We get that not everyone is ready to take the all-electric plunge, but you may be interested in what all the fuss is about with electrified vehicles. If that describes you, a hybrid may be a good option for your next car. Though hybrids still carry along an internal-combustion engine, and thus avoid the range anxiety associated with EVs, they differ from gas-only cars in some important ways.
Advantages of a Hybrid VehicleA hybrid car’s powertrain combines a conventional, dino-juice-fueled engine with some form of electric assistance. Mild hybrids, which are seeing newfound popularity thanks to companies like Mercedes and Audi, replace the engine’s alternator with a motor-generator that captures would-be waste energy in the form of electricity under braking. It then deploys that electricity to boost the powertrain’s output through the motor-generator, run electric accessories, or both. A full-fledged hybrid has at least one electric motor as part of its powertrain, usually packaged within the transmission or between it and the engine. These electric motors are much more stout than those offering assist in a mild hybrid, meaning they can harvest more energy through regenerative braking and also add more power to the gas engine they’re packaged with. As a result, the hybrid assistance is more noticeable, and you may feel the powertrain switch between gas-only, electric-only, and hybrid operation.Then there’s the category of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), or simply plug-in hybrids, which, as their name suggests, can be plugged in to recharge the onboard battery. This battery has more capacity than a standard hybrid’s, allowing a PHEV to travel a non-trivial distance on electric power alone.Greg Pajo|Car and Driver2024 Toyota Prius.While hybrid may be synonymous with Prius, and Prius with appliance, today’s gas-electric vehicles come in a wide array of shapes and sizes. Even the Prius has grown up and blossomed into an attractive vehicle with decent power that is actually fun to drive. In a similar vein, not all hybrid systems are designed to prioritize efficiency. There are now Ferraris and Lamborghinis with hybrid systems along for the ride to increase power output and smooth any dips in torque that are inherent to the internal-combustion side of the powertrain.All of this is to say that hybrids capture and use energy that would otherwise be wasted. Depending on how the manufacturer designs and tunes them and what mode they’re in, hybrids can apply that power to save fuel or to add power. The result is generally the same: a vehicle that uses less fuel than a gas-only car with similar power.Considerations When Deciding on a VehicleAdvantages of a Gas-Fueled CarNonhybrid, gas-engined cars do without the additional high-voltage battery a hybrid carries. They are therefore simpler in design and relatively easier to maintain and repair while also costing less than a comparable hybrid. You can see this directly with models that offer both options, such as the Honda CR-V, the Kia Sportage, and the BMW 3-series.Because they don’t have electric motors, big batteries, or the power-management equipment that accompanies them, nonhybrid cars are lighter. They offer a more traditional driving experience as well, with no switching between modes to interrupt things, and conventional multi-speed transmissions are more prevalent in gas cars than continuously variable automatics, which can be off-putting to some drivers.Deciding between Hybrid and GasChoosing between a hybrid and a gas-only vehicle has more to do with what cars you’re considering than it does your powertrain preferences. In some cases, that decision will be made for you, as certain models are available solely as a hybrid, and mild-hybrid systems continue to show up on more new models to help cars meet ever-stricter emissions goals. If you want fuel efficiency, a hybrid is for you. If you’re after power, you may still end up with a hybrid—just look at the BMW XM, the M division’s most powerful model to date. Those who are EV-curious but not quite ready to make that switch can find a happy medium with a PHEV.So the next time you’re shopping for a new car, keep an open mind. Don’t be turned off by a vehicle due to its hybridness. It might just surprise you.
Source: caranddriver.com