How Does a Hybrid Car Work?

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While you’re out exploring all that Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield, Indiana, has to offer, you’ll want to keep the adventure going with constant motion. That means having a vehicle that can take you further with each fill of the fuel tank. If you’re looking for your next efficient and greener machine, we have great news.

Kia is evolving what it means to drive with their hybrid-model lineup. If you’ve ever wondered, “How does a hybrid car work?” then, you’ve arrived at the right place. Our team at Andy Mohr Kia is happy to walk you through what makes these vehicles so exciting, and we’re ready to help you find one of your very own!

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Hybrid Vehicles: Two Fuel Sources

As you may have heard, hybrid models skirt the line between traditional gasoline-fueled vehicles and fully electric powered ones. The term “hybrid” comes from two different components coming together to form its own identity. In this case, it’s a traditional combustion engine and one or more electric motors that combine their might.

The combustion engine uses gas just like most vehicles on the road today. Gasoline is burned to propel your ride forward through igniting it. This then creates the energy that is transferred to your wheels to set you out on the road.

Electric motors act as a supplement to your combustion engine. Using batteries to store electricity, the motors combine with the combustion fuel source for a drive that balances the two. Thanks to the added energy from electricity, you can have a smaller combustion engine that uses less gas to get you on your way.

How Does the Battery Maintain Power?

Although there are plug-on hybrid models that use a wall charger, many hybrid vehicles come simply with battery packs to power the electric motors. That begs the question: Where does the electricity comes from for their function? Through innovative design, the vehicle itself acts as its own source for battery power.

First, the energy created by the combustion engine serves an additional purpose. Along with moving your set of wheels forward, some of its output is converted into stored electricity in the batteries. This helps keep a constant source of power for your electric motor.

Second, the process of regenerative braking gives you an extra boost in electric power. When you apply the brakes to slow down and stop, the energy of your wheels moving has to go somewhere. Typically, that energy is translated into heat, but hybrid models take that and turn it into more electric power for later. Every time you approach a stop sign, you’re about to gain more power for your electric motor!

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Find Your Next Hybrid Car Today

Now that you know more about how hybrid vehicles work, you can start looking for your next one. We have tons of options to explore, such as the hybrid versions of the Kia Niro, Kia Sportage, and Kia Sorento.

Which will be your favorite for drives in Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield, IN? Contact us at Andy Mohr Kia to schedule your test drive today!

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