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A Gasoline-Powered HCCI Hybrid? Alternate Ethanol Source Automakers Consider Urea Injection Systems ExxonMobil Says It Will Not Invest in Renewable Resources Gasoline Prices Decline, Heating Costs Expected To Rise Honda Hopes To Increase Sales of Natural Gas Civic GX Hybrid Grass May Become New Source of Alternative Fuel Industry Develops New Small Cars Researchers Working on Solar Hydrogen Projects Flood Car Update :: OF INTEREST :: |
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 There are several different types of hybrid drives available today. The Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive (used in the Prius) and the variation used by the Ford Escape hybrid are defined as “full hybrids,” meaning that they present all the advantages that hybrid technology makes available. These advantages include the efficiency gains from regenerative braking, idle stop technology, electric launch, and the ability to utilize a downsized engine, which needs only be sized to the average vehicle load. The electric drive can add its additional torque for above-average power demands when needed, such as full throttle acceleration.
However, another hybrid technology is now available to the consumer. That technology is known as the “power hybrid” and is different from full hybrids in only one major detail: The engine is not downsized to average load capability. Instead, the engine is left large and powerful so that its full force can be added to the additional torque available from the hybrid-electric drive to provide performance beyond what is possible from a conventional automobile. |
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Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Co. 
