Debunking hybrid myths with Toyota
06 Mar 2020|8,177 views


DEBUNKING HYBRID MYTHS WITH TOYOTA
Text | Idris Talib
Photos | Editorial Team, Toyota
Photos | Editorial Team, Toyota
6 March 2020
Hybrid cars are certainly gaining popularity nowadays, but there are still a number of misconceptions going about how they function. We made an article to dismiss them
When one talks about hybrid systems, one must mention Toyota. Its most popular car when it comes to it, the Prius, certainly has normalised the idea of electric assisted propulsion in the last two decades.
So when it comes down to debunking misconceptions about hybrid cars, Toyota is perhaps the best company to find out more. Here's how.
When one talks about hybrid systems, one must mention Toyota. Its most popular car when it comes to it, the Prius, certainly has normalised the idea of electric assisted propulsion in the last two decades.
So when it comes down to debunking misconceptions about hybrid cars, Toyota is perhaps the best company to find out more. Here's how.
Myth #1: Hybrid cars are expensive to maintain
The electric motor is in fact, extremely durable. It has far less moving parts, and without oil to change or spark plugs that need replacement, it has a long service life.
Thanks to electric power, the internal combustion engine, as well as other mechanical systems such as brakes, do not need to work as hard. Therefore, the service life of these parts is extended.
When it comes to replacement parts, one might point out that batteries are consumable items. It is good to know then that the hybrid batteries of Toyota hybrids are designed to last the lifetime of the car.
Plus, if you buy a Toyota hybrid from Borneo Motors, it offers a 10-year warranty on the hybrid battery, ensuring peace of mind.
The electric motor is in fact, extremely durable. It has far less moving parts, and without oil to change or spark plugs that need replacement, it has a long service life.
Thanks to electric power, the internal combustion engine, as well as other mechanical systems such as brakes, do not need to work as hard. Therefore, the service life of these parts is extended.
When it comes to replacement parts, one might point out that batteries are consumable items. It is good to know then that the hybrid batteries of Toyota hybrids are designed to last the lifetime of the car.
Plus, if you buy a Toyota hybrid from Borneo Motors, it offers a 10-year warranty on the hybrid battery, ensuring peace of mind.
Myth #2: Mild hybrid and hybrid systems are the same
While they both have electric and internal combustion engine power combined, these two systems should not be confused with each other
Mild hybrids function mainly to power electric components such as air conditioning and infotainment features, as well as supplement the engine with a small electric boost during acceleration at low engine speeds. The primary power source is still the fuel-driven engine.
Hence, mild hybrids are rarely able to be propelled solely by electric power, and only aid in coasting or start-stop situations.
A Toyota hybrid, on the other hand, can be propelled just on electric power alone. In a full or self-charging Toyota hybrid, pure electric power can be enjoyed for up to 50% of city journeys and when cruising at speeds of up to 50km/h.
While they both have electric and internal combustion engine power combined, these two systems should not be confused with each other
Mild hybrids function mainly to power electric components such as air conditioning and infotainment features, as well as supplement the engine with a small electric boost during acceleration at low engine speeds. The primary power source is still the fuel-driven engine.
Hence, mild hybrids are rarely able to be propelled solely by electric power, and only aid in coasting or start-stop situations.
A Toyota hybrid, on the other hand, can be propelled just on electric power alone. In a full or self-charging Toyota hybrid, pure electric power can be enjoyed for up to 50% of city journeys and when cruising at speeds of up to 50km/h.
Myth #3: You need to plug in and charge a hybrid car
This is true only for fully-electric cars. Hybrid cars do not need to be plugged in to charge.
Toyota's hybrid system is able to charge up the batteries either with excess power from the petrol engine, regenerative braking, or a combination of both.
Therefore, you will save time by making fewer trips to the petrol station, and there's no need to wait for the car to charge up like an electric car.
This is true only for fully-electric cars. Hybrid cars do not need to be plugged in to charge.
Toyota's hybrid system is able to charge up the batteries either with excess power from the petrol engine, regenerative braking, or a combination of both.
Therefore, you will save time by making fewer trips to the petrol station, and there's no need to wait for the car to charge up like an electric car.
Myth #4: If the hybrid battery is flat, the car will not move
This is not possible, as hybrid cars have systems in place to constantly have the battery charged and discharged accordingly
Even if the hybrid battery is completely flat, there is still the petrol engine. You definitely can start and drive the car, and soon enough the battery will be charged.
Therefore, you are assured that the car will function just like it should a normal car with fuel in the tank.
This is not possible, as hybrid cars have systems in place to constantly have the battery charged and discharged accordingly
Even if the hybrid battery is completely flat, there is still the petrol engine. You definitely can start and drive the car, and soon enough the battery will be charged.
Therefore, you are assured that the car will function just like it should a normal car with fuel in the tank.
Myth #5: Hybrid cars are gutless!
If you have driven a hybrid car, you will know that this isn't true.
Electric power is instantaneous, and electric motors deliver maximum torque without the need to be revved up.
While the petrol engine requires to reach a certain RPM to deliver peak torque, the electric motor is able to fill in the gaps seamlessly.
This in fact translates to a more efficient power delivery. With electric power, the petrol engine doesn't require to work as hard, resulting in better fuel economy figures we know hybrid cars, such as Toyotas, provide.
If you have driven a hybrid car, you will know that this isn't true.
Electric power is instantaneous, and electric motors deliver maximum torque without the need to be revved up.
While the petrol engine requires to reach a certain RPM to deliver peak torque, the electric motor is able to fill in the gaps seamlessly.
This in fact translates to a more efficient power delivery. With electric power, the petrol engine doesn't require to work as hard, resulting in better fuel economy figures we know hybrid cars, such as Toyotas, provide.

