Challenges in Improving Reliability of Hybrid Cars: Cost Efficiency and Environmental Friendliness

This report discusses the challenges faced in improving the reliability of hybrid cars, including cost efficiency and environmental friendliness. It covers topics such as the reliability of hybrid cars over motor engine cars, the cost efficiency of making and buying hybrid cars, and the extent to which hybrid cars are more environmentally friendly.

EXTENDED PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY- Section 1................................................................................................................4
Reliability of hybrid cars over motor engine cars.......................................................................4
Section 2...........................................................................................................................................5
The cost efficiency of making and buying a hybrid cars............................................................5
Section 3...........................................................................................................................................6
To what extend are hybrid cars more environmentally friendly.................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
The topic for the extended project is the challenges faced within the process of
improving reliability of hybrid cars. The rationale behind choosing this topic is that hybrid cars
hold the major part within mechanical engineering. These are future within mechanical industry.
Electric vehicles run on being partially or even completely powered with the electric power. Such
vehicles run on low lost for running and less moving parts that are involved within maintaining
process for the car. Electric vehicles are known for being environmental friendly as it works
while consuming little and less fossil fuel. Motor drivers are electronic devices that are used for
the purpose of controlling torque of the vehicle, position its outputs as well as motor speed
(Migal, & et.al., (2019)). These drivers provide power into the motor so that it runs with the
required output. Energy sources is the process involving various activities that are aimed to
consume energy from different sources. These sources are necessary to be from natural
resources. Power electronics is yet another key term used within the areas of extended project
and is the application of solid- state electronics that will control the process of converting electric
power. Vehicle- to- grid includes drawing unused power from the car and using it for smart grids,
that is vehicle grid integration. These smart grids will help in supplying energy during peak
hours. Battery storage is the process where the devices help in enabling devices from
renewable sources such as solar, wind, that will be stored and released based on the needs
and demands of the customers. Electric generator is a device that converts the power within
motor to make it use within the external circuits and lastly, transmission is the device that is
used to interpose between the sources of power and produce specific applications. It works on
the application and on the purpose of adapting one to other. The three research questions for
my extended project are:
1. Reliability to hybrid cars to motor engine cars.
2. Cost efficiency within making and buying hybrid cars.
3. Extent to which hybrid cars are environmental friendly.
This report deals with addressing certain question that are associated with my area of
research that is improving the reliability on hybrid cars that are environmental friendly (Rakov, &
et.al., (2021, March)). This introduction is followed by addressing each of the question in same
sequence as above. The answers to the research questions are done by collecting good
amount of evidence from reliable and valid sources. Lastly, this report will end with a conclusion
stating all the summary of the things learned.

MAIN BODY- Section 1
Reliability of hybrid cars over motor engine cars
Hybrid cars are rapidly growing within the mechanical industry, however, electric cars
have not become a mainstream source. Car manufacturers are looking for various ways that will
help in reducing the carbon emission from road vehicles while improving the economy. Hybrids
produce low- emissions over engine cars using diesel and petrol. In hybrids, these engines are
paired with a form of electric drive (Ehsani, & Mi, (2021)). Popularity of hybrids is rising in the
market, where self- charging hybrids are more reliable than other types of drivetrains. The
reason behind hybrids being more reliable even with the extra complexity in its operations as
petrol and diesel systems can make the car more resistant to failure. Hybrid cars are more
resistant to wear as it eliminates the use of clutch so, will never disengage. Motor runs
electrically so it involves very less moving parts while assisting the petrol in heavy- demand
situations. Due to this hybrid engine does not work very hard thus, sustaining to run for a longer
duration.
Some of the complicated pat within a hybrid engine includes, power inverter that is non-
moving and the software that is responsible for controlling it all. There are very few issues
reported regarding the working of petrol- electric hybrid car. Both the engines work well despite
of the complexities and simpler than engine motor cars. Making use of hybrid cars will reduce
the likelihood of having any engine related problems. These cars are less dependable than the
fuel cars which makes it reliability to improve within the markets it is established in. With rise in
challenges from the carbon emissions, the use of hybrid cars will also increase (Asim, & et.al.,
(2020)). The frequency of repair for hybrid cars are comparatively less than for that of the
regular engine cars. The performance of hybrids is very well over the traditional gasoline
powered engines, as hybrids experience fewer engine and transmission issues (Are hybrid cars
reliable? How petrol- electric models compared to petrol and diesel for mechanical failure,
2020). Hybrid cars are more reliable because it is build on a proven reliable gas- powered
platforms. These new generation cars have the power to revolutionize transportation by road
with the help of reducing the fuel consumption thus, decreasing the elimination of green house
gases. The success and performance of these vehicles is dependent on the process of
selecting various power train architectures and technologies including the traction motors,
energy storage systems and different strategies for managing the power.
On a contradictory note, there are sources stating major disadvantages of being reliable
towards hybrid cars. It generates less power as the gasoline engine is the primary source of

