By: Johan Young
Today more and more people who complain about the gas problem. Not only the problem of their wallet was empty, but also air pollution. Thus, the electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle is now a reference. Because they provide solutions to our problems at this time.
On this occasion I will write some factors that affect our consumption of gasoline vehicles. So when we want to change our vehicle to electric vehicle or to purchase a new hybrid, we already have guidelines about that. Here are those factors,
Size of the engine. Size of the engine affects our consumption of gasoline vehicles. So much of the additional power will be used just to carry the extra weight of the engine. Hybrid solves it by putting a small engine with an electric motor. Moreover, small engine has small cylinders that consume less fuel both at stop and while cruising. This makes hybrid vehicles more fuel efficient. Hybrid vehicle engines are smaller and are significantly lighter, thus reducing the total weight of the vehicle.
Driving conditions (with respect to the internal structure of the hybrid vehicle). A hybrid vehicle can be a parallel or series. Parallel to the drive train, the vehicle is running more fuel efficient on the road. Series hybrids on the other hand work well in stop-and-go traffic.
Vehicle Design/Aerodynamics. When driving at high speeds, the car’s engine works more because it has to push the vehicle through the air. This is called aerodynamic drag. And the faster the vehicle is, the greater the aerodynamic drag it has to overcome. Hybrid vehicles work well both at slow and high speed because it’s design to cut through air that reduces the drag, thus increasing fuel economy. Low-rolling resistance tires, which are stiffer and inflated to higher pressure can further cut the drag and increase the fuel mileage of the vehicle.
Vehicle Weight. When the vehicle is heavy, the engine has to inject more fuel to the cylinder in order to push it forward. So in order to increase fuel economy, hybrid vehicles are made with lighter materials such as magnesium and aluminum or composite materials like carbon fiber.
Driving habits. Do you drive a different or not, driving habits can certainly affect the gas mileage of your vehicle. Hard braking and acceleration rough waste much energy. Even if you have a hybrid regenerative braking system, the maximum amount of energy can not return back to the battery. Sudden acceleration in the other hand, require more power from both electric motor and combustion engine which equates to more fuel consumption. To improve gas mileage, anticipate braking distance, step on the brake softly, and accelerate slowly.
