How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

Myrtle Beach drivers looking to save money at the pump have gravitated toward hybrid vehicles. How do hybrid cars work? To put it in simple terms, a hybrid car uses both gasoline and an electric battery to improve fuel economy and lower tailpipe emissions. 

There are some more details on how hybrid cars work that we’ll go over; once you’re done reading, we suggest exploring the Subaru Crosstrek, available with a hybrid powertrain. Hadwin-White Subaru is here to make the process of finding your perfect fit easy!

Parallel Hybrid vs. Series Hybrid Vehicles

Whatever style of vehicle you prefer, hybrids are a great choice for improving fuel economy. Just what is a hybrid car, and how does it work under the hood? A hybrid vehicle actually has two power sources: a traditional internal combustion engine, and an electric battery. In hybrid systems, the two work in concert to minimize fuel consumption. Here’s how hybrid cars work in their two most common configurations, parallel and series:

Parallel Hybrid

Most hybrids on the market today are parallel hybrids. In these vehicles, both the electric motor and the gasoline engine are connected to the transmission, whether it’s an automatic, manual, or CVT system. They work by blending both power sources together.

Series Hybrid

Series hybrids also use an electric motor paired with a gasoline engine, 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.

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

We went over how hybrid cars work above, but keep in mind that hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles are two distinct categories. So, how do hybrids and EVs differ? While hybrid vehicles run on the combined power of a gasoline engine and electric battery, EVs use electric power only. However, newer vehicles are beginning to blur the lines between the two. Some brands now offer plug-in hybrids, which combine the benefits of both:

• With their increased battery packs, plug-in hybrids can go further on electric power alone. 
• For short distances around Charleston, 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.

Find Your Subaru Hybrid at Hadwin-White Subaru

We’ve told you what a hybrid car is and how one works. Would you like to discover the rest of the story? Come to our Conway dealership, not too far from Columbia, and see how the Subaru hybrid and electric lineup feels on local roads. Whether you want a Crosstrek hybrid or an all-electric Solterra, we’re ready to help. You can also apply for financing to get a quick pre-approval.