How Hybrid Cars Save Energy

Hybrid cars have advantages over standard ones.

Hybrid cars save energy by using less gasoline; they alternate which source of power they are using, depending on the type of driving. Besides saving energy, these cars also have other benefits.

Function

Hybrid cars alternate between batteries and fuel. The batteries are lithium polymer and the fuel is traditional liquid petroleum gas. The electric power from the battery is used for city driving and the gas is used for highway.

Considerations

Hybrid cars save energy during city driving. Gasoline engines are designed for accelerating on open roads or highways. They are their highest efficiency when going at higher speeds in comparison with their inefficiency and high gas consumption when waiting at a red light or in traffic.

Benefits

Besides saving energy by going electric when driving in a city, hybrid cars also have other benefits. First, they reduce the effect on the environment by lowering CO2 emissions by reduced gasoline consumption. Secondly, they reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil. Finally, the battery can be recharged many times through a household plug. Electricity is a renewable resource that can be produced through environmentally safe means such as wind or solar.

References

• Energy Saving Secrets: Hybrid Cars
• Live Science: How Hybrids work
• Hybrid Car: Electricity