What is a hybrid car?

Monday 22nd November 2021

A hybrid car essentially combines a petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor - by doing so the car reduces CO2 emissions. With the government bidding to become net-zero by 2050, hybrid vehicles have become more popular over the recent years. There are many different types of hybrid cars, some are plug-ins whilst others are known as full hybrids. A hybrid car can be the perfect solution for those who aren’t entirely familiar with how electric vehicles work, but want to reduce their environmental impact – hybrid cars are also quite cost-efficient, as they are less reliant on fuel. 

How do hybrid cars work?

Hybrid vehicles are powered by both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. With most hybrids, the battery is charged by regenerative braking and by the engine. Because of the electrical features of a hybrid, the combustion engine can afford to be smaller overall leading to a reduction in emissions. 

Types of hybrid vehicles

What is a full hybrid car

A full hybrid (HEV) is also referred to as a ‘parallel hybrid’, uses both the electric motor and fuel engine – some full hybrids have smart technology that switches between electric motor and the internal combustion engine. Meaning that the car can be driven in electric-only mode, whereas others are recharged by braking and the engine, when the car is slowing down or stationary then the engine will shut off and the car run only on electricity.

What is a plug in hybrid?

Plug-in hybrids are cars that you can charge at an electrical charging point - they rely mostly on the electric motor for power and only switch to the fuel engine when it has no charge left. Plug-ins also have larger batteries than normal hybrids, therefore they can drive longer distances on electric power alone.

What is a mild hybrid?

A mild hybrid car is also known as a micro-hybrid - they tend to have smaller batteries and therefore cannot rely on battery power alone. Similar to most hybrids, a mild hybrid relies less on its fuel engine and produces lower emissions. However, in comparison to regular hybrids, mild hybrids offer less electrical assistance, therefore are not as cost-efficient as their counterparts. 

Many people are now switching to hybrid vehicles to limit their carbon front print, and also to reduce costs on fuel consumption. If your hybrid car is in need of servicing, then you can book an appointment online at a centre near you, or for more information for any motoring queries – do not hesitate to get in touch with our helpful team.