OSPE - The Voice - September 2016 - 35

Advertisement THE BRIGHT FUTURE OF DRIVING: Comparing Hybrid and Electric Car Technologies The world has been changing rapidly over the last couple of years and things that once belonged in the distant future are now a consideration for mass market customers. Clean cars such as hybrid and electric models are now on our roads and they're getting increasingly more affordable each year. But what are we getting exactly when buying a clean car model? Let's look into it. Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs) The most popular and affordable PHEVs comes equipped with an internal combustion engine and needs to be fueled like a regular car. It also has an electric generator and a 1.3 kWh battery pack, which powers the car and is used for sole source of energy for 60 to 80 KM, depending on the model. Once the battery is drained, the gasoline engine kicks in to keep you going until it is recharged. Another important fuel-saving feature of hybrid cars is regenerative braking. Electric generators used in hybrid cars convert mechanical energy into electrical energy using a device called Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). The device stores the energy released by the act of braking back into the electrical generator to be used during further acceleration. PHEVs are using internal combustion to prevent complete break downs, but are equipped to use as little fuel as possible while keeping optimal reliability. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) There are two sorts of electric cars, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), whose only source of power are their electric generator and rechargeable battery packs. They're not equipped with an internal combustion engine, fuel cells or a fuel tank. They do not emit any tailpipe pollution and allow their owners considerable savings on gasoline, but are dependent on recharging infrastructure, which is not always accessible. BEVs manufacturers such as Tesla and Nissan have been using lithium-ion batteries to power their vehicles. Their life cycle is considerable and allow for optimal performance on the road. Tesla can travel up to 200 miles on a single charge and it improves with every model. There are also hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles, which are just starting to hit the market. It uses the chemical energy generated by hydrogen and oxygen in order to generate electricity without combustion or pollution. Hydrogen fuel cell powered cars are very new, but this technology isn't like what's been used by NASA for many years to provide electricity in space shuttles. So there you have it. Both hybrid and battery electric cars are interesting choices equipped with similar technologies. Differences are mostly in their drawbacks: hybrid requires fuel in order to work and electric cars are dependent on recharging infrastructure. Whatever your choice is, know that some insurance companies offer discounts for eco-friendly cars. Also, both provincial and federal governments offer you financial incentives to encourage the purchase of clean vehicles despite the steep prices. If you decide to go with a hybrid or an electric vehicle, you can't go wrong! This article is sponsored by The Personal. Call us today for a home or auto quote: 1-888-476-8737 For more information: ucsusa.org | automd.com | plugndrive.ca September 2016 The VOICe 35 http://www.ucsusa.org http://www.automd.com http://www.plugndrive.ca

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