Most regular cars use an alternator to charge their batteries. But hybrid cars don’t have alternators. So how do they keep their batteries charged?
Read on to find out.
What’s different about hybrid cars?
Hybrid cars have two power sources: a fuel engine and an electric motor. They also have a special battery that’s much bigger than a regular car battery. This battery powers the electric motor and needs to be charged regularly.
No alternator? No problem
Instead of an alternator, hybrid cars use a device called a generator. This generator does the job of an alternator, but it’s much more efficient.
How does the generator work?
The generator in a hybrid car is connected to the fuel engine. When the engine is running, it spins the generator. The generator then turns this spinning motion into electricity, which charges the battery.
But that’s not all…
Hybrid cars have another way to charge their batteries: regenerative braking.
Here’s how it works:
- When you press the brake pedal, the electric motor starts working backwards.
- This backward motion slows down the car.
- At the same time, it acts like a generator, creating electricity.
- This electricity is sent to the battery, giving it a boost of power.
So every time you brake, you’re actually charging the battery a little bit.
What about plug-in hybrids?
Some hybrid cars can also be plugged into an electrical outlet to charge. These are called plug-in hybrids. They can charge their batteries just like you charge your phone.
The benefits of plug-in hybrids system
This charging system has the following advantages:
- It’s more efficient than a regular alternator.
- It helps the car use less fuel.
- It reduces wear and tear on the brakes.
- It allows the car to capture energy that would otherwise be wasted.
