery.
If your phone needs a new battery, you can replace it or simply get another phone, but EV and hybrid cars still carry a hefty price tag, so this really isn’t an option for most people.
Did you know that there are steps you can take to prolong the life of that battery?
While the batteries that operate your EV or hybrid are really, really good, they can be even better and last longer by following just a few hacks.
Top Hacks for Extending Battery Life
These tips are so easy, you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of them yourself!
Hack #1- Avoid Fast Charging
Of course, everyone wants to get their ride back on the road ASAP and manufacturers know that if they tell you not to fast charge, you’ll start thinking about how fast it is to fill up a regular gas tank with fuel. If you must recharge quickly, be sure that it doesn’t become a habit. Like adding candy to your diet, a little bit now and again won’t hurt you, but it shouldn’t become a staple in your diet. The same is true with quick recharges.
Hack #2- Minimize the Amount of Time the Battery Stays At 100% Charged
While that nice 100% number gives you peace of mind, resist the urge to leave your EV or hybrid plugged in all night every night. If you generally use 30 to 40% of the battery life daily, it’s better to let it charge to 70-80 percent, then unplug it. Smart chargers are well worth the money as they will anticipate your daily driving needs and charge the battery accordingly.
Hack #3- Minimize the Amount of Time the Battery Spends at Zero
While most battery management systems will turn off the vehicle before you hit zero percent charge, leaving the car unplugged long enough that the battery hits zero and stays there is hard on the battery. Take the battery to 25 or 30 percent, then recharge it.
Hack #4- Minimize Extremely Hot Temperatures
Try to park your EV or Hybrid in the shade whenever temps go over 90 degrees. If possible, leave the vehicle plugged in so the thermal management system can function and help maintain the battery.
Hack #5- Minimize Exposure to Very Low Temperatures
You should also avoid leaving the vehicle unplugged during very low temps. Leaving your EV or hybrid plugged in will allow the thermal management system to keep the battery warm. Depending on the make of your vehicle, some systems will run the thermal management system automatically even if the car is not plugged in and it will keep running until the battery life hits 15 percent. On a really cold day, the chances that your car will start are minimal.
The Good the Bad and the Ugly
No one wants to park their EV only to discover that the battery is below 15 percent, and it can’t be started until it is charged.
In short, the things that EV and hybrid batteries hate are being unplugged in extreme temps, being fully charged all the time, being discharged all the time, and frequent fast charging.
Is this all very confusing? Call or stop by Bockman’s Auto, Truck & Tire. We will be happy to inspect your vehicle and explain things in detail so that you feel comfortable with your EV or hybrid, no matter where it may take you.
