Posted: 10/14/2022
A hybrid vehicle is a great pick for eco-conscious drivers who want to save money on gas without giving up convenience. But what actually makes a hybrid...a hybrid? And how do all those parts work together to keep things running?
In this post, we’ll break down the five main components of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and explain how each one fits into the bigger picture. From the battery to the braking system, every part plays a role in how your car balances power and fuel efficiency.
We’ll also share a few simple ways to take care of your hybrid so you don’t end up needing new hybrid auto parts any sooner than necessary.
A hybrid vehicle is a type of car that uses two or more different power sources to move the vehicle. The most common type of hybrid vehicle is a gas-electric hybrid, which uses both gasoline and electricity to power the car, also known as an HEV, or hybrid-electric vehicle. Hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly popular as people look for ways to save money on fuel and reduce their environmental impact. While hybrid cars have a lot of the same or similar parts as a standard vehicle, like alternators, radiators and air conditioners, there are several key differences you should know about.
The hybrid car has five main components: the gas engine, the electric motor, the battery, the power control unit, and the regenerative braking system. Let's take a closer look at each one of these hybrid auto parts, and explain the function of each hybrid car system.
The gas engine is still a big part of how a hybrid works, even though it’s sharing the job with electric power. Most of the time, it runs on regular gasoline or diesel, though yeah—some hybrids use propane or natural gas instead. It’s basically the same setup you’d find in a standard gas-powered car. When the battery can’t handle everything on its own, this engine steps in to keep things moving. The gas engine’s still one of the most relied on hybrid auto parts, especially when you're picking up speed or driving longer distances.
The electric motor mostly kicks in when the car’s moving at lower speeds or just starting up. That’s when it can run things quietly without needing gas. It gets its power from the battery, though in some hybrids, there’s also a built-in generator that helps charge the battery while you’re driving. Out of all the hybrid auto parts in the system, the electric motor’s probably the one doing the most work in stop-and-go traffic, even if you don’t really notice it.
The battery powers the electric motor, and in most hybrids, you’ll find it tucked under the hood, though in some models, it might be under the rear seats or in the trunk. Keeping the battery charged is key if you want everything running like it should. The battery is the heart of the electric side of the hybrid auto parts. If it’s not holding a charge, you’ll notice the drop in performance pretty quick.
The power control unit ties everything together. It figures out how much power needs to go where, and whether it should be coming from the battery, the gas engine, or a mix of both. It’s always switching things up in the background, depending on what the car’s doing. This is an easy hybrid auto part to overlook; but without it, none of the other parts would really know what to do, honestly.
The regenerative braking system is the hybrid auto part that pulls double duty. Instead of just losing energy when you brake, it grabs some of that and sends it back into the battery. That energy doesn’t go to waste. It gets reused, which can help stretch fuel efficiency a little over time. It also means the battery doesn’t have to work quite as hard, which probably helps it last longer.
Now that you’ve got a handle on how hybrid cars work, here are a few quick tips to help keep things running smoothly:
Change the oil and filter regularly. This keeps the gas engine in good shape and helps everything run more efficiently, including the electric systems that rely on smooth operation.
Keep an eye on your tires. Checking tire pressure more often than not can save you some gas. Even just having them properly inflated can boost fuel economy by, like, 2 or 3 percent.
Don’t let the battery drain too low. A battery that stays charged will usually last longer and work better. Letting it run low all the time puts more strain on it than you’d think.
Following these small habits can help avoid extra wear and tear on your hybrid auto parts, and hopefully keep repairs off your to-do list for a while.
Arnold Motor Supply has been a leading supplier of auto parts since 1927. Founded and based in Iowa, we have auto parts stores all over the Midwest. Order auto parts online and you'll be notified via email once your purchase is ready for pickup at your local Arnold Motor Supply parts store.
