When we think about hybrid cars, there are a couple of questions that usually pop up in our minds. How do hybrid cars work? How does a Prius transmission work? Is it similar to a typical CVT or is it something different? How energy efficient is this new technology compared to conventional gasoline cars?
The transmission in the Prius is known as the Power Split Device as per Toyota and it is not a typical CVT transmission technology.
The advantage of using hybrid cars lies in the fact that they reduce the friction caused in gears every time you start and stop a vehicle by making use of the electric motor. The technology contributes by reducing emission and an additional feature which automatically recharges the battery every time you apply the brakes.
2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e
The Toyota Prius hybrid cars have been in the market for many years now and the company has been steadily introducing new features to make the car more appealing to the masses. The hybrid cars simultaneously make use of the electric motor and the gasoline engine to provide a combined power output making it one of the most fuel efficient cars that you could buy today.
The 2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e is the latest of the lot which is available in multiple variants. The pricing of the Toyota Prius LE AWD-e model starts at $26,380 and the high-end variant in the same line goes all the way up to $28,000.
Not so surprisingly, it still falls within the affordable range and people love the Prius as it allows them to dip their hands into the world of hybrid cars without making a big change in their budget.
Besides, the car is supposed to make life easier for those who commute short distances to the office on a daily basis.
The electric motor is easy to operate where you accelerate and apply brakes often. The motor saves fuel costs. Even when you drive on the gasoline engine, it still keeps charging the battery using the regenerative braking technology.
Power Split Device: The Technology Found in the Prius
Power split device is the most important aspect of Prius. It is what helps the vehicle move forward and maintain its speeds as well as making it fuel-efficient by simultaneously making use of both the engines present in the vehicle.
The transmission is definitely a step ahead when compared to conventional gearboxes that are made of lots of gears, gear rod and use mechanical movement to get the car
The Power Split Device is neither automatic nor manual because it is connected at the same time to the electric motor, the generator and the powertrain which is powered by gasoline or diesel.
With this new setup, the car works as a parallel hybrid in which the electric motor will be charged by the car. The gasoline can be used to power the engine and in another scenario, both these engines can provide the combined horsepower to the car delivering the maximum horsepower that can be elicited out of it.
Another interesting aspect of this setup is that the transmission can be used as Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) and there is no need to have a manual or an automatic gearbox.
It might sound very new for those who are used to starting their car using one of these types of gears in it but the split device setup is completely new and could possibly be the future technology that you have been looking forward to. The generator can be used to start the engine and there is no need to have a separate starter.
For details on power split device, read this article.
How Does the Transmission Help the Car Run?
The hybrid cars are always quick to respond which is why you might have come across lots of reviewers and articles suggesting that they are perfect for commuting.
There are no gears or any physical parts that undergo friction when you accelerate the car. Instead, the car will automatically receive its power from the electric motor to start or stop.
At slow speeds, the gasoline engine in the vehicle will remain off and if your trip lasts just 10 miles or so, you can cover the entire distance by using the all-electric mode.
There is no need to change to the gasoline engine at all but when you cruise your vehicle above 40 mph, the engine will automatically kick in to provide the extra power your vehicle needs to touch its top speed.
All of this happens automatically and there is no need for the driver to choose which engine the car should run on which simplifies the entire process.
A constant speed will be maintained and if you push its maximum horsepower by pressing the accelerator, the additional power needed will be drawn from the batteries.
The battery on the Prius does not have to be charged manually by the user as it is done automatically by the engine which constantly charges the car using regenerative braking and other means to keep it ready to switch to electric when required.
Prius – There’s No Need to Plug the Prius in a Power Outlet
Most buyers who are interested in buying the 2019 Toyota Prius or any other model in the series are always unsure whether they need to plug-in to charge the car.
There are different types of hybrid cars available in the stores and PHEV is one of the known models out there.
The Prius was not designed to be plugged into a power outlet to charge.
The battery charging is done by the engine which works every time you apply brakes and through other means so that nominal charge is always maintained. It is charged and ready to go whenever you have to switch to the all-electric mode or when cruising at low speeds. That helps the vehicle
According to Toyota’s official description, the Prius is a charge-sustaining hybrid device where the battery is always ready to go.
Similar to any other car, it is not advisable to leave the car stagnant for more than four weeks as it could affect the battery life.
While all conventional cars do have batteries in them to help power up the infotainment system, the indicators and other electric appliances within, they are much larger and are used for minimal purposes. The electric motor is connected to small batteries that are usually 10kWh or slightly higher which can easily drain out within weeks rather than months as conventional batteries do.
Fully discharging the battery could lead to lots of other expenses and sometimes even getting it replaced before you start the car.
So, when using a Prius, the company advises that everyone should be aware of the fact that the car should be driven throughout the year without any extended breaks.
If such a break comes in where you have to leave the car unattended for months, request a mechanic to disconnect the batteries and drain the fuel so that it doesn’t clog the gasoline engine. Preparing the car will allow it to be started up again with minimal fuss and will make sure all components are intact.
You can read about the Prius charging here.
Running the Prius Entirely on Gasoline
The entire purpose of purchasing a Toyota Prius hybrid is to make use of the electric motor in it. It provides many benefits including better fuel efficiency, low drag and improves the overall driving experience when you are driving in the freeway or commuting within the city.
However, it is possible to drive the car entirely using the gasoline engine as your sole source of power and it wouldn’t hurt the engine.
The Prius is one of the best compact cars around that excels in terms of build quality, great transmission, design and lots of features in every new model.
If all you want to do is have a hybrid, electric motor as a backup and don’t want to use it, you can do so by making use of the modes available in the car.
The makers at Toyota and all other top manufacturers who make a hybrid car have experimented with technology to make some of the complex things possible in recent times.
They have managed to not only mount an electric motor and a battery, but they have also managed to connect the wheels and the transmission to provide one smooth experience. You don’t have to manually do things and the entire process makes using a hybrid vehicle such as the Prius fun and eco-friendly.