What makes hybrid cars so special?

A simple definition: “A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors”.

Our Honda hybrids therefore have both a petrol as well as electric engine under the same hood. Whilst primarily running on petrol, the vehicle will seamlessly switch to electricity under light loads, or use both types of energy simultaneously when the vehicle needs a boost of power. Sensors placed throughout the car monitor conditions such as throttle position, vehicle speed, and battery charge, and relay the readings to a computer that decides how to optimally divide the load between the petrol engine and electric motor. There’s a misconception that our hybrid cars need to be plugged in and charged overnight for them to function. This is untrue. Our hybrids merely recharge the battery during normal operation. One clever way they accomplish this is through braking. When the driver decelerates or brakes, the motion of the slowing wheels turns the generator and creates energy that is used to recharge the battery. By using the otherwise wasted energy of braking, the hybrids get better gas mileage in the city than conventional vehicles do.  Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on the remarkable facts about Honda hybrids.