Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars are cars that can run on two types of power. So, for example, a hybrid car may offer you the option of using a standard petrol engine or an electric system. Cars here can be switched between the two systems as necessary - many drivers find that their cars run better on electric power in city/town driving and better on standard fuels on motorways and so on where they may need to drive faster.
With this kind of system the car itself decides which form of power needs to be used which means you get optimum efficiency. So, for example, if you are stuck in traffic in town and slow down your speed then the car will switch to electric power. And, if you hit the motorway and speed up then the car will switch to standard petrol power.
The electric engines here are battery powered with the batteries being recharged by the standard petrol engine in most cases. The advantages to using hybrid cars include:
- They produce fewer emissions as the electric power does not release any gases into the environment.
- They are cheaper to run as you use the right engine at any given time to be more energy efficient. The electric power option when used in city driving, for example, may give you up to twice the miles per gallon ratio than standard fuels.