What is a hybrid car?
A hybrid car is a car that's powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE) and one or more battery-powered electric motors. A hybrid car is designed to improve fuel efficiency and decrease environmental impact. There are three main types of hybrid cars, including mild, full, and plug-in models — each differs in how the electric motor and battery are used to power the car and its components.
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How do hybrid cars work?
A hybrid car uses two sources — an ICE and an electric motor — to power the vehicle and its systems. Some hybrid cars use the electric motor for driving at low speeds or when power is not in high demand. As the need for more power increases, these types of hybrids use both the ICE and electric motor, relying more on the ICE as the car gains speed or requires greater acceleration. Other hybrids, such as plug-in hybrids, can run entirely on the electric motor, even at higher speeds.
The combination of the ICE and electric motor improve fuel efficiency and decrease environmental impact thanks to the onboard battery pack and regenerative braking.
The battery pack powers the electric motor, so the vehicle uses the gasoline-powered engine less, which saves gas and produces fewer emissions. Regenerative braking is a braking system that converts the kinetic energy of the car into electrical energy, which is then stored in the battery pack, creating a cycle that uses less fuel and lowers emissions.
What are the different types of hybrid cars?
There are three main types of hybrid cars:
Mild hybrid cars
Mild hybrid cars have an electric system that provides less support to the ICE when compared to other hybrid types. A mild hybrid system may start the car, employ regenerative braking, and offer a brief acceleration assist to the gas-powered engine when the car is fully stopped. It also powers things like the heating and air conditioning, stereo, and other non-driving components. Here are a few common mild hybrid models:
Full hybrid cars
Full hybrid cars use both an ICE and electric motor to power the car. Some full hybrids switch between the ICE and electric motor for propulsion (known as parallel hybrids), while others only use the ICE to charge the battery and power the electric motor (known as series hybrids).
They also use regenerative braking for more efficient energy consumption. Because full hybrids don't need to rely on their ICE as much, they have greater fuel efficiency and lower environmental impact than a mild hybrid. Here are a few common full hybrid models:
Plug-in hybrid vehicles
Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) use an electric motor and battery as their primary energy source. The ICE may run simultaneously or assist when the electric battery is running out of power. Plug-in hybrids have larger batteries than full hybrids, allowing them to drive longer distances using only the electric motor.
As the name implies, a plug-in hybrid car is designed to be plugged in to recharge. This can make driving long distances more complicated if charging stations aren't available on your route. If charging infrastructure is updated in your area, a plug-in hybrid may be a good option if you drive short commutes, want to save on fuel costs, and limit your car's impact on the environment. Here are a few common plug-in hybrid models:
Does a hybrid car use gas?
Yes, just like a conventional car, a hybrid car uses gasoline to power the ICE. For mild and full hybrids, the gasoline-powered engine either directly powers the vehicle or shares duties with an electric motor and its battery. For plug-in hybrids, the combustion engine serves as a backup energy source for the electric motor when the battery runs out.
What are the disadvantages of hybrid cars?
Hybrid vehicle technology has quickly advanced, making the vehicles a reliable and increasingly popular choice for many drivers. But if you drive a hybrid, you may encounter these common hybrid-specific maintenance issues:
- Battery replacement: Getting a hybrid means having a second battery in the car, and it's one that may not (yet) perform as well as its ICE counterpart. It's also more expensive and may need to be replaced more often.
- Catalytic converter replacement: This car component helps convert exhaust gases into less toxic emissions. Catalytic converters are more expensive to replace on hybrids than on ICEs.
- Faulty oxygen sensors: Oxygen sensors don't necessarily fail more often in hybrids versus ICE cars. However, a faulty oxygen sensor in a hybrid can lead to significantly lower fuel efficiency.
How does insurance work with hybrid cars?
Insurance for a hybrid car works the same way as insurance for any other vehicle. Auto insurance covers certain driving-related mishaps that occur on or off the road, as defined by your selected coverages. Auto liability coverage is required in nearly every state and may pay for damage to other vehicles, objects, bodily injuries to others, and expenses related to a lawsuit.
Insurance coverage for a hybrid or electric vehicle may cost more than coverage for a standard gas-powered car because hybrids are typically more expensive to buy, and their more complex equipment may cost more to repair or replace.
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