A hybrid car is considered to be a vehicle that combines at least one electric motor and internal combustion engine.
Hybrid cars are divided into several types. In less common serial hybrids, the movement of the car is carried out only through the electric motor. The petrol motor is not connected to the transmission and serves only to charge the battery if necessary.
More common type are parallel hybrids, where the internal combustion engine and electric motor are connected so that they can work together when the car is moving. The electric motor also acts as a generator that charges the battery when stopped or driven by inertia.
Power split hybrids combine the best of parallel and serial technologies. Тhe internal combustion engine can participate both in the driving of the car and in charging the battery via a separate generator.
In hybrids with distribution between the axles, one engine is connected to the front axle and the other to the rear axle of the car.
In mild hybrids, the electric motor has a complementary function. He can assist the start - up, acceleration and operation of systems in the vehicle when stationary while the petrol or diesel engine is not running. These hybrids use a relatively small capacity battery, which works at low voltage..
In full hybrids, in addition to the main functions of the electric motor, it can selfpropel the car under certain conditions, and the battery provides a certain mileage. Electric motors in this type of hybrid are more powerful, and the batteries have a higher voltage and higher capacity.
Although less common, electric cars with range extender can also be considered as hybrids. They have a small gasoline engine that serves only to charge the battery if it is not possible to do so via the electrical grid.
Kinetic energy can be converted into electrical energy by the electric motor, which also plays the role of a generator charging the battery. This occurs at the so-called regenerative braking, where the car first brakes with the electric motor and ultimately with the car's braking systems. Electricity is also produced during the inertial motion of the car.
Plug-in hybrids can also be charged via an external source of electricity using the standard grid for normal charging or specialized stations for fast charging, as well as via mobile stations.
Additional energy can be generated from solar panels mounted on roofs of car parks with fast charging stations for hybrids and electric cars.