The Honda Insight and Toyota Prius introduced hybrid cars in the 1990s, revolutionizing fuel efficiency. Hybrid and electric vehicles now make up 16.3% of U.S. car sales, with hybrids expected to exceed 20% in 2024. Automakers are increasing production to meet demand for hybrids.
A hybrid car combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor for power. The electric motor is smaller than in fully electric vehicles, and the engine is tuned for efficiency. This dual power source provides better fuel economy and reduced emissions, making hybrids popular among drivers.
The Toyota Prius, the most successful hybrid vehicle, showcases the evolution of hybrid technology. Hybrids are more complex to design and produce compared to traditional cars due to the combination of ICE and electric power. There are four types of hybrid cars: mild, parallel, series, and plug-in hybrids. Mild hybrids offer slight fuel economy gains, while parallel hybrids allow both the engine and electric motor to provide power. Series hybrids, like the Chevrolet Volt, use the engine as a generator to charge the battery. Cars like the Honda Accord Hybrid operate in both parallel and series modes.
Plug-in hybrids, like electric cars, can be charged externally for extended electric-only driving range. Today, hybrids are available across vehicle types, from hatchbacks like the Toyota Prius to SUVs like the RAV4 and even pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 and off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler.
Non-hybrids are solely powered by internal combustion engines, while electric cars eliminate combustion engines in favor of electric motors. As concerns about emissions grow, carmakers are increasingly investing in electric vehicle technology to reduce carbon emissions from traditional ICE vehicles.
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