Series hybrid

A series hybrid uses an electric motor(s), which is powered by a single-speed internal combustion engine. While operating at its most efficient single speed, the combustion engine drives an electric generator instead of directly driving the wheels. This engine can do any combination of the following: charge a battery, charge a capacitor, directly power the electric motor. When large amounts of power and torque are required, the electric motor can...

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Hybrid fuel (dual mode)

In addition to vehicles that use two or more different devices for propulsion, some also consider vehicles that use distinct energy sources or input types ("fuels") using the same engine to be hybrids, although to avoid confusion with hybrids as described above and to use correctly the terms, these are perhaps more correctly described as dual mode vehicles: * Some electric trolleybuses can switch between an on board diesel engine and overhead...

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How the Venturi Eclectic Works

At first blush, the Venturi Eclectic automobile sounds like the subject of a techno-thriller: A car that can power up with the limitless energy of the sun and wind -- a car that has no use for gasoline or diesel fuel. You can imagine governments, spies, superheroes and all sorts of nefarious characters trying to get their hands on one.You can also imagine all sorts of people trying to keep it off the market. Would the major automakers or the Organization...

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Honda Civic Hybrid

As soon as the second-generation Prius arrived on the scene in 2003, the Civic Hybrid was cast in its role as runner-up in the hybrid world. It’s true that the Civic Hybrid is not quite as fuel-efficient, not quite as comfortable and roomy, and not quite as powerful as the Prius. But the gas-electric Civic, like Rodney Dangerfield, deserves more respect than it receives.In fact, it’s the Civic Hybrid’s un-hybrid-like looks and sticker price that...

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First Numbers on Hybrid Battery Failure

For years, sporadic anecdotes about hybrid battery failures have been reported by individual hybrid drivers. But finally, the automakers are reporting the first numbers about the likelihood of batteries failing after the warranty expired.With more than 100,000 Honda hybrids on the road, the automaker told Newsweek that fewer than 200 had a battery fail after the warranty expired. That’s a 0.002 likelihood. Toyota says its out-of-warranty battery...

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