In addition to being classified by the level of electrification, we can also be divided by the construction of hybrid vehicles. At present, the most common is the parallel hybrid vehicle, which covers the above-mentioned light hybrid vehicles, full hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. There are also series hybrid vehicles common on the market, and power split hybrid vehicles are a combination of the two.
Parallel hybrid electric vehicle
A parallel hybrid vehicle has two drive systems, namely an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Both drive the car forward and are connected to the drive shaft. They can be deployed on demand: the car can be powered by pure electric, pure internal combustion engines, or a combination of the two. When using this type of drive system, the sum of the power of the motor and the internal combustion engine is the total power.
Series hybrid electric vehicles
A series hybrid has an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, but only one drive system. Its power source is in series: typically, the motor drives the car forward, and the internal combustion engine generates electricity for the battery. Its power source is not mechanical connection.
Such hybrid vehicles also use the range extender concept. In short, when the battery is dead, the internal combustion engine only acts as a generator to charge it until the car reaches the charging pile.
Power split hybrid electric vehicle
Parallel and series hybrid drive systems can also be combined into a single vehicle. When using a power-shunt hybrid vehicle (also known as a series-parallel hybrid vehicle), the driver can use either of the two drive systems.