### What is a Hybrid?

A hybrid powertrain uses a gasoline engine and an electric motor with a battery pack to power the vehicle. While there are various ways to do this, the reasons for using a hybrid powertrain include reducing emissions, maximizing fuel economy, and providing extra horsepower. 

Despite the increasing number of all-electric models like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Tesla Model 3 on the market (and upcoming electric vehicle mandates in some states), some buyers are concerned about the possible downsides of going fully electric. These factors include a short driving range, long charging times, lack of places to charge the car, and battery replacement costs. Hybrid technology can help conventional cars become fuel-efficient vehicles more easily than going fully electric.

Right now, hybrid cars represent a bridge between solely internal combustion engines and going completely electric. Most automakers offer them, too, giving customers a lot of choice in this segment. They offer miles per gallon (mpg) figures previously seen only by diesel engines. But others use electrical energy to boost power under certain driving conditions, while some utilize a larger battery to offer increased electric drive.

But there are many types of hybrids with different fuel economy gains, offer various benefits, and require other compromises. Here's a rundown on the type of hybrid cars on the market.

### What is a Parallel Hybrid?

In a parallel hybrid, the gas engine and electric motor are both attached to the same transmission. Either or both power sources can directly power the wheels. And how the system works largely depends on the highway or city driving, road and weather conditions. They are typically more efficient at low speeds and benefit from a regenerative braking system to recoup lost energy that then recharges the hybrid battery.

Parallel hybrids are probably what most people think of when they think of hybrid vehicles. For example, the Toyota Prius (launched in the US in 2000) uses this hybrid system, as most Toyota and Lexus hybrid models do. Other models that use this system include the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and recently discontinued Ford Fusion.

One benefit of a parallel hybrid is that the gas and electric motors' potentials can be combined for peak power output when needed. Using both motors separately allows the gas engine to run when it's most efficient and the electric motor to do the same. The engine also generates the charge for the batteries.

However, there is no way to charge the battery pack from an external source. These engines also typically use a smaller gas engine not intended to power the vehicle long without electric assistance, meaning it may struggle for power if the battery charge is low. Systems like Toyota's also use a so-called eCVT (electric continuously variable transmission) that lacks fixed gears. That can cause a droning sound under hard acceleration.

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### What is a Series Hybrid?

While a series hybrid, or range extender, uses gas and electric propulsion, only the electric motor drives the wheels. It's essentially an electric car with a gas generator on board. The BMW i3 and Chevrolet Volt used this technology. One unique feature of this packaging is that the combustion engine is doing its own thing, keeping the batteries charged, unrelated to the speed at which the car is accelerating or at cruising speed.

A benefit is that the vehicle can take advantage of electric power as long as possible without the system automatically shifting to a hybrid situation. And it also eliminates the range anxiety of a full EV because the driver only has to fill the vehicle up with gas like a parallel hybrid. In addition, the battery packs on series hybrids also tend to be smaller on full EVs, which usually means a shorter charging time.

However, they will never have the range of a full EV. And fuel economy when using gasoline power is hardly exceptional compared to a parallel hybrid's. And the system adds a lot of complexity to the car, often reflected in the price.

### What is a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)?

A plug-in hybrid is a parallel hybrid that can be charged by plugging it into an external power source. PHEVs are designed to allow for some electric-only range before reverting to a traditional hybrid system of delivering power. That PHEVs allow for electric-only driving is a critical difference between them and non-plug-in. Various new cars offered with this technology include the Audi Q5, BMW 3 Series, Chrysler Pacifica, Porsche Cayenne, and Volvo XC90.

Fully recharging the large onboard battery pack on PHEVs typically takes 5 to 12 hours using a household-style 120-volt outlet, depending on the battery size. Most plug-in hybrid electric vehicles now use a lithium-ion battery.

Owners of plug-in hybrids will probably want to have a Level 2 charger installed at their home (a 240-volt outlet like the one a clothes dryer uses) or have a high-speed charging station located nearby. Level 2 charging can drop charging times to about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the battery size. That additional battery capacity allows for more extended driving in electric mode.

Increased electric range means less fuel consumption and increased fuel efficiency. With an average range of around 25 miles on modern PHEVs, a short daily commute could mean never having to fire up the gas engine.

An example of a PHEV is the Toyota RAV4 Prime, the most potent RAV4 currently available, with 302 horsepower. It can travel up to 42 miles solely on electricity.

There are examples of PHEVs that are series hybrids. For example, the Karma Revero GT has a gas engine that generates energy for the batteries under heavy acceleration or when the battery pack is low on charge. Despite its gas engine, Karma markets the Revero GT as an electric car to compete with Tesla.

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### What is a Mild Hybrid?

Mild hybrids have a battery and an electric motor, but both are always used in concert with the conventional engine to add power or boost fuel efficiency. That's opposed to the parallel full hybrids and plug-in hybrids that can only run at least partially on electric power.

The Jeep Wrangler four-cylinder and the Ram 1500's eTorque engines are one such example of a mild hybrid. An electric motor attached to either the available engine's crank and a tiny 0.4-kWh battery pack add power when needed. The electric motor also operates the fuel-saving start/stop system, preventing the truck from idling when stopped for short periods and can charge the battery through regenerative braking under deceleration, even though it is not connected physically to the wheels.

Many automakers have recently added mild hybrid systems to gasoline-only engines to boost fuel economy by allowing them to utilize the start/stop system longer and offer extra power under hard acceleration. Gasoline versions of models from Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo now incorporate the technology.

### Are Hybrids Reliable?

Hybrid vehicles require regular, scheduled maintenance, just like other cars. While the powertrains are not as straightforward to maintain as an electric vehicle, after more than two decades of service in the US, enough service technicians are familiar with them, especially for some of the most popular models like the Prius.

With both electric and conventional motors, buyers may be worried about reliability. Worry not, as hybrids have been on the road for decades. Cars like the Prius are known to cover hundreds of thousands of miles reliably. Moreover, with the electrical system's assistance at moments of higher stress, having onboard electric power may reduce wear and tear on the internal combustion engine. Manufacturer warranties reflect this, with Hyundai and Kia backing their hybrid components with 10-year/100,000-mile warranties. Toyota and Lexus include 8-year/100,000-mile warranties on their vehicles' hybrid parts.

The constant cycle of charging and draining a battery will ultimately reduce the battery's capacity. Therefore, when purchasing used, verify the battery capacity is up to par. Some studies have indicated a battery should still have about 80% of its original capacity after a 6-year life.

While the discussion might be around fully electric vehicles now, hybrid vehicles represent a large portion of the market and a bridge to complete electrification.

What is a Hybrid and How Does it Work?

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