Plug-in hybrids allow you to burn even less gas by running exclusively as electric cars for a short distance. The gas and electric powertrains can be combined in a few different ways-some more efficient than others. The downside of a hybrid is that because of the the dual drivetrains it makes the car more expensive, and the battery packs take up space and add weight.

By combining the two systems, the battery pack can be much smaller than in a pure electric vehicle. For the time being, hybrids offer the best of both gasoline and electric cars.īy using electric motors to augment an internal combustion engine’s power, automakers can use smaller, more-efficient gasoline engines and rely on electric power at low speeds. But there are still a limited number of models, and while plug-in hybrids are not range limited, battery-only models have a range from 70-250 miles. Recent progress in battery development has brought some new electric cars to market. But batteries with enough energy to drive long distances on electricity alone are bulky, heavy, and more expensive. Hybrids emerged as a bridge between the benefits and limitations of both electric and gasoline powertrains.Įlectric motors are very efficient at accelerating, and unlike their internal-combustion counterparts, produce their maximum power from a dead stop. The electric motor draws its power from a large battery pack that is recharged by the gas engine and by energy recouped from the brakes.

What sets full hybrids apart from regular cars is that they use two powertrains: an electric motor and a gasoline engine. Most people consider “hybrids” to mean full hybrids like the Toyota Prius, but there are several levels of hybridization and many gas-powered vehicles are adding some level of electrification or hybridization.

Hybrid cars consumer reports