Hybrid vs plug-in hybrid cars
Cars come in all shapes and sizes, and so do the electronic systems that power them. Hybrids, which use a combination of gasoline engines and electric motors to run, are a unique configuration that falls right between gas-only cars and all-electric vehicles. Hybrids can take two key forms—conventional and plug-in. In this article we take a look at the two types of hybrid cars, so you can understand what sets them apart.
What is a conventional hybrid?
The most basic of the hybrid bunch, conventional hybrids (HEVs) house a small battery pack alongside each engine. This battery pack (which is separate to the one that powers the electrics) charges automatically when you drive, via the gas engine, when you accelerate; it can also charge when you decelerate, thanks to regenerative braking, which takes the heat from the motion and converts it to electricity that the battery can store. Since the battery charges by itself, you never have to plug the hybrid into a power source to keep it running.
In a hybrid, the electric motor’s job is to supplement the gas engine to improve performance and conserve fuel. It kicks into gear and overrides the gas engine when the car is stationary, moving slowly or coasting, saving you an incremental amount of petrol. Ultimately, the two engines are used interchangeably - the electric at lower speeds and the gas at higher speeds - to maximise fuel economy.
What is a plug-in hybrid car?
A step up from conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) house a larger battery pack and distribute energy differently, compared to its conventional counterpart.
A plug-in hybrid car primarily runs on its electric motor until it’s empty, then the gas engine will step in and carry the load. Essentially, plug-in hybrids use the gas engine as a backup for when the electric motor is out of charge.
How far the car travels while operating solely on the battery is called the vehicle’s electric range. Once the vehicle has gone as far as it can go on the electric motor, you’ll need to plug the car into a charging station to efficiently regain battery power. This is where the larger battery pack that we mentioned earlier comes in and is essential for providing those extra miles of electric-only driving.
To run on pure electric power, without burning a drop of fuel, you’ll need to charge the vehicle in advance (and keep recharging it). All this said, a plug-in hybrid doesn’t have to be plugged into a power source, as many can also recharge their battery from the petrol engine, similarly to a conventional hybrid, though this may not be as efficient as plugging the car into a power source. You could theoretically keep running in hybrid mode indefinitely, as long as you keep visiting the bowser.
How are conventional hybrids and plug-in hybrids different?
Despite both having a hybrid system, conventional and plug-in hybrids have their distinctive differences that make them unique.
Arguably the biggest difference between the two hybrids are how their electric motors work. In a conventional hybrid, the electric motor only kicks in when the car is still, driving slowly or cruising. Whereas with plug-in hybrids, the electric motor is the primary power source of the car and the gas engine is more of a back-up for when the electric motor is out of charge.
Another stark difference between conventional and plug-in hybrids is how their electronic motors charge. Conventional hybrids automatically charge the motor when you drive, while plug-in hybrids give you the option to hook them up to an external power source.
Ultimately, you don’t have to go out of your way to charge up a conventional hybrid, but with a plug-in hybrid you do if you want to enjoy an extended electric range. If you opt for a plug-in hybrid, you may want to make sure you have access to an at-home or public power station, otherwise you won’t be able to efficiently charge the electronic motor,which is the main drawcard of the car.
Plug-in hybrids can store more electricity than a conventional hybrid, thanks to their plug-in technology. As a result, a plug-in hybrid can drive an average of 50 to 60 kilometres on electric power alone. This is a much longer distance than what conventional hybrids are capable of, with their electric driving range generally being limited to under 30 kilometres.
It’s also important to keep in mind that a conventional hybrid’s electric motor only powers the car at slower speeds, whereas a plug-in hybrid’s electric motor powers the car in all uses until its charge is depleted.
When it comes to price, plug-ins are (understandably) more expensive. The larger battery pack, plus extra hardware and software, means you’ll be forking out more funds for this car, compared to a conventional hybrid. Not to mention, at-home chargers can set you back several thousand dollars and it will also cost you (per kWh) to charge the vehicle up at public charging stations.
Got emissions on your mind? Since hybrids still use fuel for the majority of driving, they’re not the most environmentally friendly vehicles. That said, conventional hybrids do produce lower emissions compared with gas-only cars, which is always a plus.
Since plug-in hybrids can run on their electric motor for longer, they tend to be more environmentally friendly than conventional hybrids. Although, some plug-in hybrids are less fuel-efficient than regular hybrids once the electric portion is depleted, which is something to bear in mind.
The Bottomline
Conventional and plug-in hybrids are similar in the sense that they both use gas engines and electric motors as part of their electric system, and that if their batteries are down, both cars essentially become gas-powered vehicles. What sets them apart, however, is the way their electronic motors operate and recharge. Conventional hybrids use the electric motor when it can, while plug-in hybrids use it until it runs out of charge and the gas engine kicks in. Conventional hybrids charge internally, while plug-in hybrids can also charge externally.
When working out which of the two would be better for you, consider your lifestyle, budget and driving habits. For example, if you don't want to deal with charging or live somewhere where you can’t install a charger (or access one elsewhere), a conventional hybrid could be the way to go. If accessing a charger is no issue, and you like the idea of electric-only driving for longer, then a plug-in hybrid may be the better option.
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