According to terminology, hybrid cars are vehicles that use more than one energy source to drive the wheels. In practice, these are cars that combine two types of power units working together: a conventional internal combustion engine and an electric motor. That is, the car can operate on both gasoline and electricity. Such cars have won the recognition of American car owners from the first days of their appearance on the market due to their fuel efficiency and ease of operation. And today, hybrids are represented in the lineups of all leading car manufacturers in the world.
Types of Hybrid Cars
The term "hybrid" includes several variants of drive implementation for cars:
- Series. Here, a gasoline or diesel ICE is connected with an electric generator, while the electric motor is connected to the wheels. The energy produced by the generator either goes to the electric motor or to the battery. Such cars are marked REEV or EREV. In braking mode, the electric motor acts as a generator, transferring charge to the battery. This scheme is implemented in the Chevrolet Volt.
- Parallel. Here, both the electric and gasoline engines are connected to the traction wheels. They can operate either separately or jointly. The electric motor receives energy from the battery. They are characterized by simplicity and low cost. Honda produces hybrids of this category.
- Series-Parallel. This is a combination of the first two variants. The driving wheels can receive energy from both the gasoline and electric engines. The car can drive about 1.5-2.0 km solely on electric power, and then it switches to ICE, while the electric motor works in generator mode, restoring the battery capacity. This scheme is implemented in many Toyota models, particularly in the Prius.
- Combined. This is implemented exclusively in all-wheel-drive models. The front wheels here are actuated by a series-parallel scheme, while the rear ones have their own electric motor. Representatives of this category of hybrids are the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid.
- Plug-ins (plug-in hybrid). Here, the battery capacity of the electric motor is restored not due to energy recovery during braking, but from a regular household socket. Plug-ins can travel up to 80 km or more on electric power alone.
Why are hybrids popular?
Car owners choose hybrid cars due to a number of significant advantages:
- Reduced fuel consumption: approximately 25% compared to similar cars with ICE;
- Reduced toxicity and volume of harmful emissions: 90% less than with ICE;
- Greater range compared to electric cars;
- Increased comfort in the cabin: there are no noise from the running engine.
In terms of economy, a "hybrid" will be particularly advantageous in metropolises with eternal traffic jams. In urban mode with idling and traffic jams, it is more profitable to use electricity. But when the car gains full speed, it is worth switching to gasoline.
Best-selling cars at US insurance auctions
According to statistics, hybrids are the leaders in sales at US insurance auctions:
Just this year alone, about 25,000 Toyota Prius were sold from Copart and IAAI. There are fewer of other models, but the figure is impressive.
Main damages to hybrids
It should be understood that the vehicles sold at insurance auctions are those that have been in accidents, subjected to vandalism, natural disasters (hail, hurricane, flood, etc.). When choosing a used car from the USA, you should pay attention not only to the hybrid drive scheme, brand, model, but also to the damage to the car. This will determine the complexity and cost of its restoration in Ukraine, which in turn determines the feasibility of the purchase. The photo shows the most "popular" damages to hybrids.
It is important to pay attention not only to the type of damage, but also to its severity. Not only body parts may require restoration, but also what is hidden under them.
Change in the price of hybrids at auctions in 2020
Throughout 2020, the price of hybrids at US auctions was roughly within $3000. In January-February, it was about $3500, but in March-April, it fell significantly due to quarantine restrictions. A hybrid in good technical condition and with minor damage could be bought for $2400-$2500. Then a gradual increase began, reaching $3500. Such cars returned to this level already in August. They are roughly at this mark today, allowing anyone who wishes to choose a good hybrid car for a reasonable amount of money.
