How Many Types of Hybrid Cars Are There?

We have nine dealerships across several cities, including near Bloomington and Champaign. We offer a wide range of new vehicles and pre-owned models for you to choose from. More and more car owners love hybrid vehicles because gas prices in Peoria aren’t going down anytime soon. Hybrid vehicles can save you refueling costs with their battery motors and gasoline-powered engines.

Did you know there are three types of hybrid vehicles? Our guide from Sam Leman Automotive Group will talk about what makes a vehicle a hybrid and what hybrids are.

What Are Hybrids & What Types of Hybrid Cars Are Available?

What makes a vehicle a hybrid is that it uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to move you forward on your favorite roads. Because of this combination, hybrid vehicles can lower your refueling costs.

However, the way that the electric motors and internal combustion engines work varies depending on the specific hybrid you choose. So, next, we’ll look at what hybrids are based on how they work.

Full Hybrid Vehicles

When you think about what makes a vehicle a hybrid, you probably think of a traditional, full hybrid. Full hybrid vehicles can often run on the internal combustion engine alone, the electric motors alone, or a combination of both. There’s no way to plug in to charge a full hybrid vehicle. Electric motors often assist the internal combustion engine as you go on a drive. When the internal combustion engine runs, it recharges the hybrid battery. The most popular full hybrid vehicle you’ve probably heard of is the Toyota Prius.

Mild Hybrid Vehicles

Mild hybrid vehicles are becoming more and more common. Their driving experience is not much different from a standard vehicle. Mild hybrid vehicles have an electric motor and internal combustion engine that work together to provide more power and a slight improvement in gas mileage.

The difference between mild hybrid vehicles and full hybrid vehicles is that mild hybrid vehicles cannot run solely on either internal combustion or electric motors. One mild-hybrid vehicle you’ve probably heard of includes the RAM 1500.

Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

Finally, there plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) that are becoming increasingly popular. Plug-in hybrid vehicles are similar to a full hybrid except they offer a larger battery than a traditional full hybrid. Because of the larger battery, you can plug in this type of hybrid in your garage. It can provide you with the ability to drive longer distances on pure electric power. These are perfect for commutes, especially if they are less than 10 miles one way.

Plug-in hybrids are a great bridge between a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a fully electric vehicle. They offer the possibility of driving on full-electric power without the worry of finding a charging station as it still has an internal combustion engine as a backup. Several plug-in hybrid models can range from a Jeep Wrangler 4xe to a BMW X5 xDrive45e.

Test-Drive a Hybrid Vehicle for Sale at Sam Leman Automotive Group

Ready to get behind the wheel of a hybrid vehicle? Contact us or call to schedule a test drive with our team. We think you’ll love our selection!