Hybrid cars are becoming an increasingly popular choice among consumers, as they offer a good balance of power and fuel efficiency. In a recent article, the benefits of hybrid cars were highlighted, including improved fuel economy, reduced emissions, and a longer range compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
The article also discussed the different types of hybrid cars available, including mild hybrids, full hybrids, and plug-in hybrids.
Table of contents
What is the history of Hybrid cars?
The concept of hybrid cars is actually something that is not new. In fact, Hybrid cars have been around since the very late 1800's with the first prototype, and produced, hybrid car being the System Lohner-Porsche Mixte hybrid car - built and manufactured by Lohner-Porsche Elektromobil.
During this time, they had to compete with Ford's new Model T. The Model T, due to Ford's use of the assembly line for one, could be produced for a much lower price. Given that as electric batteries were new, it also meant they didn't have enough power to compete with the pure petrol engines of the time - so fell out of popularity. It then wasn't until the early 2000's that they began to gain widespread attention. By then, the technology matured to drastically enhance the traditional petrol and diesel engines range, with much more capable battery units being able to be produced compared to the late 1800 and early 1900 centuries.
Many people today think of Tesla when it comes to the start of the EV revolution. However, Toyota was one of the first car manufacturers to release a mass-produced hybrid vehicle; the Toyota Prius, in 1997. Since then, many other car manufacturers have followed suit and released their own hybrid models on the market, especially as the technology has continued to mature and improve.
In recent years, hybrid cars have gained massively in popularity as a solution to the problem of rising petrol prices, along with environmental concerns, with 19.6% of all new car sales across Europe in 2021 being hybrid cars.
What is a hybrid car?
A hybrid car is a vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine - which is also known as an ICE engine - combined with an electric motor and a battery pack.
This combination of dual fuel technologies in one vehicle allows for a much improved mileage along with reduced emissions. This increased range along with reducing CO2 emissions, make hybrid cars an appealing choice for environmentally-conscious drivers, along with commuters who do a lot of mileage.
You can see how Suzuki's hybrid engines work here:
What are the different types of Hybrid engines?
There are around 4 main types of hybrid engines. These consist of:
Mild hybrid engines
A Mild hybrid engine is a type of hybrid vehicle that uses a smaller electric motor and battery pack than a full hybrid. Mild hybrids - also known as micro hybrids or hybrid assist vehicles - don't tend to be able to be charged up at EV charging stations.
In a mild hybrid, the electric motor is used only to assist the ICE engine during acceleration as well as providing additional power to the drivetrain. The electric motor is typically small and is not powerful enough to move the vehicle on its own. Instead, this type of engine is used more to provide a boost of power when required - which helps to improve the overall fuel efficiency and reduce emissions as less traditional fuel is required due to the boost from the electric motor.
Parallel hybrid engines
A parallel hybrid uses both an electric motor combined with an internal combustion engine to power the vehicle. The electric motor is then used to assist the engine during acceleration and to take over during low-speed driving.
Series hybrid engines
A series hybrid uses an electric motor to power the vehicle, while the ICE engine is used to recharge the battery pack. The engine does not directly power the wheels of the car at all; but rather serves as a generator to recharge the battery during times such as braking.
Plug-in hybrid
A plug-in hybrid is similar to a parallel hybrid; however, it has a much larger battery pack that can also be recharged by plugging the car into an external charging source - be it a home charger or an EV charging station. This allows the car to run on electric power alone for a certain distance before the traditional ICE engine needs to kick in to provide the additional power.
Plug-in hybrids typically offer better fuel economy and reduced emissions than traditional parallel hybrids.
What are some of the advantages of Hybrid cars?
Hybrid cars bring many, many, advantages. These consist of:
Improved fuel economy
One of the biggest advantages of hybrid cars is their improved fuel economy. When you combine an ICE and electric motor, what you get is a car that is able to run on both petrol - or Diesel - as well as electricity. The electric motor is then only used during low-speed driving, while the ICE motor takes over during high-speed driving or when extra power is needed.
This means that hybrid cars can achieve significantly better mileage than traditional petrol and diesel only vehicles. In fact, some hybrids can achieve up to 50 miles and upwards more per gallon than their ICE counterparts.
Quieter and smoother ride
Hybrid cars also offer a quieter - as well as smoother - driving experience over traditional petrol or diesel only vehicles.
This is because of the fact that the electric motor provides a smoother acceleration and deceleration, and the reduced use of the ICE means that there is less overall engine noise being emitted. This can make for a more enjoyable driving experience for you, the driver and your passengers.
Reduced Emissions
Another advantage of hybrid cars is their reduced emissions. Due to the fact that the electric motor is only used during low-speed driving, the car is able to emit far fewer environmental pollutants than a traditional petrol or diesel-only vehicle would. This can then help to heavily improve air quality - especially in urban areas - and reduce the overall carbon footprint of the vehicle.
Can hybrid cars be charged at home?
This depends on the type of hybrid car you buy. Some hybrid cars - such as the Plug-in Hybrids - can be charged at home using an external charging box. However, not all hybrid cars - such as Mild hybrids - have this capability and it is important to check with the manufacturer for specific information on charging the vehicle; along with the sales representative at the time of purchase.
Can you charge a hybrid at EV charging stations?
The simple answer is yes, most hybrids can be charged at an EV charging station.
