Hybrid vehicles are gaining popularity over the last few years as there has been significant advancements in the technology. If you’re considering a hybrid model for your Des Moines drives for the very first time, you may be curious about how hybrid cars work. What is a hybrid car and how does it work? Simply put, it is a vehicle that is fueled by both gasoline and electric power to maximize efficiency. Whether you’re just not ready to make a commitment to a full-electric vehicle or you want to enjoy some electric advantages, a hybrid model is a good middle ground! Find out more below before discovering pre-owned hybrid vehicles for sale at Acura of Johnston, including Acura MDX Hybrid and RLX Hybrid.
Parallel Hybrid vs. Series Hybrid Vehicles
As we have mentioned, a hybrid vehicle actually has two power sources: a traditional internal combustion engine and an electric battery. These two work in concert to minimize fuel consumption. Among hybrid systems, there are various configurations, including parallel and series type. See how these common configurations compare below:
Parallel Hybrid
Most hybrids for sale nowadays 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 cars, 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?
How hybrid cars work also depend if you have a regular hybrid or a plug-in electric vehicle in Cedar Rapids. While hybrid models run on the combined power of a gasoline engine and electric battery, plug-in EVs also use both type of fuels but uses the electric power first before gasoline. More details on a plug-in EV are listed below:
- With their increased battery packs, plug-in hybrids can go further on electric power alone.
- For short distances around Waterloo, you can use a plug-in hybrid much like you’d drive an EV. In other words, you can rely on 100% electric power all day and recharge 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. This gives you more flexibility and also allows you to enjoy the electric performance without having to deal with range anxiety.
- As they don’t rely solely on electricity, hybrid plug-in vehicles take between 1 and 4 hours to fully charge.
Learn More About Hybrid Power from Acura of Johnston
Now that you know what a hybrid car is and how it works, feel free to reach out for more information if you’re still interested! While the current Acura lineup doesn’t have a hybrid SUV model, you can find hybrid power from its supercar, the Acura NSX Type S Sport Hybrid SH-AWD®. Is a supercar more of your speed? Talk to our team in Johnston about it!
