WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HYBRID CARS?
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HYBRID CARS?
With people making the switch to more eco-friendly vehicles, choosing hybrid cars and vans is a great way to help reduce your CO2 output. But with a huge range available, it can be confusing which type of hybrid is right for you.
To help you choose, we’ve created this handy guide on all types of hybrids to support you in picking a vehicle that’s right for you.
WHAT IS A HYBRID CAR?
A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses more than one type of fuel, typically combining a combustion engine powered by petrol or diesel with an electric motor that uses an electric battery. Hybrids have the advantage of using less fuel than petrol and diesel vehicles and produce lower levels of CO2, thanks to the combination of electric battery and combustion engine power.
As one of the leading manufacturers in Europe, Peugeot is committed to making the switch and offer all-electric or hybrid versions of most of their vehicles.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HYBRID CARS?
There are several different types of hybrids: plug-in hybrids, self-charging hybrids and mild hybrid cars. Each type has a different operation, however, there is some crossover between the different options.
PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (PHEV)
A plug in hybrid car, known as a PHEV, uses a combustion engine and an electric motor with a high-voltage lithium-ion battery that's charged by plugging it into an electric outlet in the same way you would a full electric vehicle.
Hybrid electric cars also offer added power through regenerative braking. This is done by converting kinetic energy from braking into electricity.
PHEVs (Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) can be charged through a specific wall box charger or using the public charging network. Wall boxes offer optimised rapid charging for the most efficient charge. You can charge via an accessory cable using a standard 3-pin domestic socket, but PEUGEOT do not recommend this as an everyday charging solution.
Peugeot’s PHEVs use the electric battery at the beginning of your journey by default before switching to the combustion engine, although you can amend how the engine manages power as you drive via the drive mode selector. The electric charge can give you up to 39 miles (WLTP) of all electric driving using the electric motor.
Peugeot’s electrified hybrid cars utilise plug-in hybrid technology giving drivers the benefit of an electric charge for short journeys and a combustion engine for longer trips removing range anxiety caused by fears of batteries running out.
MILD HYBRID VEHICLE
A mild hybrid, also known as a self-charging hybrid, uses a combustion engine with petrol or diesel and an electric motor. Rather than being charged like a plug-in hybrid, they only use kinetic energy from regenerative braking to charge the battery.
Driving primarily uses the combustion engine but the electric motor is used as support when accelerating, helping to save fuel and reduce CO2 when compared to a conventional combustion engine. A mild hybrid always uses both the combustion engine and electric motor.
Mild hybrids use both fuel types, helping you reduce CO2 without any manual input or plug-in charging. Rather than relying solely on the electric motor to power the vehicle, a mild hybrid has more of an electric power boost effect.
PEUGEOT do not currently have any mild hybrid vehicles available, but you can view our full selection of plug-in hybrid vehicles here.
FULL HYBRID VEHICLE
A full hybrid car, also known as a parallel hybrid, has both a combustion engine and electric motor, automatically switching between the two to power the vehicle. Primarily, full hybrids will use only the combustion engine for most driving, but electric power is used when slowing down and stopping to help conserve fuel.
Like the mild hybrid, a full hybrid is a self-charging hybrid car so there’s no plug-in charging needed. You simply fill up your car and drive, letting the vehicle do the hard work for you. Batteries are topped up by regenerative braking and the vehicle decides how and when to use the different fuel types.
A full hybrid will help to reduce the petrol or diesel you use when driving as well as lower your CO2 emissions.
If you would like any further information about our Hybrid or Electric range then please do not hesitate to contact us.
We can be reached on either 01380 731970 or via email at info@fussellwadman.co.uk.