Mild Hybrid Cars Explained

 As automakers continue to innovate and explore different ways to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, a new category of vehicles has emerged - mild hybrid cars. But what exactly is a mild hybrid, and how does it differ from traditional hybrid or fully electric vehicles? Let's break it down.

First, let's start with a key term: ICE. Pronounced like the word for frozen water, ICE stands for "internal combustion engine." It refers to an engine that uses gasoline or diesel fuel to power the vehicle.

A mild hybrid vehicle combines a traditional ICE with a small electric motor and battery pack. However, unlike a "full" hybrid vehicle, the electric motor in a mild hybrid cannot power the vehicle on its own for any considerable distance. Instead, the mild hybrid system is designed to provide modest electric assistance to the ICE, such as during acceleration or when the vehicle is idling.

Manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo currently offer mild hybrid models, but the fuel savings compared to non-hybrid counterparts are relatively small. For more substantial fuel savings and electric driving range, car buyers may want to consider a "full" hybrid or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

As the article mentions, PHEVs have larger battery packs that can be recharged from an external power source, allowing for an extended all-electric driving range (potentially up to 50 miles for some models). Once the battery is depleted, the PHEV operates like a traditional hybrid, with the ICE kicking in to power the vehicle.

 ACN (automatic crash notification) - Don't have your phone in hand when you're in a crash? (Not surprising.) This vital safety system automatically alerts first responders and tells them where you are.

DC fast charging - This isn't only for those driving around the nation's capital. It's just the quickest way to juice up your EV—about an hour vs. 9-plus hours using a typical home charger.

Head-up display - Cool feature that projects speed and even navigation onto the windshield in front of the driver so that they do not need to look away from the road.

Turbocharger - Makes a small, energy efficient engine more powerful (and fun) by force-feeding air into the engine's cylinders (picture Popeye eating spinach with a leaf blower).

While mild hybrids may not deliver groundbreaking efficiency, they represent an incremental step towards wider adoption of electrified powertrains and help automakers meet stricter emissions standards. However, buyers interested in maximizing fuel savings would be better served by choosing one of the more capable (albeit costlier) hybrid or EV options on the market.

The electric motor can also enable an auto stop/start feature. This fuel-saving feature shuts off the engine when the vehicle stops and restarts it when the brake pedal is released. While intended to reduce emissions and save gas, the switch that turns this system off may be more popular than the feature itself as some drivers find it annoying.

That wraps up our primer on mild hybrids and some other common automotive tech and terminology. Be sure to let us know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!