FC300 Project: Investigating Challenges in Hybrid Car Reliability

This extended project report investigates the challenges in improving the reliability of hybrid cars, focusing on their reliability compared to motor engine cars, cost efficiency in making and buying, and the extent to which they are environmentally friendly. The research process involved problem identification, literature review, question setting, data collection, processing, and report writing. Findings suggest that while hybrid cars offer lower emissions, they may generate less power and have potential maintenance cost issues. The report also reflects on the development of communication and research skills, acknowledging difficulties in framing research questions. The study references various sources to support its analysis of the social, environmental, and economic aspects of hybrid cars.

FC300 Extended
Project

TABLE OF CONTENT
• Introduction
• Research Process
• Findings
• Reflection
• References

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.
The three research questions for my extended project are:
 Reliability to hybrid cars to motor engine cars.
 Cost efficiency within making and buying hybrid cars.
 Extent to which hybrid cars are environmental friendly.

RESEARCH PROCESS
• Identifying the problem
• Reviewing literature
• Setting research question
• Selecting the data collection source
• Collecting data
• Processing and analysing data
• Writing the report

RESEARCH FINDINGS
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.

CON…
• 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.

CON…
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.
• But if think about long term than it is cost effective
because it consumes less fuel and is energy saving.

CON…
• 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.

CON…
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.
• As hybrid cars runs by using electricity partially
and the use of gas in the vehicle is less.

REFELECTION
• The current project has developed communication skill in myself.
• By reading this research study i am able get broad idea about the
background and challenges in hybrid cars.
• My research as well as research report writing skills get improved.
• I have faced difficulty in framing research question.
• This I will develop in myself so that I will able to complete the same
project easily in future.

REFERENCES
• Asim, & et.al., (2020). The social and environmental impact of hybrid cars. International Journal
of Research in Entrepreneurship & Business Studies, 1(1), 36-47.
• 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.