What is a Hybrid Car & How Does it Work?

Hybrid and electric auto technology has advanced quickly in just a few years, making hybrid vehicles a realistic and affordable option for many drivers in Hermitage. If you’re considering the switch to a new hybrid or EV and are wondering, “What is a hybrid car, and how does it work?” keep reading! Learn more in this helpful guide from Shenango Honda, and when you’re ready to get behind the wheel of a new hybrid, contact us, and we’ll take you for a test drive!

How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

So, exactly how do hybrid cars work? A hybrid car includes two power sources: a typical combustion engine and an electric battery. The two power sources work together in a hybrid to minimize fuel consumption. Here’s how hybrid cars work in the two most common configurations:

Parallel Hybrid

Most hybrid vehicles around Sharon are parallel hybrids. In this type of hybrid, the electric motor and gasoline engine are joined to the transmission, regardless of the style. 

Series Hybrid

A series hybrid also uses an electric motor in conjunction with a gasoline engine, but only the electric motor is connected to the transmission, not the gasoline engine. The electric motor is the sole source of power, while the gas engine acts as a sort of generator for the electric motor.

What’s the Difference Between Hybrid & Plug-In Electric Vehicles?

Now that you know how hybrid cars work, do you know how they differ from plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs)? Hybrid vehicles are powered by the combined power of a gas engine and electric battery, while EVs use solely electric power. Some brands now offer plug-in hybrids, which is a combination of the two:

• Plug-in hybrids can go further on electric power alone because of the power of their heavy-duty electric batteries. 
• For short drives around Hubbard, you can use a plug-in hybrid like you’d drive an EV and use only electric power and recharge the battery at night when you plug it in.
• If you’re headed out for a more extended trip beyond Mercer, you can fill up on gas at any service station like any regular vehicle.
• Because PHEVs don’t solely depend on electricity, they only take one to four hours to fully charge.

Experience Hybrid Power with Shenango Honda Today

Now that we’ve answered the question, “How do hybrid cars work?” we invite you to Shenango Honda to see how it feels to drive a hybrid or EV. Feel free to chat with our finance team about your financing options and complete a credit application online before your visit. We’re here for you!