How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

Hybrid technology has truly come into its own in the last few years and we want you to be a part of it. Are you asking, “How do hybrid cars work?” There’s a lot of information to cover in a short time, but thankfully, it’s all going to be easy to understand by any East Moline drivers. We’ve got a lot of hybrid vehicles on our lot at Green Family Hyundai, so if you’ve never driven one before, it might just be time! Check out our guide and be sure to value your trade with us when you buy your next car!

Parallel Hybrid vs. Series Hybrid Vehicles

There are two sources of power when it comes to the hybrid cars you see on Rock Island roads. If you’re asking, “What is a hybrid car and how does it work,” then you’ll want to know first and foremost that they call them “hybrids” because they’re a blend of a traditional gas engine and an advanced electric battery. There are two main hybrid systems, parallel and series, and we’ll tell you how hybrid cars work:

Parallel Hybrid

Most hybrids you’ll see around town are parallel hybrids. In such a vehicle, both the electric motor and the gasoline engine are connected to the transmission, whether it’s an automatic, manual, or continuous variable transmission. They blend both of these power sources together.

Series Hybrid

The less common series hybrid also uses an electric motor with a gas engine, but only the electric motor is connected to the transmission. When you drive a series hybrid, the electric motor is the only source of power, while the gas engine acts as a generator for the electric motor.

Hybrid Cars Work vs. Plug-In Electric Vehicles

Still, Milan drivers should know that hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles are two separate categories. How do they differ? For one, EVs use electric power only with no gas. You might also see plug-in hybrids, which offer these features:

• With a larger battery pack, a PIH can go further on just electric power.
• If you drive short distances over the course of a day, you can do most of your daily tasks on just electric power.
• If you want to go further, you can count on the reliability and longevity of gasoline power to get a more traditional gas driving experience.
• Because they don’t fully rely on electricity, charging times for PIH vehicles are a lot less.

Discover Hybrid Power with Green Family Hyundai 

If you’re still wondering how hybrid cars work or asking, “How do hybrid cars work,” it’s time to come on over to Green Family Hyundai. We can answer any questions you may have and we’re always happy to help, and if you’re looking to finance, we’re your people. Contact us today to learn more!