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Most of these involve the coupling of an engine, an electric
motor and sometimes batteries, in various different ways
to allow excess energy that would otherwise have been lost,
to be stored in the vehicle. Energy is created by activities
such as braking and descending hills, or by running the engine
at its most efficient while the stored electrical energy
takes up the variations in required power. This can improve
the vehicle efficiency and fuel consumption dramatically.
Many manufacturers are running development work on such systems.
So far hybrids are more expensive and heavier than normal
engines but offer the chance to downsize to obtain the same
power. This type of system is also likely to drive the need
for more efficient turbochargers.
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