What is a hybrid vehicle?
The term “hybrid” gets thrown out a lot, but what is a hybrid vehicle? A hybrid uses two or more direct power sources, which often means a hybrid will have an internal-combustion engine, fuel tank, an electric motor or two and a battery pack. Hybrid vehicles are different than electric vehicles. In most hybrid vehicles the electric parts help harness and reuse the energy that is often discarded in vehicles solely equipped with internal-combustion engines. There are different distinctions that classify specific types of hybrids like parallel hybrids, plug-in hybrids, mild hybrids and other terms that mainly describe the degree each power source functions in the vehicle. For example in the parallel hybrid the engine and electric motor power is combined, but the engine dominates and the electric motor provides a boost.
So what makes hybrids so fuel-efficient? These vehicles only use gasoline when it’s needed and are built to self-monitor to switch to the most efficient source of power. For example when the brakes are pressed the vehicle’s wheels engage the electrical generator, which assists in slowing down the car. That extra energy from the generator is converted into electricity to be reused. At the stop light, standard vehicles burn gas when idling but the hybrid doesn’t and on the highway the hybrid switches to the gas-burning engine to maximize fuel economy. With a hybrid, drivers really get the best of both the electric and gas-powered worlds.
Hybrids are an incredible advancement in the auto industry and not only save drivers money, but time at the gas pump. Interested in an electric or hybrid vehicle? Here at Matt Castrucci Nissan we have both the 100 percent electric Nissan Leaf and Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid and our experienced staff can answer any question you may have about the innovative technology in either. Schedule a test drive today!
