Hybrid is not just hybrid. Recently, the range of game types and variants has grown significantly. In the future, most of the new cars will be electrified in one way or another. An overview.
The hybrid drive has also outgrown exotic status in Germany. In addition to the full hybrid technology that has been known from Japan for years, other variants have long since found their way into dealerships and on the street. Five examples.
Full Hybrid:
This hybrid game is the most proven and the most widely used globally. One or more electric motors and a petrol engine divide the work so intelligently and flexibly that together they consume no more fuel than a diesel. This type of hybrid drive is considered “full” because it also allows purely electric driving; a “mild” hybrid could not. However, because the full hybrid only has a relatively small battery that cannot be charged externally, it does not get very far in Stromer mode - in return, it is therefore relatively cheap. At least compared to e-cars and plug-in hybrids. Full hybrids according to classic cuts are currently only available from Asian manufacturers, especially from Toyota and Lexus, and for some time also from Hyundai and Kia. The technology is available in numerous vehicle classes, from small cars through various SUV segments to luxury class sedans. One of the most popular models is the Toyota Corolla, which makes do with 90 liters of fuel in the 122 kW / 3,3 hp basic version. At almost 27.300 euros, the purchase price is on the level of a similarly motorized diesel.
Plug-in hybrid
The drive, often abbreviated as PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), is, depending on the perspective, a full hybrid with an externally rechargeable battery or an electric car with an additional internal combustion engine. Because the legislature prefers the latter view, the purchase is promoted in various ways - not least by the 0,5 percent rule when used as a company car. The greatest advantage of the concept is the combination of an electric range suitable for commuting, which is generally around 50 kilometers, with an internal combustion engine, which prevents it from being left behind or having to refuel with electricity over longer distances. The disadvantage is the rather high consumption in both drive modes - also because the other engine alternative has to be carried along. The majority of the offer is located in the high-end company car or SUV classes and especially with German premium manufacturers, where the technology is often used to improve performance. For some time now, there have also been alternatives in smaller classes that focus on thrift. For years, Europe's best-selling PHEV has been the mid-range Mitsubishi Outlander SUV, which uses a particularly sophisticated variant with a petrol engine and two electric motors and costs around 38.000 euros. The standard consumption is 1,8 liters.
Serial hybrid
While in most hybrid concepts the combustion and electric motors are connected in parallel so that they can both do the driving work, in the serial hybrid they are installed one behind the other. The internal combustion engine then does not act on the wheels, but merely drives a generator that produces electricity for an electric motor. So it becomes a small power plant, can work more evenly and economically in this role than a drive motor. The principle is similar to that of the range extender in the electric car, but there is not necessarily the possibility to charge the battery directly from the socket. Honda is currently using this unusual concept for the CR-V. The compact SUV runs on electricity in the city and on the freeway; the combustion engine is only allowed to drive the wheels directly on the country road - this is where it is particularly efficient. The 32.300 euro Japanese comes to a standard consumption of 5,5 liters. The drive unit consists of a two-liter petrol engine with 107 kW / 145 hp, an electric motor with 135 kW / 184 hp and a second electric machine for power generation, as well as a 1,3 kWh buffer battery, on request is all-wheel drive available.
48-volt mild hybrid
Hybrid cars are economical and mature - but also quite expensive. Not only in the purchase, but also in maintenance and production. Because the high-voltage system on board makes production and repairs dangerous. The 48-volt hybrid systems, which are becoming increasingly popular, are cheaper and safer. The low-voltage technology makes protective measures against electric shocks unnecessary, the battery and the starter generator, which has been converted into an auxiliary motor, are designed to be small and therefore inexpensive. Purely electric driving is generally not possible due to the limited performance, instead the generator supports the combustion engine when starting and accelerating. Then it serves as a generator to recover braking power - which makes it much more efficient than the usual 12-volt alternators. In addition, there are advantages in terms of performance and driveability, which enables small displacement capacities for the combustion engines. Depending on the model, consumption should drop by several tenths of a liter up to almost one liter. Currently, 48-volt technology is still used primarily in more expensive vehicles, but in the coming months the car manufacturers will be releasing numerous smaller models in order to meet the future CO2 limits. For example, the small car Ford Fiesta and the Ford Focus will soon be available in 48-volt mild hybrid versions. Currently, among other things, the Kia Sportage with the combination of 136 kW / 185 PS strong diesel and 12 kW / 16 PS electric motor is available. The price of the all-wheel drive is 40.500 euros, the standard consumption is 5,8 liters.
Micro hybrid
Micro hybrid is usually just a more melodious term for cars with a start-stop system. This technology, which has been in use for years, automatically switches the engine off at the traffic light stop, but has been doing so increasingly recently, often even when it is slowly coasting down before standstill. In individual cases, the upgraded starter generator required for this can do even more: in the Suzuki Swift, for example, it jumps to the side of the 82 kW / 111 hp 1,0-liter petrol engine when starting and accelerating. With much less power than the full hybrid and the 48-volt hybrid, but with enough commitment to push the standard consumption down to 4,3 liters. At 19.520 euros, the small car is significantly more expensive than the entry-level model without this technology.
The differentiation of hybrid technology will continue in the future. Because cars have to be more economical in view of the upcoming CO2 limits. The technology will not be available at a discount price, but the entry hurdle is likely to decrease further compared to today.