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With the rise of electric-powered alternatives to old gas cars such as the hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric, and the increased incentives to switch towards these greener solutions, many have speculated which car type to choose from the available options in today’s market.
In this article, we’re going to focus on explaining what a hybrid car is and explain its variants while doing a matchup of plug-in hybrid vs hybrid cars. We’re going to help you decide whether you should buy a mild, full or plug-in hybrid as your daily driver and answer some common questions about the topic. Let’s dive in.
What a hybrid electric car (HEV) does is represent the perfect combination of electric power and a petrol or diesel engine. These vehicles have the ability to switch between an electric motor and petrol or diesel engines, depending on what is most efficient for the current driving conditions. As a result, hybrid cars offer greater fuel efficiency than traditional petrol or diesel cars while also reducing emissions.
Hybrid cars are an ideal choice for eco-conscious drivers who want to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing convenience. A hybrid vehicle saves money at the pump and contributes towards a greener future by combining the best of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric car. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about running out of charge like in electric cars.
Full Hybrid
A full hybrid car has both an internal combustion engine, a motor and an electric battery. Therefore, it works like an electric vehicle in electric mode, relying on power from the battery and electric motor to move.
The electric system is best for driving through narrow roads and cities because the vehicle won’t go as fast as when it’s running on petrol or diesel. You will still need the diesel or petrol engine when you’re driving on the highway, but it’s extremely helpful to use it as a pure electric vehicle during rush hour.
Full hybrids are self-charging hybrids because their batteries recharge using the functions of the internal combustion engine and its gas.
Mild Hybrid
Mild hybrids use an electric machine connected to the traditional combustion engine that helps it work in a more efficient way. An engine in a mild hybrid car turns off when you brake, coast or stop driving. The electric machine helps fuel economy and improves acceleration in mild hybrids. Far from pure electric vehicles, a mild hybrid is an improvement of a conventional car that makes it a good choice if you want a regular gas car with far better gas mileage.
You can learn more about what a hybrid car is and how it works on our site.
A Plug-In Hybrid Car
A plug-in hybrid electric car (PHEV) allows you to directly charge the battery by using a charger that you simply ‘plug in’. Plug-in hybrid cars are far closer to a pure electric car as they allow for the use of the electric motor and battery without the need to recharge it with a petrol or diesel engine.
A plug-in hybrid vehicle uses the battery as its primary power source, but it works together with the ICE. The combustion engine can take over when the battery is empty. The battery in plug-in hybrid vehicles still has some elements of a self-charging hybrid, using regenerative braking to charge the battery, but it won’t be enough to recharge the battery fully.
Tip: You can use traditional phone charging cables to charge a plug-in hybrid, but it charges way faster when you use a charger meant for the vehicle.
See here if you want to know more about plug-in hybrid cars.
Hybrid Vs Plug-In Hybrid: Which Is Better?
Here’s how a traditional hybrid car compares to a plug-in hybrid:
Hybrid
Even though it is an electrified car, a hybrid vehicle can still run on petrol or diesel.
Pros
Using a hybrid car holds the following advantages over a plug-in hybrid:
- You don’t need to charge hybrid cars as plug-in hybrids and electric cars. They rely on a process called regenerative braking to recharge. Regenerative braking captures energy from the rotating tyres and uses it to charge your car battery.
- You can use a traditional hybrid as a fully electric car when driving through the city or other areas where you need to drive slowly.
- A hybrid car can help lower your fuel consumption and overall vehicle running cost.
Cons
It’s not all good news with hybrid cars. They also have a few disadvantages when compared to plug-in hybrids.
- You still have to rely on petrol to a large extent when using hybrid cars.
- Regular hybrids produce more emissions than plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Plug-In Hybrid
A plug-in hybrid functions similarly to a fully electric car. Therefore, you need to connect it to a charging station or an external power source to charge.
Pros
Here are the major benefits of using a plug-in hybrid car over a traditional hybrid car:
- Company car tax charges are lower when you buy a plug-in hybrid for your company car drivers.
- Plug-in hybrids can offer substantial savings with mindful charging. By taking advantage of off-peak times or utilising a charging station, you may be able to reduce your fuel costs considerably.
- When you run out of electric power in the battery, you can run your PHEV on diesel or petrol.
- PHEVs can help minimise your tail-pipe emissions since they can run entirely on electric power, just like fully electric vehicles.
Cons
The cons of using a plug-in hybrid vehicle over a regular hybrid car include the following:
- PHEVs are much more expensive to purchase.
- If you live in a place where you can’t install a charger and don’t have one nearby, it can be a real problem to charge up the electric power to the point where you can use the electric motor as a standalone.
- Range anxiety is a common occurrence for plug-in hybrids. Despite the heavy battery pack, most plug-in hybrid cars can’t drive more than 50 miles (80 km) by utilising only the electric motor.
Should You Buy A Hybrid Or A Plug-In Hybrid?
Whether you should buy a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, or even an electric car, depends entirely on your need and preference. If you take long journeys often, buying a mild or full hybrid is the best option for you as gas stations are everywhere, and it doesn’t take a lot of time for the car to fill up. Plug-in hybrid and electric cars utilise an electric battery that requires external power.
The plug-in is definitely better for casual daily use. With the larger battery that has a decent electric range of 20-50 miles (32-80 km), you can drive the car around without needing to use the combustion engine, saving on fuel costs.
Tip: If you’re used to your old diesel car and prefer not to watch if your car battery is charged or not, a full or mild hybrid is best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between A Plug-In Hybrid And A Hybrid?
The difference between a plug-in hybrid and a hybrid is that you have to charge the battery of a plug-in hybrid by using an external power source. A regular hybrid doesn’t need its battery charged since its electric motor often isn’t used as a sole motor but as a helper to the combustion engine, helping lower fuel cost and make it more efficient.
Is A Plug-In Hybrid Better Than A Full Hybrid?
Whether a plug-in hybrid is better than a full hybrid ultimately depends on your needs and preferences. Plug-in hybrid cars work in a similar manner to fully electric cars. You can charge them, so they can run solely on electric power for longer than regular hybrids. However, PHEVs are more expensive than traditional hybrids, and the cost of installing a charging station for them can be high.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Plug-In Hybrid Car?
The disadvantage of using a plug-in hybrid car is that you need a charging station or an external power source to charge its electric battery. Similar to fully electric cars, PHEVs are made from various costly components. Therefore, they can be more expensive to purchase than petrol or traditional hybrid cars.
Does A Plug-In Hybrid Recharge While Driving?
A plug-in hybrid does recharge while driving, but not to the point where you can avoid charging the battery with an external power source. Plug-in hybrid cars utilise regenerative braking, but unlike in full hybrid cars, it’s far from enough to charge up the larger battery present in plug-in hybrids.
Why Aren’t Plug-In Hybrids Popular?
Plug-in hybrids aren’t popular because to use them, you are required to charge your vehicle with gasoline and electricity. Gasoline cars or hybrids like the Toyota Prius don’t require you to charge the battery, and electric cars don’t require you to fill them up with gasoline, making them both more convenient in that regard.
Conclusion
When it comes to plug-in hybrid vs hybrid cars, the answer really depends on you. Plug-in ones are better if you often drive short distances since you will rarely have to spend on gas. Traditional hybrids are the ‘go-to’ for longer distances or, generally, if charging is your concern, in addition to not being able or willing to pay more for a plug-in hybrid. If you’re thinking about buying a plug-in, we recommend you set up a way to charge the electric battery at home.
