This post is brought to you by Toyota.
Should your next car be a hybrid? Well, Toyota does make some enticing propositions on why that answer should be a yes. As one of the world’s largest automakers, it has been pioneering hybrid electric technology for nearly a quarter of a century.
Back in 1997, Toyota kicked off its low-emissions revolution by debuting the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Prius. Since then, the Japanese automaker has been refining its hybrid system to deliver the optimal mixture of efficiency and power.
Today, you can find the latest iteration of Toyota’s hybrid electric technology in the Corolla Cross Hybrid Electric and Innova Zenix Hybrid Electric, both of which are sold in Malaysia.
As you might have guessed by now, the hybrid system derives power from two sources – an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Based on the driving conditions, the system can switch between the electric motor and engine or use both together for additional power while remaining efficient.
The hybrid system starts the car in pure electric mode and maintains this mode as you gradually accelerate off. Therefore, when you’re driving around your neighbourhood, office car park or in stop-and-go traffic, you’re saving fuel by not using the engine and not polluting the air with exhaust emissions.
When the roads clear up and you need the power to overtake a couple of cars, the onboard computer can fire up the engine to work in tandem with the electric motor for maximum performance. Since the engine has assistance from the electric motor, it doesn’t need to push itself too hard, hence saving fuel. Moreover, anytime the engine is running, it also charges the battery.
At high speeds on the highway, the engine exclusively powers the wheels since at higher speeds, an internal combustion engine is more efficient compared to an electric motor.
What this means is that you get the most efficient power source in any driving condition without having to do anything other than just enjoy your drive. Thanks to the instantaneous response you get from the high-torque electric motor followed by the surge of power from the engine, you can have quite a bit of fun on your commute.
As you coast towards a traffic light or brake for a sharp turn, the engine switches off. Some of that braking energy is used to turn a generator which then charges the battery. This process is called regenerative braking. With the engine and regenerative braking helping to charge the battery, you don’t have to worry about running out of charge.
Regenerative braking also takes some of the stress out of the brake pads, reducing the frequency of replacements. On the other hand, taking the stress out of you is the 8-year warranty offered by Toyota on the battery with the option of extending it for another 2 years. That said, you can have peace of mind knowing that Toyota’s batteries for the hybrid system are designed to be safe and long-lasting, just like its vehicles.
Are you convinced yet that your next car should be a hybrid? If you need a little more coaxing, just head down to your nearest Toyota showroom and test drive the Corolla Cross Hybrid Electric and Innova Zenix Hybrid Electric.
