How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

What is a hybrid car, and how does it work? We say “car” loosely, referring to any passenger vehicle. That said, the more technical term is “hybrid electric vehicle”, or HEV. Most people simply call such cars “hybrids”. With that bit of semantics out of the way, let’s delve into the real purpose of this piece: explaining what hybrid cars or HEVs really are (how they work) as well as how that differs from run-of-the-mill gas vehicles in South Phoenix and other types of specialty alternative fuel vehicles like plug-in hybrids you might see driving around Glendale streets. 

Ready to learn more? Read on or contact us with questions! Meanwhile, explore our current inventory of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids if this type of vehicle interests you.

Compare Parallel Hybrid vs. Series Hybrid Vehicles

In answering the question, “What is a hybrid car and how does it work?”, we must first answer the first part, that is, what is a hybrid vehicle, exactly? Simply put, hybrid vehicles contain two fuel or energy sources. In the case of hybrid electric vehicles, these sources are gasoline, or petrol, and electricity, in the form of an electric motor and/or battery pack.

Great. Now you know what a hybrid car is, how do hybrid cars work? To better understand that, we’ll teach you more about the two main types of hybrid vehicles: parallel hybrids and series hybrids.

Parallel Hybrid

A majority of hybrids for sale today are parallel hybrids. In this type of hybrid, both the electric motor and the gasoline engine are connected to the vehicle’s transmission. Parallel hybrids work by blending both power sources together.

Series Hybrid

Series hybrids use an electric motor and a gasoline engine as well, like parallel hybrids. The key difference is that in this type of hybrid electric vehicle, only the electric motor is paired with the transmission. That means the electric motor acts as the sole source of power, and the gasoline engine simply works like a generator, providing power to make the electric motor run as necessary.

How Do Hybrid Cars Work Compared to Plug-In Electric Vehicles?

Plug-in hybrid cars are a different type of hybrid altogether. This is an important distinction, especially as it pertains to the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, because this more-environmentally-friendly Chrysler people-mover is actually a plug-in hybrid! So, what is a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and how does it work? PHEVs generally use a battery and electric motor to drive until the battery depletes. 

Then, you can drive the vehicle just like you would drive a gasoline vehicle for extra range beyond EV mode. Benefits of a PHEV include:

• For short distances around Laveen, you can use a plug-in hybrid very similarly to how you’d drive an electric-only vehicle, or “battery electric vehicle” (BEV) — that is, by relying on 100% electric power all day and recharging at night.
• With their increased battery packs, plug-in hybrids can go further on electric power alone. 
• Plug-in hybrid cars generally only take between 1 and 4 hours to fully charge.

Discover the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid at Bill Luke Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram!

Ready to explore the fuel-savings and environmental benefits of driving a hybrid in Phoenix? Bill Luke Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram is here to help! Give us a call to schedule a test drive appointment. Meanwhile, value your trade online so you can more easily make the switch to a greener family-friendly hybrid van from Bill Luke Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram!