How Does a Prius Hybrid Work?
Hybrid vehicles "combine an electric motor and a small gas engine to provide the propulsive force required to move," according to the ecomii website. The 2010 Toyota Prius is an energy-efficient vehicle that reduces the amount of gas needed to run. Because of this, hybrid vehicles produce less emission or fewer pollutants that harm the environment.
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Identification
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The 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle gets approximately 51 miles per gallon in the city and 48 mpg on the highway, according to Toyota. The gasoline-electric vehicle seats five people. The Prius contains several staples that help it run as a hybrid, including a gasoline engine, a fuel tank, an electric motor and batteries.
Electric Power
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The Toyota Prius works by transferring power back and forth between electric power and gasoline power. "Toyota's Prius initially operates on electric power; when the car is turned on and begins to move, its electric motor provides the main propulsion," according to ecomii. The electric motor also provides jolts of energy while driving up a hill. "Electricity flows from the light-weight battery (nickel metal hydride) behind the back seat to the electric motor to provide additional power," according to ecomii.
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Gasoline Power
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While the electric motor gets the Prius started, the gas engine starts to work when the vehicle reaches approximately 10 miles per hour. Therefore, when on the highway "the gas engine provides much of the thrust," according to ecomii.com. "When the vehicle comes to a stop at a stop light, the engine shuts off. When the gas pedal is pressed, however, the electric motor kicks in, followed by the gas motor," reports ecomii. So while the electric motor provides the initial start and jolts of energy throughout a drive, the gas engine keeps the car steadily moving on the highway. Both take a rest while the car is stationary.
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