However, it does depend on the type of hybrid and the charging station being used. For instance there are multiple types of hybrid engines available from mild hybrid engines to full plug-in hybrids. Only the Plug-in hybrids would tend to be able to be charged, if the charging station is compatible or unlocked for your vehicle.
For instance, at the time of writing, a lot of Tesla SuperChargers are locked to only charge Tesla cars. Although, this may change in the future as Tesla is considering opening up its SuperCharger network to other brands. Tesla have just opened up this functionality in the US as part of their trial scheme.
Another thing that could stop your ability to use an EV charger is if your hybrid only allows Level 1 charging - as EV charging stations tend to only allow DC and Level 2 charging. However, the vast, vast majority of Plug-in hybrids shouldn't need to worry about this, as all new Hybrids, and most old Hybrids will allow Level 2 charging out of the box.
Lastly, you may need to supply an adapter depending on your charging cable. If your charging cable isn't compatible with the EV station's charging port it may require an adapter to use your charger with that station.
What type of charging cable should you use with your hybrid?
The type of charging cable that a hybrid car can use depends on the type of charging station you are going to be using, as well as what the specific vehicle has been designed to use. Here are the most common types of charging cables for hybrid cars:
Level 1 charging
With Level 1 charging cables, the car can use a standard household power socket and a cable that plugs into the vehicle's charging port. The cable is typically included with the vehicle and is designed for use with a 1,200 Watt socket.
Level 2 charging
A Level 2 charging cable requires a dedicated charging station that is typically installed at your home or at a public charging location. These charging stations tend to come with a cable that plugs into the vehicle's charging port, and the cable is designed for use with a 2,400 Watt power outlet. Level 2 charging cables are typically thicker and heavier than Level 1 cables.
DC fast charging
When it comes to DC fast charging, this is currently the fastest high-speed charging method that is typically used for electric vehicles with larger battery packs. Some plug-in hybrid models may also be equipped with DC fast charging capability. These charging stations come with a cable that plugs directly into your car's charging port and is designed for use with a DC power source.
How long does it take hybrid engines to charge?
We have put together this handy table of the different charging times of hybrid engines, to help you understand which one may be better for your requirements.
| Hybrid engine type |
Expected charging time |
| Mild hybrid engine |
Does not need to be charged |
| Parallel hybrid engine |
Does not typically need to be charged |
| Series hybrid engine |
Does not typically need to be charged |
| Plug-in hybrid |
Using a Level 1 charger can take 8 hours to 12 hours and using a Level 2 charger can take 30 mins - 45 mins to go from 0 - 80%, and up to 4 hours for a full charge |
How long do hybrid car batteries last?
Hybrid car batteries are always improving, and the batteries today have long lifetimes. Many of which come with long-time guarantees built in when you purchase the car. They can last anywhere from 8 to 10 years - depending on the make and model of the vehicle. However, battery life can vary depending on how the vehicle is driven and how well the battery is maintained.
Do hybrid cars require special maintenance?
When compared to only traditional fuel cars, hybrid cars may require some additional maintenance; such as checking and maintaining the battery pack and ensuring that the electric motor and ICE are functioning properly. Along with choosing garages that have the specialised tools designed to service hybrid cars over traditional cars. However, roughly speaking, they generally require similar maintenance to traditional petrol or diesel only vehicles on the whole.
Can hybrid cars be serviced at any traditional garage?
Yes, Hybrid cars can tend to be serviced at any garage; however, the garage may need to have specialised knowledge and equipment for the servicing. So it is important to find a qualified technician who is trained to work on hybrid vehicles.
Are hybrid cars good for long distance driving?
Yes, in fact this is one of their key benefits. Hybrid cars can be good for long-distance driving, as they offer a hugely improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
That said, the longer the drive the higher the chance the electric battery will be drained. Meaning your performance over traditional ICE vehicles may decline the further you go without a recharge. Nevertheless, most hybrid cars tend to offer a much greater mileage / gallon than traditional ICE vehicles. The range of most hybrid cars is also several hundred miles on a full charge, and a full tank of fuel.
Are hybrid cars as safe as traditional fuel only vehicles?
Yes, hybrid cars are generally as safe as traditional petrol or diesel only vehicles. They undergo the same safety testing and are subject to the same safety standards as traditional vehicles.
What happens if the battery runs out of charge while driving a hybrid car?
If the battery runs out of charge while you are driving your hybrid car, the vehicle will automatically switch to the ICE engine to provide power. The driver may notice a decrease in fuel economy and performance until the battery is charged again; but, don't worry the car won't just cut out.
Yes, many hybrid cars have good acceleration and performance, thanks to the combination of the electric motor and ICE. However, this can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle you decide to buy; along with the age of the car and how well it is serviced and looked after.
To give you some idea on the performance we have put together the table below to highlight how powerful these engines can be.
Can hybrid cars be driven in extreme weather conditions?
Yes, hybrid cars can be driven in extreme weather conditions. However, as with any EV - be it fully electric or hybrid - the battery pack can drain a little faster in extreme cold conditions, and the electric motor may be affected by extreme temperatures. It is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for driving in extreme weather conditions.
Hybrid cars overall
In conclusion, hybrid cars offer a unique combination of technologies that can provide improved fuel economy, reduced emissions, and a smoother, quieter ride. While there may be concerns about the cost and reliability of these vehicles, the benefits they offer make them an appealing choice for environmentally-conscious drivers. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that hybrid cars will only become more efficient and reliable, making them an even better choice for the future.