STARTUP: Only the electric motor is used for start-up and low to mid-range speeds.

NORMAL: When cruising, the engine and motor both drive the wheels: engine power is split between the wheels and an electric generator, which in turn drives the motor. Power allocation is controlled to maximize efficiency. As necessary, the generator also recharges the battery from surplus engine power.

HARD ACCELERATION: The battery supplies additional energy to boost drive power, while the engine and motor provide smooth acceleration response.

DECELERATION/ BRAKING: The high-output motor acts as a high-output generator, driven by the car's wheels. This "regenerative braking system" recovers kinetic energy as electrical energy, which is stored in the high-performance battery.

(Source: toyota.co.jp)

Copyright of crienglish.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction of text for non-commercial purposes is permitted provided that both the source and author are acknowledged and a notifying email is sent to us.