*HYBRID VEHICLES

Any vehicle which combines two or more sources of power.

Examples:Diesel electricNuclear electricGasoline - electric*

The two power sources found in hybrid vehicles may be combined in different ways, either in parallel or series

Either one will allow the gasoline engine to shut down when it is not needed.*

Gasoline motorBatteries which powers an electric motorBoth can power the transmission at the same timeElectric motor supplements the gasoline engine

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Gasoline motor turns a generatorGenerator may either charge the batteries or power an electric motor that drives the transmissionAt low speeds is powered only by the electric motor

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Power for the electric motor is supplied by high-voltage nickel-metal hydride batteryBatteries for all hybrids are produced by Panasonic EV Energy in JapanVoltage ranges from 144 volts to 650 volts of DC current

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High voltage wiring may color coded orange, bright blue or even yellow

Batteries vary in design, however, all incorporate individual cells connected to one another

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Individual cells originally contained liquid potassium hydroxideThe liquid is almost totally absorbed by the paper membranes inside each cell of the batteryBecause the liquid is absorbed these batteries are considered dry cell batteries

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Batteries are usually located in the rear of the vehicle under the floor of the trunk or under the rear seat.The wiring harness from the batteries usually runs below the floorpan of the vehicle about one foot in from the drivers side of the vehicle.

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The Ni-MH batteries are recharged through a process call regenerative brakingRegenerative braking takes energy from the forward momentum of the vehicle and captures it while coasting or braking.Occasionally batteries are recharged by the electric motor

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Most gasoline engines in hybrids will shut off when not needed i.e. when stopped in trafficMost hybrids have an indicator light which may alert individuals to the status of the vehicleWhen the vehicle is in this silent mode it may awaken without notice

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