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Hybrid cars

Hybrid cars are part battery-electric and part conventional cars. The underlying principle of all hybrid vehicles is the use of a temporary energy storage device (usually a battery), which enables the main engine to be operated at close to its maximum efficiency.

• How do hybrid cars work?
• What are hybrid cars like to drive?
• How do I refuel a hybrid car?
• Are hybrid cars better for the environment?
• How much do hybrid cars cost to own?
• How much do hybrid cars cost to run?
• Where can I buy a hybrid car?

Q. How do hybrid cars work? Return to top

Two types of hybrid drive have been developed. Series hybrids use a combustion engine to generate electricity, which powers an electric motor so providing motive power. In parallel hybrids, the wheels can be either directly powered by the engine or from a battery-powered electric drive-train. In both types, when the engine loading is low, the excess energy is stored for later use. When a large amount of energy is required (eg during acceleration), the main engine and the energy storage device work together to deliver the required power. In this way, hybrids provide improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.

Hybrids are classed either as mild or strong to reflect the degree of battery power incorporated into the design, strong hybrids being able to spend more time in electric-only mode. Most hybrids operate in electric/zero-emission mode at low speeds (typically less than 15 mph), which makes them ideal for urban driving. Although on-board batteries add to vehicle weight, hybrids require high power batteries with a smaller energy capacity than are required by battery-electric cars - most commercial hybrids currently use nickel-metal hydride cells. Battery storage also enables the use of regenerative braking which tops up the battery when the brakes are applied, further reducing overall fuel consumption by around 20%.

Q. What are hybrid cars like to drive? Return to top

The driving performance of hybrids is not unlike that of a conventional car. Road handling is similar to an equivalent non-hybrid model and acceleration times are broadly comparable or even slighly improved. For the earlier designs, the first difference you might notice is a distinctive approach to styling, as these were largely aimed at buyers who wanted to stand out from the crowd. But this is no longer the case and many hybrids could pass you by in the street without you noticing (they probably already have).

From the driving seat you are more likely to be aware of the differences of a hybrid car design. These include push-to-start controls and innovative displays to inform the driver of the energy flow and fuel consumption as well as the usual speedometer and odometer. On pulling away, and at low speeds, you would also be aware of the lack of engine noise (while in electric-only mode). This can be a little unnerving at first, but quickly becomes accepted as the norm. All in all, however, the hybrid cars on the market can be considered as proven state-of-the-art vehicles alongside their conventional counterparts. Some could even be considered technically superior due to their improved fuel economy, smooth acceleration and innovative on-board features.

Q. How do I refuel a hybrid car? Return to top

As most hybrids on the market use conventional petrol, fuel is dispensed from fuel pumps in exactly the same way as for conventional cars. Indeed, the great advantage of petrol- and diesel-fuelled hybrid cars is that they require no change in fuel and can use any conventional fuel station in the UK. As the range and fuel-performance of hybrids is better than their conventional counterparts there are no restrictions on the applications for which they can be used. With no technical barriers to their use, hybrid vehicles therefore possess great potential to become the new standard automotive technology of the next decade.

Q. Are hybrid cars better for the environment? Return to top

On European roads, most petrol-hybrids reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions (per mile) by around 25% compared to an equivalent petrol car. Astounding as these figures are, the two-seater Honda Insight goes one better achieving CO2 emissions of 80g/km - with lifecycle carbon emissions around half of those for the average conventional petrol car.

All regulated emissions are significantly reduced for a petrol-hybrid passenger car as compared to a conventional petrol vehicle. These include reductions in carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and NOx of up to 90%.

Unlike other green cars, the future of hybrids is not threatened by the improving fuel and emissions performance of conventional cars. This is because a hybridised engine will always outperform its non-hybrid equivalent. The second reason, and the most telling, is that all conventional engines may have to be hybridised if they are to conform to future emission standards. In other words, the future conventional and hybrid car may be one and the same.

Q. How much do hybrid cars cost to own? Return to top

Some ownership costs for hybrid cars are higher than for their petrol and diesel equivalents, due principally to the higher purchase price. Typically, for new car, the additional purchase price is in the range of £1000-£2000 (on a £14,000 model), depending on whether it is a mild or strong hybrid design.

Other changes in ownership costs include vehicle excise duty ('road tax') - most hybrids are charged at a lower rate than their conventional equivalents due to their lower emissions of CO2. Due to their recent appearance, there remains some uncertainty about annual depreciation rates and resale value for hybrids. Initial experience from the US suggests that petrol-hybrids depreciate at about the same rate as conventional cars. This assumes that battery-life is as predicted and well beyond the warranty period. In the UK, it may be the case that hybrids will have reduced depreciation for the next few years (ie they keep their value longer) as the demand for hybrids is likely to grow.

Q. How much do hybrid cars cost to run? Return to top

Most running costs are less for hybrids than conventional vehicles. In particular, the higher capital costs are offset by lower fuel costs due to the high fuel economy of the vehicles themselves. As is the case with carbon emissions (see above), hybrids typically use 15%-30% less fuel per mile, depending on driving conditions and whether a mild or strong hybrid design is used.

For drivers in and around London (and other cities that may follow London’s example), the other major running cost to consider is the Congestion Charge. As most hybrids are in PowerShift Band 4, they receive a 100% discount on the London Congestion Charge (although owners of hybrids need to register with Transport for London and pay an annual £10 fee). With a £8 payable daily charge, this could provide a potential annual saving of up to £2000. The PowerShift Register lists vehicles that qualify for London Congestion Charge discounts.

Due to their novelty and use of state-of-the-art batteries, servicing, maintenance and repair costs remain somewhat unknown. Although there is good reason to think that these costs will remain similar to those for conventional cars, servicing may require going to a specialist centre. In order to reduce consumer uncertainty, many hybrid car manufacturers provide high-mileage warranties that cover the additional hybrid components (typically for 8-10 years or 100,000 miles).

Q. Where can I buy a hybrid car? Return to top

At least four hybrid cars are now commercially available in the UK. One of the first to reach the salesroom, and probably still the most important production hybrid, is the Toyota Prius that has been available in Europe since 2000. Hybrids are also available from Honda, who offer the Civic Hybrid IMA (the World Green Car for 2006), and Lexus who market two top-of-the-range hybrids, the RX400h SUV and the GS450h executive saloon. Undoubtedly, other manufacturers will follow suit within the next few years - hybrid models being prepared for production include the Ford Escape and the Nissan Altima. Given that the first hybrids appeared in the UK in 2000, a few are even beginning to appear on the used car market (several used Priuses have appeared on eBay).

The commercial prospects for hybrid look extremely promising. Already, in their first year of manufacture (1997), the global monthly production of petrol-hybrids exceeded the annual sales of all battery-electric cars. The market leader, the Prius, has seen a strong growth in sales from just over 300 in its first year (in Japan) to over 120,000 cumulative sales worldwide. In 2006, hybrid sales were around 140,000 vehicles, with around half of sales being of Toyota Priuses. Several industry analysts predict that annual global sales of hybrid cars will exceed 1 million by 2008.