Hybrid cars are certainly gaining popularity nowadays, but there are still a number of misconceptions going about how they function. We made an article to dismiss them
When one talks about hybrid systems, one must mention Toyota. Its most popular car when it comes to it, the Prius, certainly has normalised the idea of electric assisted propulsion in the last two decades.
So when it comes down to debunking misconceptions about hybrid cars, Toyota is perhaps the best company to find out more. Here's how.
When one talks about hybrid systems, one must mention Toyota. Its most popular car when it comes to it, the Prius, certainly has normalised the idea of electric assisted propulsion in the last two decades.
So when it comes down to debunking misconceptions about hybrid cars, Toyota is perhaps the best company to find out more. Here's how.


Myth #1: Hybrid cars are expensive to maintain
The electric motor is in fact, extremely durable. It has far less moving parts, and without oil to change or spark plugs that need replacement, it has a long service life.
Thanks to electric power, the internal combustion engine, as well as other mechanical systems such as brakes, do not need to work as hard. Therefore, the service life of these parts is extended.
When it comes to replacement parts, one might point out that batteries are consumable items. It is good to know then that the hybrid batteries of Toyota hybrids are designed to last the lifetime of the car.
Plus, if you buy a Toyota hybrid from Borneo Motors, it offers a 10-year warranty on the hybrid battery, ensuring peace of mind.
The electric motor is in fact, extremely durable. It has far less moving parts, and without oil to change or spark plugs that need replacement, it has a long service life.
Thanks to electric power, the internal combustion engine, as well as other mechanical systems such as brakes, do not need to work as hard. Therefore, the service life of these parts is extended.
When it comes to replacement parts, one might point out that batteries are consumable items. It is good to know then that the hybrid batteries of Toyota hybrids are designed to last the lifetime of the car.
Plus, if you buy a Toyota hybrid from Borneo Motors, it offers a 10-year warranty on the hybrid battery, ensuring peace of mind.


Myth #2: Mild hybrid and hybrid systems are the same
While they both have electric and internal combustion engine power combined, these two systems should not be confused with each other
Mild hybrids function mainly to power electric components such as air conditioning and infotainment features, as well as supplement the engine with a small electric boost during acceleration at low engine speeds. The primary power source is still the fuel-driven engine.
Hence, mild hybrids are rarely able to be propelled solely by electric power, and only aid in coasting or start-stop situations.
A Toyota hybrid, on the other hand, can be propelled just on electric power alone. In a full or self-charging Toyota hybrid, pure electric power can be enjoyed for up to 50% of city journeys and when cruising at speeds of up to 50km/h.
While they both have electric and internal combustion engine power combined, these two systems should not be confused with each other
Mild hybrids function mainly to power electric components such as air conditioning and infotainment features, as well as supplement the engine with a small electric boost during acceleration at low engine speeds. The primary power source is still the fuel-driven engine.
Hence, mild hybrids are rarely able to be propelled solely by electric power, and only aid in coasting or start-stop situations.
A Toyota hybrid, on the other hand, can be propelled just on electric power alone. In a full or self-charging Toyota hybrid, pure electric power can be enjoyed for up to 50% of city journeys and when cruising at speeds of up to 50km/h.


Myth #3: You need to plug in and charge a hybrid car
This is true only for fully-electric cars. Hybrid cars do not need to be plugged in to charge.
Toyota's hybrid system is able to charge up the batteries either with excess power from the petrol engine, regenerative braking, or a combination of both.
Therefore, you will save time by making fewer trips to the petrol station, and there's no need to wait for the car to charge up like an electric car.
This is true only for fully-electric cars. Hybrid cars do not need to be plugged in to charge.
Toyota's hybrid system is able to charge up the batteries either with excess power from the petrol engine, regenerative braking, or a combination of both.
Therefore, you will save time by making fewer trips to the petrol station, and there's no need to wait for the car to charge up like an electric car.


Myth #4: If the hybrid battery is flat, the car will not move
This is not possible, as hybrid cars have systems in place to constantly have the battery charged and discharged accordingly
Even if the hybrid battery is completely flat, there is still the petrol engine. You definitely can start and drive the car, and soon enough the battery will be charged.
Therefore, you are assured that the car will function just like it should a normal car with fuel in the tank.
This is not possible, as hybrid cars have systems in place to constantly have the battery charged and discharged accordingly
Even if the hybrid battery is completely flat, there is still the petrol engine. You definitely can start and drive the car, and soon enough the battery will be charged.
Therefore, you are assured that the car will function just like it should a normal car with fuel in the tank.


Myth #5: Hybrid cars are gutless!
If you have driven a hybrid car, you will know that this isn't true.
Electric power is instantaneous, and electric motors deliver maximum torque without the need to be revved up.
While the petrol engine requires to reach a certain RPM to deliver peak torque, the electric motor is able to fill in the gaps seamlessly.
This in fact translates to a more efficient power delivery. With electric power, the petrol engine doesn't require to work as hard, resulting in better fuel economy figures we know hybrid cars, such as Toyotas, provide.
If you have driven a hybrid car, you will know that this isn't true.
Electric power is instantaneous, and electric motors deliver maximum torque without the need to be revved up.
While the petrol engine requires to reach a certain RPM to deliver peak torque, the electric motor is able to fill in the gaps seamlessly.
This in fact translates to a more efficient power delivery. With electric power, the petrol engine doesn't require to work as hard, resulting in better fuel economy figures we know hybrid cars, such as Toyotas, provide.