Everything You Wanted to Know About

Hybrids
David Butke
Automotive Instructor
dave.butke@mcc.edu

WHAT IS A HYBRID?
A hybrid is a vehicle that is propelled by
two power sources.

OBJECTIVES

Types of hybrid vehicles

Hybrid vehicle operation
Commonly asked questions about hybrids
The pay back rate of hybrids
Advantages and disadvantages of owning
a hybrid

LEVELS OF HYBRID VEHICLES

Full hybrid
They feature idle-stop function
Regenerative braking
Most are capable of using the electric motor
alone to propel the vehicle
The electric motor also assists the engine
Battery voltages are about 200 to 300 volts

LEVELS OF HYBRID VEHICLES

Medium hybrid
They feature idle-stop function
Regenerative braking
Most are not capable of using the electric
motor alone to propel the vehicle
The electric motor usually assists the engine
Battery voltages are about 144 to 158 volts

LEVELS OF HYBRID VEHICLES

Mild Hybrid
They feature idle-stop function
Regenerative braking
Are not capable of using the electric motor to
propel the vehicle
These systems are usually 42 volts or less

Basic Components

Power plant ICE

Electric motor / Generator
Battery
Transmission
Inverter

TYPES OF HYBRID VEHICLES

Series hybrid
Vehicle propulsion is by a electric motor only
ICE is used for charging the HV battery

TYPES OF HYBRID VEHICLES

Parallel hybrid
Uses multiple propulsion energy sources
This means the electric motor and ICE propels the vehicle

TYPES OF HYBRID VEHICLES

Series-parallel hybrid
These vehicles can operate using the electric motor alone
or with assist of the ICE
They combine both functions of series and parallel design

HOW DO I START THIS THING?

IS THIS VEHICLE RUNNING?

Maintenance
Hybrid vehicles require the same
maintenance as regular vehicles
However, some hybrids require inverter
flushes and battery filter changes.
There be additional costs involved in
replacing low rolling resistance tires.
Vehicle repairs may cost more than a
regular vehicle

HOW LONG WILL A HIGH VOLTAGE

BATTERY LAST?
Most hybrid high voltage batteries last
180,000 to 240,000 miles
Manufacture battery warranties
Honda
8 years / 80,000 miles

Toyota
8 years / 100,000 miles

Ford
8 years / 100,000 miles

General Motors
8 years / 100,000 miles

ARE HYBRID VEHICLES SAFE?

YES!
The following will disable the high voltage
system

High voltage interlock circuit

Airbag deployment
High voltage leak
Removing battery negative

WHAT HAPPENS IF A HYBRID

VEHICLE IS SUBMERGED IN
WATER?
There is no risk of electric shock from
touching the car's body or frameworkin
or out of the water.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO INSURE A
HYBRID VEHICLE?
Some insurance companies indicate that
drivers of hybrid vehicles are a lower risk.
May save 5-10% on insurance costs by
owning a hybrid vehicle

SHOULD I BUY A HYBRID?

Year

Make

Model

MSRP

2010

Toyota

Prius

$22,400.00

2010

Ford

Escape

2010

Ford

Escape Hybrid

$31,500.00

2010

Toyota

Camery

$23,165.00

2010

Toyota

Camery Hybrid

$26,150.00

2010

Ford

Fusion

$24,330.00

2010

Ford

Fusion Hybrid

$27,625.00

2010

Honda

Civic

$18,700.00

2010

Honda

Civic Hybrid

$23,800.00

2010

Toyota

Highlander

$33,070.00

2010

Toyota

Highlander Hybrid

$34,700.00

Hybrid

Combined

Annual

Annual Hybrid

Years to

Premium

MPG

Fuel Cost

Fuel Savings

Break Even

None

46.5

$880.65

$378.00

16.38888889

$597.61

4.994896337

$780.95

4.219220181

$401.47

12.70331532

$167.55

9.728439272

$25,305.00
$6,195.00

$2,985.00

$3,295.00

$5,100.00

$1,630.00

25

$1,638.00

32.5

$1,260.00

22.5

$1,820.00

33.5

$1,222.39

22.2

$1,844.59

38.5

$1,063.64

30

$1,365.00

42.5

$963.53

23.5

$1,742.55

26

$1,575.00

SHOULD I BUY A HYBRID?

Year

Make

Model

MSRP

2010

Toyota

Prius

$22,400.00

2010

Ford

Escape

2010

Ford

Escape Hybrid

$31,500.00

2010

Toyota

Camery

$23,165.00

2010

Toyota

Camery Hybrid

$26,150.00

2010

Ford

Fusion

$24,330.00

2010

Ford

Fusion Hybrid

$27,625.00

2010

Honda

Civic

$18,700.00

2010

Honda

Civic Hybrid

$23,800.00

2010

Toyota

Highlander

$33,070.00

2010

Toyota

Highlander Hybrid

$34,700.00

Hybrid

Combined

Annual

Annual Hybrid

Years to

Premium

MPG

Fuel Cost

Fuel Savings

Break Even

None

46.5

$1,467.74

25

$2,730.00

32.5

$2,100.00

$630.00

9.833333333

22.5

$3,033.33

33.5

$2,037.31

$996.02

2.996927773

22.2

$3,074.32

38.5

$1,772.72

$1,301.60

2.531499693

30

$2,275.00

42.5

$1,605.88

$669.12

7.62195122

23.5

$2,904.25

26

$2,625.00

$279.25

5.837063563

$25,305.00
$6,195.00

$2,985.00

$3,295.00

$5,100.00

$1,630.00

HYBRID VEHICLE VS
REGULAR VEHICLE
Advantages
Better mileage
Improved acceleration
(most of the time)
Less dependence on
fossil fuels
Lower emissions
Some states provide
incentives for driving a
hybrid
Great driving experience

Disadvantages
Little highway mileage
increase
High initial cost
Needs high fuel cost to
be worthwhile
Could cost more to repair
Extra maintenance items
Some hybrids need
special tires

QUESTIONS?