by Pauline Abreu

Created on: July 31, 2008   Last Updated: January 04, 2009

Hybrid cars not only have a standard gasoline engine, but they also have an electrical powered motor too. The idea of a car like this is, that the car only uses gasoline as it is needed in order to reduce the unnecessary burning of gas. The electric motor is used during times when the car is going at a slow speed. This motor uses a lot of rechargeable batteries to enable the motor to function. During the slowing down process the wheels of the car will automatically be powered by an electric generator. The generator converts the energy back into electricity to recharge the cars batteries.

Computers are used to engage the standard gasoline engine when the car is doing highway speeds. Variable valve timing intelligence ensures the gas is used efficiently. The good thing about the hybrid car is that it can use both the electric and the standard power as and when the need arises. For example, if the car is going slow on a highway, then needs more power to pass a slower vehicle, the on-board computer senses this and activates the electric motor to give the car a boost of power. The gas motor will automatically come into use if the electric motors batteries run low. The gas engine will run the electric motor when it is necessary, that is why there is never a need to plug these cars in to recharge the batteries. These cars don't waste fuel while they are stopped, when they are at traffic signals there is no fuel being used, which makes the hybrid car an economical car to drive. Another economical issue is that the hybrid doesn't require fueling as much as standard cars, as it can go for 300-400 miles without needing gas. The car can get 30-60 miles per gallon, and with the sometimes high cost of fuel this is a beneficial feature.

The consumer should be careful when shopping for a hybrid type car, as some dealers are prone to passing off cars as hybrids when they are not. There are five basic requirements that make a car a hybrid, these are:

1. The Idle Off Feature

This allows the gas to be switched off when the engine is in the idling position. This allows the car to save fuel, and be more economical. Some dealers will claim that this is a feature on certain cars they will be selling, but sometimes it has just been a half-hearted attempt at making the car a hybrid. However, this can't be classed as a hybrid without all the other features listed below.

2. Regenarative Braking System

The electric motor stores energy from the braking system to be converted to power when the car needs it.

3. Power Assistance and Engine Downsizing

A hybrid is classified as such when a car uses two engines to power the vehicle. The motor and battery pack should be large enough where the electric motor is able to take over from the standard motor.

4. Electric Only Capability

The motor should be able to run on the electric motor alone. If a car can't do this, it's not classed as a hybrid car.

5. Electric Range

True hybrids don't have to be plugged in to an electrical source to recharge the batteries.

This is the basics of what to look for when buying a hybrid car. If all of these features are incorporated within the same vehicle, then it can be classed as a hybrid car.

Learn more about this author, Pauline Abreu.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.