What is a Hybrid Car and How Does it Work?

Here’s a fun fact for you, the first gas-electric hybrid car wasn’t an invention of the 2000’s or even the 1990’s. It was a product of early 1900s engineering, and the need for a less smelly way to get around, believe it or not. Since then, hybrid technology has taken a major leap forward, and most of that advancement has taken place within the past few years, making it an exciting time to get on board the hybrid/electric bandwagon. Learn more about how hybrid cars work when you read the following guide, and be sure to contact us via our online portal if you have any questions.

Parallel Hybrid vs. Series Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrids are certainly an excellent choice for a number of reasons, especially their superior fuel economy. A hybrid vehicle technically has two power sources, as you may know: a traditional internal combustion engine as well as an electric battery and motor. In hybrid vehicles, these systems work together to provide superior fuel efficiency and often impressive performance as well. Did you know that there are two main types of hybrid vehicle systems, parallel and series? Read more about them below:

Parallel Hybrid

Most of the hybrids on the market today are what are known as parallel hybrids. In the case of these cars, both the electric motor and gas engine are connected to the transmission, be it automatic, manual, or CVT. They function by blending both gas and electric power sources together.

Series Hybrid

In the case of series hybrids, an electric motor is still paired with a gas engine, of course, but only the electric motor is paired with the transmission. In these vehicles, the electric motor is the sole source of power and the gasoline engine acts as a generator for the electric motor. These are less common, but are still an option out there!

How Do Hybrid Cars Work Compared to Plug-In Electric Vehicles?

In the above sections we talked a bit about how hybrid cars work, but keep in mind that hybrid cars and plug-in electric vehicles are two distinctly different types of vehicles. Since there’s an increasing number of plug-in electric vehicles on the road today, we figured it’d be good to cover those as well.

• With their increased battery packs, plug-in hybrids can go further on electric power alone.
• For short distances around Fairfield, you can use a plug-in hybrid much like you’d drive an EV — relying on 100% electric power all day and recharging at night.
• If you’ll be heading out on a longer trip that exceeds the electric driving range, you can fill up on gasoline like you would with a conventional powertrain.
• Because they don’t rely solely on electricity, hybrid plug-in vehicles take between 1 and 4 hours to fully charge.

Discover Hybrid Power with Acura of Milford

Now that you’ve got some hybrid and electric vehicle knowledge under your belt, it’s time to test drive one for yourself to experience the performance and other benefits of a hybrid or electric vehicle. Looking for ways that a hybrid vehicle can benefit you and your Fairfield commute? Reach out to us at %%di_phone_number%% and ask to speak with one of our product specialists with knowledge of hybrid vehicles!