generating power from the twin pair of engines, this power is less when compared to single
engine car. The twin engine consists of gasoline engine and lighter engine that runs electrically
along with powerful set of batteries (Qawasmeh, & et.al., (2017).). It takes up huge space and
can result in fuel inefficiency. Downsizing better space will help in generating less support within
the suspension and body. Using hybrid engines results in having higher costs for maintenance
as there is continuous improvement in technology. In addition to this, there are high chances of
having lethal accidents due to batteries with a high chance of being electrocuted.
Many sources believed that use of hybrid cars will help in producing many benefits such
as being environmental friendly as it runs cleaner than engine motor cars while producing better
gas mileage, making it environmental friendly (Capata, & Tatti, (2020)). Moreover, this car runs
on twin power engine that will cut the consumption of fuel and promote conservation of energy.
It is less dependable on fossil fuels, as it requires less fuel to run thus producing fewer
environmental harmful emissions. This also contributes in reducing the price of gasoline for the
domestic market use. In addition to this, hybrid cars have regenerative braking system that
means, when the brakes are applied during driving, it will recharge the battery a little. This
mechanism kicks the process of storing the released energy and using it to charge the same. It
destructs the amount of time involved to stop recharge of the battery at periodic basis. Hybrids
are made from light materials and have smaller engines with the automatic start and stop
feature.
Section 2
The cost efficiency of making and buying a hybrid cars
If talking about the cost of hybrid cars than purchasing such car is costly as compared to
the traditional cars which runs by using fuel only. As the initial expenses are their in purchasing
hybrid cars. Producing hybrid cars require more investment so that is why it is sold costly (Haq
& Weiss (2018)). But if think about long term than it is cost effective because it consumes less
fuel and is energy saving. Hybrid cars are made form advanced technology which consumes
electricity for running. For consumers hybrid cars are the best purchasing decision because it
does not use fuel and use electricity. It can be seen that fuel is the scarce resource and in the
future there will be scarcity of fuel so investing in the hybrid cars today can make considerable
difference in the life of the consumers.
Buying hybrid cars may be not sound that much affordable as compared to normal cars
but these cars when used in the long run will help in saving money (Ramea & et.al. (2018)).
Fuel has become expensive matter and its cost is increasing day by day. So that is why there

