How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

If you’re new to the world of hybrids and EVs, you’re probably curious about how hybrid cars work. Lucky for you, here at Tacoma Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram we have a wide selection of hybrid vehicles for you to choose from for your next vehicle upgrade. Find out with the guide below from Tacoma Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, and then explore our extensive hybrid inventory today!

Parallel Hybrid vs. Series Hybrid Vehicles

No matter what model you choose, hybrids are a great choice for improving fuel economy. Just what is a hybrid car, and how does it work under the hood? A hybrid vehicle actually has two power sources: a traditional internal combustion engine, and an electric battery. In hybrid systems, the two work in tandem to get you the best fuel economy possible. 

So, how do hybrid cars work? Below you’ll find the two most common configurations, parallel and series:

Parallel Hybrid

Most hybrids on the market today are parallel hybrids. In these vehicles, both the electric motor and the gasoline engine are connected to the transmission, whether it’s an automatic, manual, or CVT system. They work by blending both power sources together.

Series Hybrid

Series hybrids also use an electric motor paired with a gasoline engine, but only the electric motor is paired with the transmission. In these vehicles, the electric motor is the sole source of power and the gasoline engine acts as a generator for the electric motor.

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

We went over how hybrid cars work above, but keep in mind that hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles are two distinct categories.So how does that compare to EVs? While hybrid vehicles run on the combined power of a gasoline engine and electric battery, EVs use electric power only. But with the conception of plug-in hybrids, you can combine the benefits of both:

• With their increased battery packs, plug-in hybrids can drive on electric power alone. 
• For short distances around DuPont, you can use a plug-in hybrid much like you’d drive an EV — relying on 100% electric power all day and recharging at night.
• If you’ll be heading out on a longer trip that exceeds the electric driving range, you can fill up on gasoline like you would with a conventional powertrain.
• Because they don’t rely solely on electricity, hybrid plug-in vehicles take between 1 and 4 hours to fully charge.

Discover Hybrid Power with Tacoma Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Tacoma

We’re here to work with you in finding the right hybrid vehicle for your budget, or you can use our online payment calculator as well! We’re happy to answer questions you may have so you can decide if electric power is the right solution for your Puyallup and Spanaway drives. Contact a member of our team at Tacoma Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram to get started today.