MOBILITY
MYTHBUSTERS:
HYBRID VEHICLES How much do you really know? ou’ve seen them in your favorite movies and TV series. You’ve read about them on popular websites and magazines. They’ve created buzz on social media. And no, we’re not talking about A-List celebrities, though many stars drive
Y
MYTH #1
around in one. We’re talking about hybrid cars, especially the uberpopular Toyota Prius. Globally, Toyota’s hybrid cars have established themselves as reliable choices for amazing fuel economy. It’s no wonder why you see Hybrids almost everywhere in most other countries.
Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Electric Vehicles are basically the same
THE TRUTH: Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) operate on only one power source (electric motor) while Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), as the name “hybrid” suggests, runs on a combination of a petrol engine and an electric motor. They’re similar in that they both have electricity as a power source but different because hybrid vehicles also have a second power source — the petrol engine.
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It’s a very different story, though, here in the Philippines, where there’s still a lot to be understood about hybrids. Here we’ll address the top myths to hopefully clear the air (pun intended) about these environment-friendly vehicles.
MYTH #2
Hybrid cars need to be charged before use
THE TRUTH: Hybrids do not need to be plugged in to be charged. They are self-charging through the motion and braking of the car. This is called “regenerative braking” and is what makes hybrids unique and extra convenient as electrified vehicles. This makes them ideal for the Philippines since there’s no need for added infrastructure like charging stations.
gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
