How Do Lexus Self-Charging Hybrid Vehicles Work?
How Do Lexus Self-Charging Hybrid Vehicles Work?
Posted on March 20, 2024
Our Lexus self-charging hybrid vehicles have been the talk of the town in Edmonton, and for a good reason… but you may be wondering “How do they work?”
Lexus has been paving the way for luxury hybrid and electric vehicles, with self-charging hybrid vehicles creating a convenient and powerful solution for its buyers. Gentler to the planet, more fuel economical, more convenient, and no pesky plug-ins… this is the modern-day solution you’ve been looking for.
This blog will take you along for a ride into the world of our self-charging hybrid vehicles, their design, how they work, and the benefits of these luxury vehicles. Jump on in!
Meet the Lexus Self-Charging Hybrids
Features of Lexus Electric Hybrids
- Gasoline Engine
- Electric Motor
- High-Voltage Battery
- Regenerative Braking System
- Hybrid Transaxle
How does the Self-Charging Hybrid Work?
- 1. Power Source
- 2. Conversion and Charge
- 3. The Drive
Benefits of Lexus Electric Hybrids
- Kinder to the Planet
- Efficient Performance
- Convenience: The Lexus Guarantee
What Self-Charging Hybrid Vehicles Does Lexus Offer?
Get your Lexus Self-Charging Hybrid Vehicle Today
Meet the Lexus Self-Charging Hybrid
The Lexus Hybrid Electrics are self-charging vehicles that seamlessly combine a gas engine and an electric motor. Low emissions, fuel efficiency, big power, and fast acceleration… with no plug-in.
Check out our range of self-charging hybrid vehicles available here.
Features of Lexus Hybrid Electrics
All our self-charging hybrid vehicles combine the power of a gas engine and an electric motor… but the self-charging hybrids have one added advantage - convenience.
Gasoline Engine
The gasoline engine charges the high-voltage battery, providing power for heavier or higher speeds. In the self-charging hybrids, the gas engine will turn off and on under set conditions to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. (Like stop-and-go traffic!)
Electric Motor
Electric motors propel the vehicle forward and provide power to charge the high-voltage battery. This motor is what makes a hybrid a hybrid! Driving in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode uses only the electric motor and produces extremely low emissions.
High-Voltage Battery
This battery can power the vehicle on its own, reducing tailpipe emissions to zero. Additionally, it’s one of two power sources to drive the vehicle, and can also work in conjunction with the gas engine when required.
Regenerative Braking System
The regenerative braking system allows the motor to act as a generator, converting braking energy into electricity. It’s effective in stop-and-go traffic, and can turn your stop into power for your go!
Hybrid Transaxle
The Lexus hybrid transaxle has two roles - although it provides electrical and engine power to the wheels, it ALSO acts as a generator to charge the high-voltage battery. What does this mean? The transaxle converts power from the gas engine and electric motor into electric power for the battery!
Read more about Lexus Hybrid & Hydrogen Fuel Technology.
How does the Self-Charging Hybrid Work?
Now, let's dive into how these features work together.
- Power Source
- Conversion and Charge
- The Drive
1. Power Source
The Lexus Hybrid Electrics have two power sources - these are the high-voltage battery and the gas engine. This HV battery can power the vehicle independently or with the gas engine.
How is the HV battery powered though?
Batteries need to get their power from somewhere… and the high-voltage battery obtains power from the electric motor and gas engine. The gas engine charges the battery, while the electric motor propels the vehicle forward and provides power to the battery.
2. Conversion and Charge
Compared to other vehicles needing a charging system, the Lexus Hybrid Electrics are self-charging.
You can thank the Hybrid Transaxle for that! Not only does it provide electric and engine power to the tires, but it also acts as a generator for the HV battery. The power and energy from the electric motor and gas engine are converted into electric energy to keep the battery charged while you drive!
What about regenerative braking?
The self-charging hybrids also have regenerative braking systems that allow your car battery to charge when you slow down or stop. It allows the motor to act as a generator, converting braking energy into electricity.
(This is especially helpful in traffic! You can save power while standing still.)
What happens when the battery runs out of charge?
The gas engine takes over when the battery is empty, so you’ll never have to worry about battery range.
3. The Drive
You’re promised a smooth, luxurious ride. Combining the gas engine with a high-output electric motor, regenerative braking system, and a high-voltage battery, your luxury vehicle can drive longer and faster.
Watch it in action: How Lexus Hybrid Drive Works
Benefits of Lexus Electric Hybrids
Now that you understand how the self-charging Lexus hybrids work, let’s take a look at the benefits.
Kinder to the Planet
Let's explore the environmental benefits! While the hybrids work in tandem with a gas engine and an electric battery, they can drive using just electric power. This allows you to use our all-electric EV mode for up to 50% of the time.
Self-charging hybrids produce lower emissions making it the more environmentally friendly choice.
Take a look at the 2024 Lexus NX 350h! This self-charging hybrid vehicle with All-Wheel Drive has a fuel rating of 5.7/6.4 (City/Highway, L/100km) compared to its gas counterpart with a fuel rating of 10.5/8.3 (City/Highway, L/100km).
The 2024 NX is built for comfort, luxury, and lowered emissions. You can drive in luxury while using less fuel!
Efficient Performance
Our hybrid vehicles deliver a beautiful performance of power and fuel efficiency.
While you can switch between gas and electric motor while driving, you won’t need to due to the intelligent Power Control Unit. It controls your power flow and monitors your driving conditions while you drive!
Meet our most powerful hybrid vehicle yet, the 2024 Lexus RX 500h. This self-charging hybrid vehicle has low emissions and a standard DIRECT4 All-Wheel Drive (AWD). With 367 horsepower, this hybrid powertrain offers Edmonton drivers even more power than the fuel-based RX 350 which produces 275 horsepower (almost a 100 horsepower difference).
In terms of fuel efficiency, this punchy SUV delivers at 8.7/8.4 (City/Highway, L/100km). Compared to the non-hybrid RX 350 with 11.2/8.4 (City/Highway, L/100km), this vehicle promises better fuel efficiency and power than other hybrid vehicles!
Convenience: The Lexus Guarantee
No plug-in means no delays! There is no need for a plug-in station or to fill your car up as often as conventional vehicles. As your car self-charges, you can get on the road and get to your destination, faster.
Every new and certified pre-owned Lexus hybrid vehicle purchased includes 24-hour emergency roadside and mechanical breakdown assistance in Canada or the continental US, 365 days a year.
Moreover, you get the same Lexus guarantee of reliability, roadside assistance, warranties, and service as all Lexus vehicles.
Bonus: Air-Conditioning
Did you know that, unlike many conventional vehicles, Lexus Hybrid Electric vehicles can run air-conditioning without running the engine? You can thank the Power Control Unit for this feature.
What Self-Charging Hybrid Vehicles Does Lexus Offer?
Want your favourite Lexus vehicle but with the convenience of hybrid self-charging? Check out our list of current Lexus vehicles available with self-charging hybrid powertrains.
- ES 300h
- LC 500h
- LS 500h
- NX 350h
- NX 450h+ (plug-in hybrid)
- RX 350h
- RX 500h
- RX 450h+ (plug-in hybrid)
- TX 500h
- UX 300h
Shop our available hybrid models here.
Get your Lexus Self-Charging Hybrid Vehicle Today
Ready to experience the beauty of the Lexus self-charging hybrids yourself? You are in the right place. Here at Lexus South Pointe in South Edmonton, our team is ready to help you!
You can visit our virtual showroom, read more about our award-winning team, or get in touch with our team for further assistance here.