How Does a Hybrid Work?
Why Explore Hybrid Cars at Toyota of Clermont?
If you’ve heard about the amazing fuel efficiency and cleaner performance that hybrids like the new Toyota Prius offer, you probably wonder the same thing that most drivers wonder – how does a hybrid car work? How do these vehicles manage to get better fuel efficiency AND produce fewer emissions? Toyota of Clermont has the answers – and they come in the form of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology.
Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive System Explained
Each new hybrid vehicle option at Toyota of Clermont has Toyota’s specially designed Hybrid Synergy Drive System technology woven into its design. Here are a few key points about hybrid performance:
- Each of these new Clermont Toyotas includes both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, as well as a hybrid battery.
- The electric motor and gas engine switch back and forth to ensure that your Toyota is powering itself as efficiently as possible.
- This boosts fuel efficiency as you're using less gas, and it also means you produce fewer emissions.
What is a Parallel Hybrid?
Toyota utilizes what’s called a parallel hybrid system. This means that the electric motor and gasoline engine are independent of one another and can operate solo OR simultaneously.
- Your new Clermont Toyota can also sense which power source is best and can switch back and forth so your driving experience is as easy and efficient as possible.
- Most other hybrid cars utilize a mild hybrid system, where they rely mostly on the gasoline engine for power. This results in reduced fuel efficiency and more smog-forming emissions being released during drive time. Obviously, a Toyota hybrid is a better choice if you want to save on gas and have a performance that's a little bit greener.
Do I need to drive a new Toyota hybrid differently than a gasoline car?
If you choose a Clermont Toyota hybrid or any other hybrid option, you’ll be able to integrate green power into your drive without lifting a finger. Your hybrid car will use the electric motor whenever possible to maximize your fuel efficiency, switching to the gasoline engine when necessary. However, despite the fuel savings, you drive a hybrid just like any other car. And the best part? Toyota hybrids use regenerative braking to charge up the hybrid battery and power the electric motor. This means you do NOT have to plug your hybrid in to charge it - just driving it will get the job done!
- When idling or during gentle acceleration, Toyota hybrids rely on the electric motor as a power source.
- However, when you're accelerating quickly or traveling at high speeds, the electric motor doesn’t provide enough power. In these instances, your Toyota hybrid swaps over to the gasoline engine to get you where you need to go.
- As soon as you start to brake and decelerate, it switches back to the electric motor.
Eco-Friendliness and Fuel Efficiency
However, let's talk about hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrains. These are the powerful drivetrains that you'll find on Toyotas like the Tundra, Tacoma, Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Sequoia, and more. They're designed to deliver max horsepower and torque - we're talking even more than their gas counterparts. They do slightly improve fuel efficiency, but their main focus is to deliver instant power for off-roading, towing, and hauling when you need it most.
See all of our hybrid options at Toyota of Clermont
Toyota Corolla Hybrid Toyota Camry Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Toyota RAV4 Prime Toyota Prius Toyota Prius Prime Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Toyota Highlander Hybrid Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Toyota Tundra Hybrid Toyota Sequoia Toyota Tacoma Hybrid