A few years back, if you went to buy a car, you mostly used to get two fuel options, petrol and diesel. However, electric cars soon came into existence. But now we also have another option, which is a hybrid car. It's a car where a traditional combustion engine and electric motor coexist to power the car's movement. In this blog, let's explore what a hybrid car in India is and how a hybrid car works. Moreover, you'll also learn a bit about the advantage and disadvantage of a hybrid car.
Hybrid cars are a great alternative to traditional and all-electric cars. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of hybrid cars. But before that, we will learn what a hybrid car is and how it works. Moreover, we will also discuss the importance of car insurance when you buy a hybrid car.
What is a hybrid car?
As its name suggests, a hybrid car runs on more than one type of fuel. However, it can be better defined as a car that runs on petrol, diesel, and electricity. That's why the car becomes more fuel efficient, giving you better mileage, while also emitting less carbon dioxide.
There are many types of hybrid cars today, most of which run on the concept of regenerative braking. However, plug-in hybrids also differ from a typical hybrid car. Let's now look at how a hybrid car works and what benefits it gives to the owner and the environment.
How Does a Hybrid Car Work?
A combustion engine and an electrical motor power a hybrid car's working. The internal combustion engine works just like it works in a traditional car. It provides power to the car by burning fossil fuels like petrol or diesel. However, it also has one electric motor and batteries, giving it the power to run like an electric car. Since the car has an electrical motor, the car companies can fit a smaller engine instead of a bigger combustion engine.
Now, let's understand how batteries are charged in a hybrid car. That's where most hybrid cars differ from plug-in hybrids. Most of the hybrid cars charge their batteries with regenerative braking. This means that when the driver applies brakes to the hybrid car, it converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy and stores it in the batteries. However, in plug-in hybrid cars, the electrical motor's battery can also be charged by plugging in a charger, just like you do in an all-electric car. So, that's how a hybrid car works. But the question is, what are the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid cars? Let's have a look at them.
What are The Advantages of Hybrid Cars?
- Environmentally friendly
Firstly, these cars are eco-friendly because they have a motor and a battery. It gives the car additional power, lowering its dependency on combustion engines and traditional fuels like petrol and diesel.
- Regenerative Braking
One of the best advantages of hybrid electric vehicles is regenerative braking. This allows the car to charge its battery on its own without needing to plug in an external charger.
- Lesser Maintenance Costs
In addition to the direct benefits of the car, the maintenance cost of a hybrid car also turns out to be less than that of traditional cars. For example, the oil changes in a hybrid car are not as frequent as in traditional cars.
- Better Resale Value
Usually, a car’s resale value is lower than expected. But that’s not the case with a hybrid car. Hybrid cars have a better resale value because their popularity is growing exponentially.
What are the disadvantages of hybrid cars?
- Expensive than traditional cars
A disadvantage that comes with an electric car is that hybrid cars are more expensive than traditional cars.
- Lesser power
With this combination of a traditional engine and electric motor, the car's power is compromised, resulting in less power.
- Increased risk due to batteries
With high-voltage batteries in a hybrid car, the risk of an accident increases. That's why car insurance is important even if you drive a hybrid car.
You can buy comprehensive car insurance online for your hybrid car to cover the damages to your car, passengers, and any third party involved in the accident. So, click here and check the best car insurance available online only on Future Generali.
A hybrid car is a mix of a traditional combustion engine and an electric motor, just like one in an all-electric car. It gives the car more mileage than usual cars. The batteries of the hybrid cars get charged with regenerative braking. Moreover, a hybrid car has many benefits, like its eco-friendly nature, taxation benefits, and many more. However, disadvantages like lesser power and high cost are also there. Therefore, there is a great demand for electric cars in India and it's only increasing.