has been need arise for making hybrid cars. Cost aspect and environment aspect both have
become the most concerned aspect. Hybrid cars have helped in solving these two issues.
Manufacturing hybrid cars is costly that is why they are sold also at high cost. The battery which
is used in the hybrid cars is expensive which is used in normal cars. The manufacturing process
of hybrid car is costly because it involves advanced technology in the making process (Moon &
Lee (2019)). Usage of advanced technology makes the production process expensive.
The routine maintenance in solving the minor issues and repairs within hybrid cars is
almost same when compared to regular motor engine car. However in the case of car with
hybrid system after its warranty is over can be very expensive to use and repair. Hybrid cars will
cost more on up front when compared to standard cars of similar size (Szramowiat, (2018,
September)). The maintenance for hybrid cars is a problem cost wise, there are just dealerships
offering its maintenance and this is expensive. Moreover, the technology associated with hybrid
cars is associated with, thus making it difficult to mechanics its repair and making the cost
higher. It is very hard and expensive to find mechanics exhibiting such high level expertise.
There are chances that the battery pack of these car might fail, then the cost associated with it
can be staggering. The process of replacing the battery is very rare in current market condition,
thus making it pricey to replace. In addition to this, the production of hydrogen is very expensive
that is used within hydrogen fuel cells. These fuel cells will require the be refuelled at specific
hydrogen stations.
The limitations for this is about the lack of academic evidences, that makes it hard to find
and analyse data related to the research question. The solution for such issue include choosing
best and trusted sources of links and related websites that will assist in finding required
evidence.
Section 3
To what extend are hybrid cars more environmentally friendly
It can be said that hybrid cars are good for the economy because it consumes less fuel
which improvises the fuel economy. As hybrid cars runs with battery so that is why it can be said
that it burns less fuel. It further leads to less carbon emissions (Naderi & Van Steenburg
(2018)). As hybrid cars runs by using electricity partially and the use of gas in the vehicle is less.
Hybrid cars are also tagged as the green save of the auto mobile industry. Hybrid cars comes
into picture when people have started getting concerned about the environment. In order to
save the environment and protect it from the pollution it is important that people should use less
non renewable energy and more usage of renewable energy. Hybrid cars are also in more

fashion because of the increased fuel prices across the globe. Prices of fuel is rising because it
is reducing day by day. This also helpful in shrinking the carbon footprint.
Auto mobile industry is responsible for the greenhouse gases which are carbon
monoxide, sulphur oxide, carbon dioxide etc. these gases are harmful and affecting lungs of an
individual. Environment friendly people are investing in hybrid cars because they are concerned
for the future generation. These cars are seen as the future transportation because it requires
less fuel. It is made with advanced technology which decreases the carbon creation. Reduction
in carbon is good because it decrease the level of pollution in the environment (Hamamoto
(2019)). Hybrid cars is helping in reaching the goal of zero carbon emission. Hybrid cars are
environment friendly because it runs cleaner and provides better gas mileage. It uses electric
power and fuel both. The usage of electric power more cuts the fuel consumption which makes
them environment savvy. Also hybrid cars are easy to charge along with fuel savvy these cars
are also cost savvy. As these cars consumes very less fuel as compared to common cars which
makes it cost savvy.
Their has been research conducted which prove that hybrid cars are hyped and it is not
environment savvy. It is true that when hybrid cars runs then they consume less fuel as
compared to other normal cars but if talking about the production process then it can be said
that hybrid cars require more energy at the time of manufacturing which produces more
greenhouse gases and fossil fuels are more burned in the production process (Ghasemlou &
et.al. (2020)). When producing hybrid cars battery then also it needed much more energy when
producing normal cars battery which results in more carbon emissions and also release more
gases like sulphur oxide. It further said that building hybrid cars and normal cars require same
high tech process. The first manufacturer of hybrid cars which is Toyota has admitted that
producing hybrid cars consumes more energy and more carbon dioxide because it has to be
provided heavy battery packs.
The limitation of this research is time management. For conducting this research,
researcher have limited time. As per the limited time he or she should have worked precisely
and gave limited time to every activity. In order to manage time, researcher can also make time
table so that work can be completed on time. In this current research it is found that the problem
with time management was coming from starting only because in the initial stage only
researcher have not focus on time properly (Sörqvist, Colding & Marsh (2020)).
CONCLUSION
Through this report it can be concluded that this research has discussed about the
challenges in context of reliability for hybrid cars. This topic has been chosen for the purpose of

