1. Gasoline Engine:
- Serves as the primary source of mechanical power.
- Operates on fossil fuel (gasoline) and generates torque.
- Usually smaller and more efficient than the engine found in conventional gasoline cars.
2. Electric Motor:
- Typically one or more electric motors are used in a hybrid car setup.
- Converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, providing additional power to the wheels.
- In many cases, electric motors can also act as generators, recovering energy during braking through regenerative braking.
3. Battery:
- Stores electrical energy used by the electric motor and other electrical components.
- It is typically a high-voltage battery, often a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) or lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery.
- The battery is charged by the gasoline engine, the regenerative braking system, and sometimes by an external power source (plug-in hybrid cars).
4. Generator:
- Some hybrid cars use an engine-driven generator to supply electricity to the electric motor and battery.
- The generator is powered by the gasoline engine.
The gasoline engine and the electric motor work in conjunction with each other, controlled by an advanced electronic control unit. During acceleration and high-power demands, the electric motor assists the gasoline engine, improving efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. During braking, the electric motor can act as a generator, capturing kinetic energy and converting it back into electrical energy to recharge the battery.
The combination of the gasoline engine and the electric motor allows hybrid cars to achieve higher fuel economy compared to conventional gasoline-only vehicles and produces lower emissions. The specific configuration and power sources may vary among different hybrid car models and manufacturers.
