The Norwegian government's policy of subsidizing the purchase of cars equipped with hybrids is bringing results. In 2017, this type of vehicles accounted for over 50% of the new car market. In other countries, their importance is also increasing, which is influenced by, among others, good promotion and an interesting offer for the purchase of new hybrid cars manufactured by Toyota. The growing popularity is also determined by factors such as: growing fuel prices, growing ecological awareness, comfort of use, etc. However, it is worth considering whether cars hybrids are the future of the automotive industry or just a transition stage from traditional engines to fully electric ones?
What is a hybrid?
Hybrid is a type of motor drive that combines traditional combustion solutions and electric drive. As a rule, both engine units work simultaneously or alternately, depending on the actual need. There are currently three solutions on the market in the field of this technology: serial and parallel, and their various combinations. The series concept of operation is that the internal combustion engine produces electricity by supplying the electric driving unit. In parallel systems, the car is driven mainly by an electric motor. On the other hand, the combustion unit starts when there is a greater demand for power or when the electric unit does not have enough energy. Combinations of these two solutions are currently the most popular.
Hybrids - which car models?
The first car model that contributed to the popularity of the hybrid was Toyota Prius, whose sales in 2000 reached the level of 19 copies. Currently, the fourth generation of these cars is offered on the market, which was presented for the first time in 500.
The market success of hybrid cars contributed to the expansion of Toyota's offer in this segment. Currently, this concern offers the following vehicles with this drive:
- Toyota Yaris Hybrid (from PLN 67 thousand)
- Auris Hybrid (from PLN 80 thousand, and from PLN 83 thousand, station wagon version)
- C-HR (from PLN 107 thousand)
- RAV 4 Hybrid (from PLN 140 thousand)
- Prius (from PLN 120 thousand)
- Prius Plug-In (from 153 thousand PLN)
- Toyota Prius + (from 137 thousand PLN)
Hybrids - what models apart from Toyota?
Although Toyota is the leader on the hybrid car market, other concerns also offer noteworthy copies. They include, among others Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Honda Insight Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid. Kia Optima Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Lexus HS 250h and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
Hybrids as a temporary trend or the future?
Hybrids are becoming more and more popular, and the technology itself has been developed for 20 years. Many faults that were the sins of youth and mainly related to the failure of batteries have been eliminated. The latest solutions are distinguished by a longer durability than previously used hybrid technologies. In the face of better and better parameters of electric cars and the dynamic expansion of Tesla, including through the implementation of the Model S. Hybrids can be considered in the context of a temporary trend. It should be assumed that it will continue until cars powered by electric motors only become more affordable.
Read our next article: The End of Internal Combustion Engines ...