research because hybrid cars are becoming popular day by day. So this research has been
conducted so that to find out that hybrid cars are hyped or not. These cars are the electric
vehicle which are energy savvy. Hybrid cars run with the help of electric battery. Hybrid cars are
more reliable than motor cars because they use renewable energy over non renewable one.
Making hybrid cars may not be cost efficient but running those cars are cost efficient. It doe not
use fuel. Hence it can be said that it is cost effective. As the prices of fuel is increasing everyday
because of its scarcity. Hybrid cars run on battery which is cheap when compared with fuel like
petrol and diesel.
These cars are said to be as the environment friendly cars because they lead to less
carbon footprints and carbon emissions. As compared to normal cars hybrid cars produce less
greenhouse gases which are carbon dioxide, sulphur oxide etc. although there are people
which said that hybrid cars are not environment safe because in their production process it uses
more energy and release more gases which is harmful for the environment. The results which
are surprising is that hybrid cars are not that much environment friendly as per the expectation.
They also generate harmful gases. Large section of society considers hybrid cars as the most
environment friendly car option. This research will provide benefit to the scholars which will
conduct research on the similar topic. By reading this research study they will get broad idea
about the background and challenges in hybrid cars. Apart form scholar, auto mobile industry
will also get benefit from this research.
There are many companies in the auto mobile sector which has planned or is planning
for manufacturing hybrid cars. The current result will give them broad idea about the benefits
and the limitations which are associated with the hybrid cars. Consumers will also find out this
research useful because through the research they will decide to purchase hybrid cars or not.
Hybrid cars are hypes very much. So consumer can find out that purchasing such car actually
help them in saving cost or environment or not.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Capata, R., & Tatti, F. (2020). Designing, Prototyping, Assembling and Costs Analysis of a Gas
Turbine Hybrid Vehicle. Energies, 13(18), 4611.
Ehsani, M., & Mi, C. C. (2021). Electric and Hybrid Vehicles [Scanning the Issue]. Proceedings
of the IEEE, 109(6), 962-966.
Ghasemlou, M. & et.al. (2020). Assessment of interfacial interactions between starch and non-
isocyanate polyurethanes in their hybrids. Carbohydrate Polymers, 246, 116656.
Hamamoto, M. (2019). An empirical study on the behavior of hybrid-electric vehicle
purchasers. Energy Policy. 125. 286-292.
Haq, G., & Weiss, M. (2018). Time preference and consumer discount rates-insights for
accelerating the adoption of efficient energy and transport technologies. Technological
Forecasting and Social Change. 137. 76-88.
Migal, & et.al., (2019). Substantiating the criteria for assessing the quality of asynchronous
traction electric motors in electric vehicles and hybrid cars. Journal of the Korean
Society for Precision Engineering, 36(10), 989-999.
Moon, S., & Lee, D. J. (2019). An optimal electric vehicle investment model for consumers using
total cost of ownership: A real option approach. Applied Energy. 253, 113494.
Naderi, I., & Van Steenburg, E. (2018). Me first, then the environment: Young Millennials as
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Qawasmeh, & et.al., (2017). Investigation of performance characteristics of hybrid cars. Int. J.
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Rakov, & et.al., (2021, March). Stagnation in the Development of Internal Combustion Engines
as a Factor of Transition to More Perfect Power Units. In 2021 Systems of Signals
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Ramea, K. & et.al. (2018). Integration of behavioral effects from vehicle choice models into long-
term energy systems optimization models. Energy Economics. 74. 663-676.
Sörqvist, P., Colding, J., & Marsh, J. E. (2020). Psychological obstacles to the efficacy of
environmental footprint tools. Environmental Research Letters. 15(9), 091001.
Szramowiat, M. (2018, September). Comparison of fuel consumption between a vehicle with
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Online
Are hybrid cars reliable? How petrol- electric models compared to petrol and diesel for
mechanical failure, 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/cars/are-hybrid-cars-reliable-how-petrol-
electric-models-compare-petrol-and-diesel-mechanical-failure-2941886>