Hybrid cars are fast becoming one of the most popular ways to travel. Not only do they help maintain the environment, but they also cost you less by using less fuel than your average car. Although they are fast becoming a must-have phenomenon, not many of us actually know how they work, so here is the low down on just how a hybrid car operates.

A hybrid car has two different power plants under the hood: a powerful electric motor and a conventional gasoline engine. The point of this concept is that the fuel powered engine acts as a back up to the electric motor, which equates to less fuel being used.

During coasting and slow down phases when a driver lightly taps on the breaks, the car's wheels are automatically engaged in an electrical generator. This generator assists the brakes in slowing the car down and converts the mechanical energy back into electricity to recharge the car's batteries. This is essentially why hybrid cars do not need to be recharged at the end of the day; they are being recharged when the fuel controlled motor takes charge.

At higher speeds, the fuel burning engine is automatically turned on. Essentially, this is the only time the vehicle is burning fuel and this occurs when the vehicle is at its most fuel efficient pace. The two engines can also work in conjunction with each other, giving each other more power on acceleration.

The use of two different engines means that hybrid cars produce less pollution by emitting less carbon emissions than your average fuel powered vehicle. The cars are also produced with ultra light weight materials, such as carbon and aluminium, which makes them easier and more efficient to drive.

So, now that you know just how hybrid cars work, you no longer have any excuse not to trade in your old fuel powered car and to go green with hybrid.