Considering A New Vehicle? 3 Things To Know About Hybrid Vehicles
If you are considering a new vehicle and would like to drive a vehicle that has a positive impact on the climate, you should consider purchasing a hybrid vehicle. If you have never purchased a hybrid vehicle before, you will want to educate yourself on hybrid vehicles so you can better understand this growing vehicle market.
Hybrid Vehicles Have an Internal Combustion Engine & An Electric Motor
A hybrid vehicle is not a fully-electric vehicle, as it has both an internal combustion engine in addition to an electric motor. This system can allow your vehicle to use both the engine and motor to propel your vehicle. Using both the combustion engine and the electric motor to support one another can allow your vehicle to get considerably better gas mileage.
Two Different Types of Hybrid Powertrains
Not all hybrid vehicles are made the same way. There are two different types of hybrid powertrains: a regular hybrid or a plug-in hybrid.
With a regular hybrid, you don't have to charge the vehicle at all. You can get in the vehicle and drive. You will want to learn to use regenerative braking to improve the vehicle's overall efficiency. A regular hybrid powertrain uses the gas engine to charge the battery and keep the electric motor going.
With a plug-in hybrid, you will need to plug in your vehicle to charge it. That may seem like a downside. However, plug-in hybrids come with larger batteries that allow for a larger electric-only range for your vehicle, allowing you to reduce the amount of gas you use daily. However, when the built-in charge is depleted, the battery will not recharge until you plug it in, which can reduce the overall efficiency of the hybrid if you drive long distances.
Offer Excellent Fuel Economy
One of the most significant benefits of switching to a hybrid car is that you will enjoy a better fuel economy. As your vehicle uses both gas and electrical power to get you down the road, you are not using as much gas as a normal vehicle will get you. Essentially, you can get much further on a single tank of gas than you would in a conventional vehicle. This can allow you to save money each week when you head to the gas station to fuel up.
Hybrid vehicles allow you to use less gas and reduce your carbon footprint. You can get a typical hybrid with a hybrid vehicle, which uses the gas-powered engine to recharge the battery or a plug-in hybrid. If you do lots of long driving, a traditional hybrid engine is probably the better setup for you. If you make lots of short trips, a plug-in hybrid could be the right choice for you. As with any vehicle, go on some test drives to get a feel for the vehicle and see if it fits your needs.
