The different hybrid engines
- Fully hybrid
- Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
- Mild hybrid
There are different hybrid engines to cater to everyone’s needs, for example some are either manual or automatic only. Different hybrid engines have different efficiency and ranges depending on what source of power the vehicle relies on most. Depending on where you are based you may find that there are different government regulations like ‘green zones’ and ‘ULEZ’ areas in cities and if these requirements are not met by your vehicle there Is usually a daily fee but if it does it is free.
Fully hybrid engine
A fully hybrid vehicle also known as a self-charging vehicle is still an automatic vehicle that uses both petrol (or diesel) engine alongside an electric motor to improve fuel efficiency, both the engine and electric motor can power the wheels together or separately. Unlike plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), fully hybrid vehicles cannot be charged form an external power source – instead, they recharge their battery using regenerative braking and the engine itself.
How does it work?
Electric-only mode at low speeds, the car can run on the electric motor alone for short distances only. Usually this is up to 30mph, depending on how much charge the car has.
Hybrid mode the petrol engine and electric motor work alongside each other. This is usually default mode for most cars as they reach 30 mph and is mainly used during town driving.
Engine-Only Mode – At high speeds or under heavy acceleration, the petrol engine does most of the work.
Regenerative Braking the car recovers energy when braking to recharge the battery. This usually boots when gentle and early braking takes place, resulting in EV mode being able to operate for longer periods.
Pros for fully hybrid vehicles
No need to plug in – the battery charges itself while driving.
Better fuel efficiency – uses electric power when possible, reducing petrol consumption.
Lower emissions – compared to a traditional petrol car.
Reliable & low maintenance – fewer moving parts than a plug-in hybrid or full electric vehicle.
Examples:
- Yaris Hatchback
- Yaris Cross Estate
- Toyota Corolla
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) is an automatic hybrid car that has both a petrol (or diesel) engine and a larger battery-powered electric motor. Unlike standard hybrids, PHEVs can be charged from an external power source, allowing them to drive on electric power alone for 20-50 miles before switching to petrol.
How does it work?
A Plug-in hybrid works very similar to a fully hybrid engine but you are able to recharge the battery externally resulting in having to put less fuel In.
Electric-only mode at low speeds, the car can run on the electric motor alone for short distances only. Usually this is up to 30mph, depending on how much charge the car has.
Hybrid mode the petrol engine and electric motor work alongside each other. This is usually default mode for most cars as they reach 30 mph and is mainly used during town driving.
Engine-Only Mode – At high speeds or under heavy acceleration, the petrol engine does most of the work.
Regenerative Braking the car recovers energy when braking to recharge the battery. This usually boots when gentle and early braking takes place, resulting in EV mode being able to operate for longer periods.
Plug-in Charging – The battery can be recharged using a home charger, public charging station, or a regular power outlet. This means the vehicle can run solely off electricity and not fuel vice versa.
Pros for Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV)
Lower running costs – Electricity is cheaper than petrol, so short trips cost much less.
Electric-only driving – Many PHEVs can handle daily commutes without using petrol at all.
Lower emissions – Less fuel use means reduced CO₂ output.
No range anxiety – Unlike fully electric cars (EVs), a PHEV has a petrol engine as backup.
Examples:
- Toyota C-HR Plug-in
Mild Hybrid (MHEV)
A Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) is a manual and automatic hybrid car that has a small electric motor to assist the petrol or diesel engine, but cannot drive on electricity alone. Instead, the electric motor helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by providing extra power during acceleration and using regenerative braking to recover energy.
How does it work?
Electric Motor Assistance: The electric motor assists the engine during acceleration and provides a smoother start-stop system, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Regenerative Braking: The electric motor also acts as a generator, capturing energy during braking and storing it in the 48-volt battery for later use.
No Plug-in Required: Unlike plug-in hybrids, mild hybrids do not require external charging and can be refuelled like a traditional car.
Examples :
- Ford Puma Hatchback (mHEV)
- Ford Focus Hatchback (mHEV)
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