In the last decade and so, automotive manufacturers have entered into the advanced automobile universe. From vehicles providing electric assist to running completely on electric power, there is a long list of innovations you will find in the latest hybrid car models. Hybrid cars come in three categories i.e. complete hybrid, mild hybrid, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Plug-in hybrid cars or PHEVs meaning plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are different from typical hybrid cars. That said, a PHEV can be recharged from EV charging stations. Moreover, the battery provides enough power to cover a distance ranging from 30 to 80 kilometres before the battery runs out of charge.
Let’s go through the complete working of a PHEV and its major components.
HOW DOES A PLUG-IN HYBRID CAR WORK
The plug-in hybrid car is a combination of hybrid and electric cars. The PHEV uses both an electric battery and a hybrid car motor to power the vehicle from the stored electrical energy. When the battery runs out, the car automatically switches to a conventional vehicle.
The major difference between hybrid and PHEV is that the latter can be charged at charging stations in Dubai or wherever you drive. Moreover, the electric battery provides up to an 80-kilometre range, unlike a hybrid car that uses battery power up to certain speed limits.
This makes plug-in hybrid cars more fuel efficient and advanced than any other type of hybrid vehicle. Let’s go through the working phenomenon of how a PHEV uses technology to be the limelight of hybrid car types.
POWERED BY AN ELECTRIC BATTERY AND COMBUSTION ENGINE
Plug-in hybrid cars use an electric motor and internal combustion engine. The electric motor in hybrid cars uses the stored energy from the battery to power the vehicle. This stored energy can provide an all-electric range of up to 80 kilometres.
After the battery runs out, the second powering option, the IC engine comes into play. That said, if you use your car for travelling within cities, the all-electric range that a PHEV provides is enough. However, the battery range can be affected by air-conditioning or rapid acceleration.
FUELING AND DRIVING OPTIONS
Another important thing to consider about a plug-in hybrid car is that it provides you with both options, charging or fueling up. With a widespread charging station network such as DEWA EV Green Chargers, it can save you a fair amount on fuel costs.
Moreover, a PHEV is quite similar to a hybrid car when the battery runs out of charge. It uses regenerative braking to charge the hybrid car battery while you drive it with an IC engine. However, to take full advantage of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, you will need to charge the car consistently.
FUEL EFFICIENT SYSTEM DESIGN
The plug-in hybrid car is considered the most fuel-efficient of the hybrid car types. The following two configurations are the way to power your PHEV based on the driving conditions.
PARALLEL
In the parallel drive operation, the electric motor and engine connect to the wheels through mechanical coupling. That said, it allows the motor and engine to drive the wheels directly.
SERIES
The series configuration is more common to extend the all-electric range of plug-in hybrid cars. That said, the internal combustion engine acts as a generator to power the electric motor. In this configuration, an electric motor drives wheels most of the time. However, it switches to parallel hybrid mode when the battery is depleted.
IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF A PLUG-IN HYBRID
It is important to understand the components of a PHEV car to distinguish it from other hybrid vehicles. Here are the fundamental parts that play a role in the working of plug-in hybrid cars.
BATTERY
An auxiliary battery provides power to start the vehicle and other vehicle components such as lights and an infotainment system.
CHARGING PORT
It allows you to charge your PHEV from any external power source similar to an electric car.
AC/DC CONVERTER
Since a plug-in hybrid car can be charged from external charging points, AC to DC converter is another necessary component for fast charging.
ONBOARD CHARGERS
The onboard chargers monitor the battery performance factors such as voltage, current, or temperature. Alongside, onboard chargers convert AC to DC power when charging a vehicle.
ELECTRIC GENERATOR
It uses the braking force to charge the traction battery of a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Moreover, the electric generator is the same as the motor in some plug-in hybrids as they power the car and use regenerative braking to charge the battery.
ELECTRIC TRACTION MOTOR
Use the power from the primary electric traction battery to run the vehicle.
FUEL SYSTEM
The fuel system is there to store the fuel when your battery is depleted.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
All-electric vehicles do not have an exhaust system. However, plug-in hybrids use an engine when the battery runs out of charge. Therefore, the exhaust system is there to channel the gases out from the tailpipe. But a three-way catalyst design helps control the emissions.
POWER ELECTRONICS CONTROL
It is another essential component that monitors the flow of electric current from the traction battery pack to the motor. Moreover, it controls the speed of the traction motor and the torque produced.
THERMAL SYSTEM
The thermal system helps maintain the engine temperature, electric motors, and power electronics control within the operating limits.
Plug-in hybrid cars are part of the green mobility strategy and electrified future of automobiles. Moreover, the upcoming 2023 hybrid cars are a further step ahead technology-wise. Besides, the new plug-in hybrids provide more electric range. Besides, you can browse the listing of used cars in the UAE and find yourself some of the top conventional, electric, and hybrid cars.
Stay connected to the UAE’s leading auto blog to find out more about different types of vehicles and how they work to provide optimum performance.
Related Posts
