Understanding Hybrid (and PHEV!) Cars in Malaysia
Let's talk about hybrid cars and the cool middle ground of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, or PHEVs. While petrol cars might still be common now, things are changing!
Different Kinds of Hybrid Cars
There are a few different types of hybrid tech out there. Some you might know, some you kinda know, and some might be totally new!
1. Parallel Hybrids
Imagine the petrol engine and electric motor working together, like a team. Usually, the electric motor helps out when you accelerate. If the car wants power, it gets extra boost. If it wants fuel efficiency, the electric motor cuts down on petrol use when you need that extra "oomph". The petrol engine is still the main driver here.
2. Series Hybrids
Think of the petrol engine as a generator. It powers the electric motor, which then drives the wheels and charges the battery. We talked about this a bit before. Basically, the electric motor does all the driving.
3. Combined Hybrids
These cars use both parallel and series systems. Many car companies are liking this design. Electric power is great for city driving in KL or Penang, but maybe not so great for long highway drives. So, adding the petrol engine helps make the car a good all-rounder for those balik kampung trips. If you're driving like a German on the Autobahn, flooring it for 1000km, a series hybrid might struggle unless it has a really powerful engine!
4. Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs)
Instead of just getting power from braking or the petrol engine, these hybrids can be plugged into the wall to charge. This is a good way to use the battery that's already a main part of the hybrid system. A big battery and plug-in ability let the hybrid act like a fully electric car some of the time.
Just remember, bigger battery means more weight. That's why parallel hybrids are still popular in high-performance cars, while series hybrids focus more on saving fuel. And PHEV is simply a hybrid that can be plugged in, regardless of its parallel, series or combined build.
All About PHEV Batteries
Cars like the Honda eHEV or Nissan Kicks use series hybrid tech as their main drive. But, they don't plug in. So, is it effective, and will the battery last? The answer is in the tech those companies use. Japanese car companies usually make stuff that lasts!
Can a hybrid battery last as long as an EV battery? The charging is controlled by the car's computer, keeping the battery in a good state (like between 20% and 80%). This might even make it last longer than some EVs that are often drained to empty and then fully charged.
What's the advantage of a bigger PHEV battery? Think of the battery like a water tank. Every time you accelerate, it's like flushing the toilet! The petrol engine is like a pump, refilling the tank. A bigger tank means you can use it for longer before it runs out.
So, why plug it in? Plugging it in at night fills it up when you're not using the car. This saves money and lets you drive like you have an EV (for a distance depending on the battery size). Even Ferrari makes PHEVs, so you can drive home quietly at night without waking the neighbours!
If you don't plug in a PHEV, you won't get the most out of it, since using petrol to charge is more expensive than plugging in. But it should still work fine. Some Volvo T8 owners, even with their complex PHEV tech, might never plug in!
When the battery is low, some cars, like the BYD Sealion, will start the petrol engine to charge the battery at 8kW. It can be hard to understand the exact workings of the engine, motor and battery, but it doesn't really matter! Whether the tech is "good" depends on many things, like price, efficiency, how useful it is, and how long it lasts.
The shift to hybrid cars, and especially PHEVs, is happening. Understanding the tech helps you make a choice when buying a car. If you don't want to understand all this, petrol or electric cars are always an option!
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