What are mid hybrid vehicles? Are they similar to hybrid vehicles?
Mild hybrid vehicles are also known as the battery-assisted hybrid vehicles. They have some similar features of hybrid vehicles. However, there are many noticeable differences in the engine, functionality, and performance. Mild hybrid vehicles are equipped with an inner combustion engine combined with an electric motor.
The combination of both allows for maximum energy saving and minimum emissions. Some key features of mild hybrids are regenerative braking, smart stop/start, auto off, and coasting.
From the above features, you might be thinking that mild hybrids are similar to standard hybrids. So, before going to details of the mild hybrids, first, we will have a look at the different types of hybrids and then we will look at mild hybrids.
Types of Hybrids
- Parallel Hybrids
- Series Hybrids
- Mild Hybrids
Parallel Hybrids
These hybrids use two or more propelling systems to mobilize the vehicle. One of the most popular models is the conventional petrol-electric vehicle that uses an internal or inner combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor to operate the vehicles.
In these parallel hybrids, the electric motor and ICE are connected to one transmission to enable ICE, Electric only, or ICE+electric configuration.
Series Hybrids
Series hybrids use an electric motor and ICE-like regular hybrids. However, the ICE in these vehicles will have a limited role. It only
Mild Hybrids
Mild Hybrids feature advanced hybrid technology and offer a cost-effective solution. Hybrid vehicles are designed to run on electric power only. But the mild hybrids will not be able to run on the electric power. In mild hybrid vehicles, the electric power acts as a simple accessory to your vehicles’ ICE.
The benefit of the mild hybrid vehicles is that these are least expensive among all the hybrids.
When it comes to performance, you cannot expect the best performance like the regular hybrids. There are some restricted features.
For a list of mild hybrid vehicles look here.
We will discuss the details in the following paragraphs.
Mild Hybrid Technology
The ICE is the least effective at the low RPMs. T
Some models also use an integrated Started Motor combined with a beefier battery to support the ICE where the engine turns to power wheels during the startups.
When your vehicle reaches a certain speed, the combustion engine will take over completely and will use idle start/stop and regenerative braking technology to increase fuel efficiency.
Features, Functions, & Benefits of Mild Hybrid Vehicles
Mild hybrids come between full hybrids and conventional gasoline hybrids. You will find a mild hybrid as a combination of both the above types.
Full hybrids use large batteries. Mild hybrids use a small battery.
It combines motor-generator to generate both electricity and to support the gas engine’s output.
As mild hybrids are not able to offer all-electric propulsion, you cannot expect the best mileage and efficiency like standard hybrids. However, they can help to boost the performance of your vehicle by reducing fuel use.
When you need extra power, the motor-generator use the stored electricity for applying torque to the engine that will ultimately boost output without burning additional fuel. While cruising or coasting, the gasoline engine of your vehicle will spin the motor-generator to generate electricity.
In mild hybrids, you can turn off the engine to save fuel in some situations such as while stopping at traffic lights or coasting down hills. You can reduce fuel consumption and boost the power to a lesser degree than full hybrids at a much lower cost.
Mild hybrids are less complex and use fewer complicated components and smaller batteries.
In mild hybrids, gasoline is the key propulsion source. That means the driving range of your vehicle will be on par with the conventional vehicles. The best system will also enable your engine to be switched off for smaller periods when you are traveling your car at a steady speed.
Mild hybrids offer a number of functions to ensure better fuel efficiency. They come with the improving economically friendly stop-start feature. The added power by the vehicle’ s electrical system will enable the engine to be turned off for about forty seconds while braking to a stop or coasting, then restarting automatically when the acceleration is called for, making for considerable fuel saving.
In addition, mild hybrid systems can be used to power many electrical systems within a vehicle that include stereo, climate control, and some other specific features.
According to the industry analysts, these vehicles are capable of offering seventy percent of the benefits of the full hybrids at thirty percent of the cost.
Hybrid manufacturers are coming up with some distinct features to ensure better fuel efficiency. There is no doubt that these vehicles are well designed to offer the required comfort and the best mileage. However, you are going to spend more on full hybrids and PHEVs.
If you are not ready to take the plunge into buying a full hybrid and PHEV, then you can consider purchasing a mild hybrid. This vehicle might not enable you to be the greenest driver on the road. But it will certainly offer you a cost-effective solution with some benefits of a hybrid.
It is wise to enter the EV world by purchasing a mild hybrid when your budget does not permit you to go with more expensive options.
How Does A Mild Hybrid Work?
Mild vehicles are not fully electric vehicles. So, you can expect some obvious differences.
Most mild hybrids come with a 48-volt battery. This battery is able to offer more power than the standard 12-volt battery found in most vehicles.
These batteries are capable of storing more energy than your conventional vehicle. However, these are much smaller than full hybrids.
Therefore, you cannot expect the best efficiency.
Take the example of the Toyota Prius. It can store three times as much as electricity as Kia Sportage mild hybrid or Audi A7 mild hybrid.
In some mild hybrids, the battery can power the motor under the acceleration and can reduce the need to rev your vehicle’s engine that is particularly efficient.
Also, the motor will keep your mild hybrid going at a steady speed and that does not require much energy. It will allow your engine to be switched off for about forty seconds.
These mild hybrid cars can be recharged during steady driving.
Availability of Mild Hybrid Vehicles
Mild hybrids have become very popular nowadays.
The manufacturers are also introducing new technologies to meet lower emissions targets and offer a cost-effective solution.
These new technologies are suited to both diesel and gasoline engines. Technology can reduce the consumption in a V6 gasoline engine up to 0.6 liters in 100 kilometers.
Audi has offered some of the best mild hybrids. The latest A8, A7, and A6 models use mild hybrid technology.
Two sister companies, Kia and Hyundai, have also launched their mild hybrid models in updated versions of the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. However, it is available only with the largest two liters diesel engine that will cost significantly more than standard diesel.
Audi provides two variants in the driving system of its mild hybrids. There is the familiar 12-volt electrical system in the four-cylinder engines.
The six and eight-cylinder engines and the W12 in the Audi 8 will be equipped with the new 48-volt system and that will serve as the vehicle’s main electric system. A water-cooled alternator starter (BAS) is mounted to the front end of the ICE.
The 48- volt mild hybrid technology provides excellent efficiency and convenience.
When you will take your foot off the accelerator pedal, your vehicle will be able to coast up for about forty seconds while making your engine to make shut up completely.
If you coast at a low speed, the start-stop feature already starts at the 22 km/h. The drive management system will take the information from onboard sensors and a navigation map to know whether coasting is recuperation or fuel-efficient.
Mild hybrid vehicles are cost-effective in comparison to the full hybrids.
The electric motor in the mild hybrids acts as a power booster.
The key benefit of the mild hybrids is that they save fuel by shutting up the gasoline engine while cruising or braking. Some are also designed to capture mechanical energy during braking.