The choice of vehicle is a key decision in our daily lives, influencing mobility, costs and the environmental impact of our journeys. In this context, the advantages of hybrid cars are becoming increasingly popular. These cars, which combine an electric motor with a petrol engine, are distinguished by their dual-energy system and rechargeable battery. This type of low-emission vehicle is becoming an increasingly attractive option for those considering a new car purchase.
The popularity of hybrid cars is growing all the time. They are the right answer to today’s mobility needs, while paving the way for a more sustainable future. Here’s an overview of the major advantages of hybrid cars, which combine fuel economy with lower pollutant emissions.
The consumption model of a hybrid vehicle
A hybrid car is distinguished by its ability to draw energy from two different sources: an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The key to this technology lies in the harmonious interaction between these two systems. The electric motor takes over during low-energy driving phases, such as when idling or driving at low speed, saving fuel. At higher speeds or during acceleration, the internal combustion engine kicks in to provide the extra power needed.
Hybrid cars (not to be confused with plug-in hybrids) do not need to be plugged in to recharge their batteries. Instead, they use a process called brake energy recovery or ‘regeneration’. When the driver brakes or releases the accelerator, the energy normally lost is converted into electricity and stored in the battery for later use.
The 2 main advantages of hybrid cars
Having understood how a hybrid car works, it’s worth highlighting the two main advantages that distinguish these vehicles from their conventional counterparts. Hybrid vehicles are not only technologically innovative, they also offer significant benefits in terms of fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
Fuel economy
One of the major advantages of hybrid cars is their ability to consume significantly less fuel than conventional vehicles. Thanks to the efficiency of their electric motor, hybrid cars are able to save energy during low-speed or idling driving phases.
This ability to alternate between two energy sources optimizes fuel consumption and therefore reduces operating costs in the long term. In the long term, this fuel economy translates into a significant reduction in operating costs. With fuel prices constantly on the rise, opting for a hybrid car can be a wise and economical choice.
Lower pollutant emissions
As well as saving money, hybrid cars help reduce pollutant emissions. Their technology considerably reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Less fuel consumed means less CO2 emitted.
What’s more, the use of electric motors, particularly in urban environments, has a direct impact on air quality. It generates fewer fine particles, helping to improve the quality of the air we breathe.
At a time when sustainability and respect for the environment have become decisive criteria, the automotive industry is no exception. Hybrid cars embody this trend, offering a more efficient mobility solution while delivering performance and driving comfort comparable to those of conventional vehicles.
Hybrid vehicles: at the heart of the current dynamics of the automotive market
Hybrid cars are playing an increasingly important role in the automotive market. The balance they offer between a traditional combustion engine and an electric motor, as well as the possibility of recharging their battery without necessarily requiring the installation of an electrical socket, meets a growing demand from consumers.
More and more consumers are attracted by the flexibility offered by hybrid cars. These vehicles combine the qualities of gasoline and electric cars. On the one hand, they offer the range and ease of refueling of a gasoline car thanks to their combustion engine. On the other hand, they allow you to enjoy the benefits of an electric car, such as quiet driving and reduced emissions, without the constraints associated with recharging the battery.
It’s no coincidence that carmakers are investing more and more in hybrid technologies at all levels of the range. The market is buoyant, and hybrid cars, particularly plug-in hybrids, are seen as an excellent alternative for those who are still hesitating to make the leap to all-electric. They offer the opportunity to experience the benefits of electric driving, while retaining the safety and familiarity of a gasoline engine.
By transforming the way we drive, hybrid technology will have left its mark on the automotive sector and contributed to its development towards the powertrains of the future.
The batteries, electric motor, and combustion engine work in harmony to create an optimum driving experience, while respecting our planet.
FAQs on hybrid cars
What is the difference between a hybrid car and an electric car?
A hybrid car combines both an electric and a combustion engine, offering greater range. The battery is recharged either automatically (fully or partially) or via a plug socket in the case of plug-in hybrids. An electric car, on the other hand, is powered entirely by a rechargeable battery and has no internal combustion engine.
What is the range of a plug-in hybrid?
The range of a plug-in hybrid car can vary depending on the model and the size of the battery. As a general rule, these vehicles can cover a distance of between 50 and 80 kilometers in all-electric mode before switching to gasoline power.
