Hybrid Automobiles have a
combined small internal
combustion engine with
an electric motor and battery,
which reduces fuel consumption
and tail pipe emissions. Hybrids
capture energy lost during braking
and return it to the battery using a
process called regenerative
braking. Over the past decade,
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) have
been actively developed and
marketed, especially in Japan and
the United States by Toyota and
Honda. The most effective way to
gauge a hybrid's energy security
and environmental performance is
to evaluate its fuel economy and
emissions performance on the
road. In hybrid automobiles,
depending on the degree of
electrification, the combination of
the internal combustion engine
(ICE) with an electric motor in the
hybrid drive train offers a wide
range of improvements. These
improvements are efficient fuel
consumption, emission reduction
and enhanced power performance.
In the parallel HEV drive train, the
electrical drive components
contribute power, which are
preferable when the ICE works
inefficiently or if a power boost is
needed. However, the motor power
represents only a part of the total
power and enables the size of the
electrical components to be
tailored to the requirements.
Depending on the degree of
electrification, hybrids can be
classified into the following types:
�� Micro hybrids (Stop/Start)
�� Mild hybrid (42 V)
�� Full hybrid (300 V)
Among the major hybrid
vehicles, Honda's Insight and Civic
Hybrid can be classified as mild
hybrids, while the Toyota Prius
comes closest to the vision of a
full hybrid.
Micro Hybrids
The main functionality of these
hybrids lies in switching off and
switching on the engine during
start/stop operation of the vehicle.
The belt alternator system is
considered to define the working
of micro hybrid vehicle. The starter
motor is replaced by an integrated
starter alternator system. It is
connected to the engine with the
help of tension belt for start up
operation.Micro hybrids save fuel
up to six to eight per cent
compared to conventional
vehicles. In crowded cities,micro
hybrids can offer fuel efficiencies
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