Hybrid cars have opened up a new chapter in the car industry. Many of the mainstream car manufacturers are manufacturing hybrid cars, or planning to manufacture hybrid cars. The first luxury carmaker Lexus has already launched a very successful line of hybrid cars. They have shown the way to other luxury cars manufacturers that there are customers who want to make the planet greener, and are concerned about the environment.
When it comes to use the hybrid technology, one cannot compromise in terms of performance, or luxury. The hybrid cars can work with either the gasoline engine, or an electric motor. The batteries provide the power to its electric motor, and the gasoline engine works with the petrol in the fuel tank.
The advent of computers being used in managing hybrid cars has made a very big contribution in making the hybrid car a success. The second biggest innovation used in hybrid cars is the intricate gearbox. The computer controls the gearbox, and determines which power source to use to propel the car or to use both when extra power is needed.
The utilisation of regenerative power when brakes are applied, and the start/stop technology are the two other innovations used in hybrid cars. The computer switches the electric motor to act as a generator, and use the slowing down power to charge the batteries, when the brakes are applied in a hybrid car. When the car is stationary, or waiting at a traffic signal, the start/stop technology shuts off the petrol engine.
In order to transfer maximum power to propel the car using the minimum force, more intricate gearboxes have been made. As two power sources are used in a typical hybrid car to propel the car, so a smart computer was essential to carry out this function. A computer completely controls the operation of a hybrid car. Several myths are there about hybrid cars that need to be dispelled.
The first myth is that hybrid cars are more expensive than conventional cars. The up front cost of a hybrid maybe more than that of a conventional cost. However, the long term saving in cost of fuel, lower road tax should also be taken into account. When the figures are added up, it shows that hybrid cars are cheaper in the end. The second myth is that people think that a hybrid car needs to be plugged in to a power source to recharge the batteries. Not true, as the regenerative braking power is used to charge the batteries.
The third myth is that the hybrid cars batteries are expensive, and do not last long. Again, this is completely wrong. The batteries of a hybrid car will last for 150,000 to 200,000 miles. That is far longer than the life of the cam belt, and rings on a conventional car. The fourth myth that needs to be dispelled is that hybrid cars lack performance.
This again is wrong as a hybrid car draws power from two sources, and the second source kicks in immediately when a power boost is required, like when over taking, or climbing up a slope. Hybrid cars are going to get cheaper, as car manufacturers are busy working with researchers to improve batteries, build lighter cars, and a whole host of latest innovations.
Discover more about Lexus Hybrid Cars, visit the Lexus website for more information and to book a test drive.
