Do the smaller hybrid cars have difficulties with prolonged running at high power?

Question

I am thinking here of batteries running down if climbing mountains or prolonged high speed. I understand that for high power output hybrids rely on gasoline engine and batteries.

Additional Details

Thanks emiss for your answer but I was thinking of loss of battery charge (not long term life) with the Prius or Civic Hybrid.

Thanks 3DM, most informative. Apart from the cost of hybrids I am glad I bought a smallish diesel car (139g/km). I don't commute but do quite a bit of tripping. I know there is a question about particulate emissions but it is supposed to meet the latest Euro standards and I use a premium fuel.

Thanks süßgurl if I didn't have a restricted budget I would agree with you. As it is I think one smallish diesel best meets my needs.

Thanks Fred, I guess smaller is a relative term, I was thinking of comparison with a Lexus or SUV hybrid. I guess maybe British mountains are mere molehills compared with those in America or on the Continent, likewise heat. I am afraid I can't discount 3DM's experience of the Prius's limitations.

Thanks Dana19812 maybe the limitations of the Prius are theoretical for a lot of people. Somehow I've got to decide which answer is best (not wanting to leave it to a vote)

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Yes, you stand the chance of getting LESS gas mileage than the regular engine counterpart. The basic idea with most hybrids is that it takes advantage of the great amounts of torque that electric motors can put out (One of the reason hybrid systems are banned from racing). It's an efficient way to accelerate. The electric motor is also used for regenerative braking - basically operating in "reverse", it uses its great torque to slow down the car while generating electricity (recharging the batteries.)

The electric motor is not so good at maintaining high speed, so that's where your gasoline engine does all the work. And since the electrical system is not 100% efficient, you also rely on the gas engine to recharge the electrical system, putting a small load on the engine.

Where you run into problems is exactly in situations you describe: extended high loads. In addition to large mountains and high speeds, add a fully loaded car with passengers or any heavy items, running AC on extremely hot days. All these things require greater use of the electric motor, requiring the gas engine to devote more power to generating electricity. If you run the batteries down too low, you'll have no electrical motor, and now you'll be relying on the smaller than average gas motor to get you through the high load situation on its own. Try this as you are going up a steep grade with 4 passengers on a hot day. Not pretty.

City commuting, on the other hand, is GREAT. That's where the hybrid really shines.

Yes, I've had my hybrid going on five years now, and I have learned to live with its limitations. I'm glad that it's not my ONLY car...

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

I think that 3DM, Fred and dana19812 all gave answers which reflect actual experience. Although 3DM's experience may not be something many would encounter it seems very plausibly to me that it could occur.

Answer 2

In the Mirror last Thursday, and the Sunday Mail , shows how batteries have improve enormously over the past five years and the Lightening sports is the fastest sports car to date 0:60. 4 sec.700.HP. 250 miles from one ten minute charge battery life10 years. batteries lithium ion.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

The Prius is a 1.5l and will have less problem than a conventional 1.5 because it also has the electric to kick in if it needs a bit more boost, even at high speed.
There are no "smaller" commercial hybrids available.

Also the Prius engine speed is not directly related to road speed, but to power demand. It runs at pre-set optimal revs, and excess power charges the battery. The Prius is fully automatic and ensures that the power is there at all speeds because of the superior torque characteristics of the electric motor.

with climbing mountains there is the coresponding comming down mountians, and regenerative braking will re-charge the batteries, saving energy over a conventional car.

I commute 50 miles a day on country roads and average 55-60mpg.
But the main advantage over a diesel is how smooth & effortless the driving is; push the on button - silence, flick the switch for forward or reverse & then go. Nearly as good as a pure ev.

Answer 4

I can't say I've ever put a lot of strain on my hybrid, but I have a hard time buying 3DM's comments. You'd really have to be going up a very long and steep hill with a heavy load for this to be a problem. As fred mentions, you'd also make up for the low efficiency going uphill by the electric motor running backwards and recharging the battery while going downhill.

Basically it's not likely something you're going to have to worry about unless you have a very demanding climb.

Source(s):

2007 Prius owner

Answer 5

no, i watched a programme about which cars were the best, it might have been 'tonight...' but the hybrid was actually better than the regular petrol/deisel