How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

Hybrid vehicles are increasingly popular among drivers in Lawrenceville and everywhere else, offering an attractive combination of fuel efficiency and high performance. So what is a hybrid car and how does it work? How do hybrid models differ from all-electric vehicles? Learn how hybrid cars work with the team at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth today! One of our hybrid vehicles could perfectly align with your lifestyle. Contact us whenever you want to take a test drive in Duluth! 

How Do Hybrid Cars Work? Parallel Hybrid vs. Series Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid vehicles 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 Suwanee, 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.

Discover Hybrid Power with Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth 

Now that you know how hybrid cars work, contact us online or call (678) 288-4666 to schedule a test drive. We are here to help our customers in Johns Creek and beyond learn more about hybrids! For more helpful reads, review our buying vs. leasing guide and learn whether you can lease a vehicle with bad credit!