Expert Perspective

How Hybrid Engines Work

BY JD Rucker | 06-10-2011 | 1:43 AM

This article is written by a member of our expert contributor community.

With sales of hybrid vehicles expected to increase by 300% over the next 5 years, some may wonder how these technological marvels work. It's easy to understand the gas aspect of petrol firing the pistons, powering the wheels to spin, but how do hybrids get started through battery power and what makes the switch to gas at higher speeds? This graphic explores those questions.

Internal combustion. It has been the driving force (pun intended) behind motor vehicles for a century. While there have been problems with rising prices and environmental concerns for decades, it has only been common in the last decade to see vehicles that bypass the gas and start off using a battery electric drive system.

The hybrid, it seems, is changing the way we move.

This infographic by our friends at AutoMD puts it all into perspective, breaking down the way that the two types of engines work together as well as giving us a glimpse of what hybrid technology may look like in the near future. Whether you're sticking to gas, moving towards all-electric vehicles, waiting for hydrogen technology, or taking the bus, the immediate future is trending towards a mass adoption of hybrid vehicles.