What is a Flywheel Hybrid?
A flywheel hybrid (sometimes cleverly and affectionately called a flybrid) is a type of hybrid vehicle that uses a mechanical flywheel storage device instead of an electric battery to accumulate and then release—when needed for acceleration—regenerative braking energy. How does a flywheel store energy? Physics defines it as a simple mathematical equation: MV2 where M = the physical mass of the flywheel and V = the velocity of the spinning mass. In plain English, that means it is a heavy, high-speed rotating disc that builds up kinetic energy (the force that causes movement) as it spins, and further, it stores exponentially more energy the heavier it is and the faster it rotates. Think of the discus thrower in the Olympics. He winds-up, building an increasing store of force and energy as he spins, and then releases the disc and sends it flying through the air. How does flywheel storage work in a vehi
