Hybrid and electric cars are constantly growing in popularity in Europe, with sales steadily rising. In Greece, from January to November 2021, sales of hybrid models accounted for 22.9%, with the plans of the car industry being directed in this direction, constantly releasing new hybrid models.
The secret of the success of this category of sales is that they run for many kilometers in cities electrically, drastically limiting the operation of the internal combustion engine.
Thus, they present a more ecological face, without the owners having to plug their cars. In hybrid models the electric motor plays a supporting role in the internal combustion engine. This is the key to success, as they manage to have high efficiency, low emissions and high fuel economy.
Recent research conducted by Polish scientific teams from Poznan and Krakow shows that cars with a hybrid propulsion system (HEV) use their electric motor for 77% of their operating time in urban mode. With a skillful driving style, they can drop fuel consumption below 4 liters per 100 kilometers, when corresponding conventional cars of the same category record consumption close to 7-8 liters per 100 kilometers.
Winter is a demanding time for all cars. Gasoline and diesel vehicles have higher fuel consumption, while electric cars have significantly less autonomy. A hybrid car that combines both types of engines (internal combustion engine and small battery) also has higher consumption, with the battery reducing its autonomy.
In mild winters, it is often the electric motor that is the first to start the hybrid car. Due to its simple design, it operates independently of external conditions and can instantly achieve maximum power, unlike a conventional engine that must first reach the correct operating temperature while driving. Although batteries in hybrid cars are resistant to very low temperatures, they also have energy loss. It is known that in winter the batteries do not work in the same way as in the hot months. The manufacturers of this type of car guarantee a smooth start and operation even in temperatures down to -30 ° C. However, in extreme conditions, the intelligent systems first activate the petrol engine, in order to meet the requirements of the driver, which, among other things, is the operation of the air conditioning in order to heat the passenger cabin.
Increased fuel consumption in winter is a reality for all drivers. The factors that contribute to this phenomenon are the higher rolling resistance, the car heating and generally the difficult driving conditions. Increased fuel consumption in cars with internal combustion engines is a direct result of their mode of operation. The lubricants and oil required to maintain them in operation thicken, which causes more resistance to the engine, so more energy to reach a temperature between 80 and 90 ° C. Because hybrid cars have an internal combustion engine, they also have higher losses resulting in more emissions. In addition, the internal combustion engine will heat up slightly more slowly (due to cold), which means additional energy loss. It is estimated that during the winter the fuel consumption of a hybrid car increases by an average of 15% and that of an internal combustion car by 10%.
However, the battery in the hybrid car is still constantly charged during braking and driving at a constant low speed, regardless of outside temperatures. When the electric car during the winter months loses much of its autonomy, which in many cases can reach up to 30%, hybrid vehicles come to bridge the gap between internal combustion cars and fully electric cars. Although the effects of winter also affect hybrid vehicles, they do not impede their smooth operation, only increasing fuel consumption to cover the lost ground of battery power loss. Of course in the coming years when the electric drive will level up, it is certain that we will see batteries that will provide higher levels of autonomy even in the cold days of winter and will provide a satisfactory level of mileage coverage, meeting the requirements and needs of the driver.
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