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car styles explained: hybrid
Discover all you need to know about these futuristic vehicles.
Hybrid cars: these futuristic vehicles are already here, and they’re not going anywhere. Just don’t get them mixed up with electric cars! With electric motors paired up with a petrol or diesel engine, hybrid cars are one of a kind. But are they the right car for you? Find out below.
Overview
- done Environmentally friendly - These are designed to feature green fuel and produce around 90% fewer emissions than traditional cars with diesel or petrol engines
- done Low maintenance costs - Hybrid technology generally means less maintenance as the diesel/petrol part of the engine can shut off when going slow or when you stop. In turn, this reduces the wear of the engine
- done Regenerative braking - Hybrid cars have a state-of-the-art, unique braking system. This helps with power and captures the braking energy to use as power
- done Durable - On average, hybrid batteries can last for 10 to 15 years or up to 200,000 miles. When you need to change, the cost of a new or second-hand battery is pretty cheap
- clear Higher purchasing cost - Compared to diesel and petrol cars, hybrid cars are indeed pricier. But the higher purchasing costs are often levelled out with the lower running costs
- clear Less powerful - Their smaller, more economical engines sacrifice power for fuel economy. Many lack sport-tuned suspensions that traditional cars offer
- clear Expensive insurance policies - Due to a high cost of purchase, insurance policies are higher than other types of cars. Also, parts for these cars are more expensive than average which drives up costs when they need to be replaced
July 9th 2021
So, comparing the pros and the cons of hybrid cars, you may be thinking if they are right for you. Let’s find out what sets these cars apart from traditional vehicles so you can make your mind up.
What is a hybrid car?
Over the last few years, you have probably heard more and more about hybrid cars. You’ll have seen adverts stating that the future is hybrid. But, what actually is a hybrid car?
Well, a hybrid is technically any kind of vehicle that uses two power sources: an electric motor and a petrol or diesel combustion engine.
Hybrids are not something new. They were first popularised in the late 1990s with models such as the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius.
Once a mere curiosity for “eco-warriors”, hybrids have transformed into innovative and popular vehicles in the motor industry. Just about every manufacturer has been, or is currently, working on a form of hybrid vehicle. Some brands, such as Toyota, go one step further and offer hybrid versions with just about every car they sell.
Hybrids come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. With so many to choose from, there will certainly be one waiting for you here at findandfundmycar.com.
Differences between hybrid cars and electric cars
That’s right, hybrid cars and electric cars are not the same. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Here is the main difference between the two:
Electric cars rely fully on electric power that is charged through a battery. Hybrid cars rely on a combination of electrical power and fuel from their tanks.
Petrol or diesel is never used in an electric vehicle. Popular examples of electric cars include the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, and the Tesla Model S. These days, the choice of electric cars continues to grow rapidly.
Unlike hybrid cars, there is no pollution from an electric model. Also, you can only drive an electric car on an automatic driving licence while manual or automatic licenses are acceptable for hybrid drivers.
While hybrid cars use electricity stored in their batteries like electric vehicles, they charge the battery through their engine. This differs from an electric motor that has to be plugged into a ChargePoint. This can take up to seven hours to completely charge.
Sometimes, hybrid vehicles only have a petrol or diesel engine to charge the battery. Apart from that, this section of the engine is not used. In other types of hybrid vehicles, the petrol or diesel engine is used to drive the wheels directly while an additional battery and motor combination adds a little electric drive.
How much does is it to charge a hybrid car?
When it comes to charging your hybrid, you can save a lot of money. While you still need to fill up the tank with petrol or diesel now and again, it will be far less often than with a traditional engine.
Unlike pure electric cars, a hybrid motor can’t be plugged in to charge the battery. Instead, the battery can be charged through the use of regenerative braking as well as the internal combustion engine. In other words, every time you brake or coast down the road, a generator is producing electricity for it to be stored in the battery later on.
This means you can charge your hybrid car as you’re moving. You don’t have to wait several hours for it to charge at a ChargePoint. So, a hybrid car is technically free to charge.
Take the Toyota Hybrid, for instance. When its battery runs low, excess power from the engine charges it back up again.
No cables. No plugs. No inconvenience.
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