Hybrid car: definition and operation

E-Tech full hybrid - operation - Renault

the principle behind E-Tech hybrid technology

Renault has developed hybrid technology called full hybrid E-Tech, which is designed for vehicles that do not need to be plugged in and relies on intelligent switching between electric and combustion powertrains.

our hybrid powertrains

Hybrid powertrains offer the option of operating as 100% electric, as a hybrid (electric and petrol engine) or with the petrol engine alone.

They have two electric motors, plus a petrol engine.

The innovative technologies integrated into the car, like smart gearbox, energy management system, and regenerative braking, make it possible to switch between the different powertrains or to operate them simultaneously when necessary. This helps to optimise the vehicle’s performance and consumption.

E-Tech full hybrid - hybrid powertrains - Renault

the different modes of traction

A hybrid engine is made up of two main motors that alternate or operate simultaneously to power the vehicle. Find out about the different modes of traction:

electric traction

At start-up, only the electric motor drives the wheels, therefore no fuel is consumed. Start up quietly and drive up to 70 miles using only electric power, depending on your driving style and the model.*

hybrid traction

This mode involves the simultaneous use of two power sources to drive the vehicle.

For dynamic driving, the petrol engine backs up the electric motor to maintain performance. The two motors work together to increase the power of your car. This is what is known as parallel hybrid operation.

In some cases, when the battery level is low, the two motors operate at the same time, but only the electric motor drives the wheels. In this specific case, the electronic management activates the internal combustion engine to optimise the overall consumption and to recharge the battery. This is what is known as series hybrid operation.

petrol engine traction

When just the petrol engine is running, it is used at its optimal speed, to drive the vehicle’s wheels and to recharge the battery. The vehicle’s overall consumption is optimised and the additional energy is stored to help resume electric driving.

from one mode of traction to another

You can switch from one traction mode to another automatically: the onboard electronic management system optimises your drive without you having to do anything. This system analyses the battery charge level, the demand for acceleration and the type of road, and adapts the traction mode accordingly, which helps to optimise the vehicle’s performance.

managing charging

the battery in full hybrid vehicles

Charges only when you are driving, using kinetic energy. These vehicles do not need to be plugged in, as they have a system that recovers energy when you brake or decelerate. This is enough to completely recharge the battery.

the Renault full hybrid E-Tech range

full hybrid E-Tech

These vehicles charge as you drive and have the advantage of combining two electric motors with a combustion engine. Optimising your vehicle’s performance and consumption.

discover our full hybrid E-Tech range

your questions on how hybrid cars work

The vehicle manages switching between the electric, hybrid and combustion traction automatically using an electronic system. It takes three criteria into account to offer the best compromise between performance and consumption:

the demand for acceleration from the pedal;
the type of road on which you are driving;
the battery charge level.

As the vehicle starts, during steady driving and normal acceleration, a hybrid vehicle mostly uses the electric motor. When you push down harder on the accelerator, when the nature of the terrain requires more power (e.g. for a steep climb) or when the battery is not sufficiently charged, the vehicle engages the petrol engine. Depending on the case, the petrol engine will complement the electric motor (hybrid traction) or replace it entirely (combustion engine traction).

No, it’s not possible.

A hybrid car continues to drive, even when the traction battery is depleted, by using the petrol engine. However, the opposite is not true: the hybrid and electric traction modes are there to operate alternately with the combustion mode, but not to replace it entirely. If a hybrid car has run out of petrol, the other modes of traction can only take over briefly before the car stops.

The electric battery is not always used, as the vehicle also operates using the petrol engine. The wear on the battery is therefore gradual and does not provoke a sufficient loss of capacity to prevent the vehicle from operating.

Moreover, if the vehicle is protected from extreme temperatures, particularly the cold, it can last for a hybrid vehicle’s entire life span.

The battery in a Renault hybrid vehicle is guaranteed for 8 years or 100, 000 miles.

any other questions?view the glossary

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