A hybrid car combines an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors and a battery. A conventional hybrid (HEV) runs on fuel and recharges its battery through regenerative braking and the engine; it does not plug in. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can also charge from an external power source, while a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) has no engine.
How does a hybrid car work?
A typical hybrid powertrain includes a fuel tank and engine, an electric traction motor, a battery, power electronics, a transmission, and braking and thermal systems. Depending on the design and driving conditions, the engine and motor work separately or together to move the wheels. The battery can also support vehicle accessories and help the engine shut off while the car is stopped.
In a conventional HEV, the battery is charged by the engine and by regenerative braking. The car does not need to be plugged in.
What regenerative braking does
When a hybrid slows down, its electric motor can act as a generator. The rotating wheels turn the motor, converting some of the vehicle’s motion into electricity that is stored in the battery. This recovers energy that would otherwise be lost mainly as heat through braking. It improves efficiency, but it does not eliminate fuel use or make the car self-charging indefinitely.
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What are the main types of hybrid?
“Mild” and “full” describe how much the electric motor can propel the vehicle. “Series” and “parallel” describe how power reaches the wheels. These are separate ways of classifying a hybrid, not competing labels for the same feature.
Mild hybrid
A mild hybrid uses its motor and battery to assist the engine and may shut the engine off when the vehicle is stopped. Its motor cannot drive the vehicle on electricity alone. The U.S. Department of Energy says mild systems generally cost less than full hybrids but provide less fuel-economy benefit; that broad comparison does not predict the cost or economy of a particular model. DOE: How Do Hybrid Electric Cars Work?
Full hybrid
A full hybrid has a larger battery and a more powerful motor than a mild hybrid, allowing it to move for short distances or at low speeds using electric power. This capability does not mean it can travel a long distance without its engine.
Parallel and series layouts
- Parallel: The engine and motor are mechanically connected so either or both can drive the wheels. The DOE identifies this as the most common HEV design.
- Series: The electric motor drives the wheels, while the engine generates electricity. This layout is more commonly found in PHEVs, and some PHEVs can operate in either series or parallel configurations. DOE: How Do Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars Work?
How does an HEV differ from a PHEV or BEV?
| Vehicle type | What powers the wheels | How the battery is charged | Can it drive on electricity alone? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional hybrid (HEV) | Fuel-burning engine and electric motor, depending on design and conditions | Regenerative braking and the engine; no external charging | A full hybrid can travel short distances or at low speeds electrically. A mild hybrid cannot. |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | Electric motor and engine; the arrangement varies by vehicle | External charging, regenerative braking, and the engine | Yes. It can operate in electric mode before the engine is used; range varies by model. |
| Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) | Battery-powered electric motor; no internal combustion engine | External charging | Yes; it is powered by its battery and motor. |
These definitions follow the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center descriptions of electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. A PHEV’s electric range is vehicle-specific. If you rarely or never plug in a PHEV, the DOE says its fuel economy may be about that of a similarly sized HEV.
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How should you compare a hybrid with other cars?
There is no universal savings or payback figure that applies to every hybrid. Compare specific vehicles using the same assumptions and the way you expect to drive.
- Purchase price and trim: Compare similarly equipped versions, not a base hybrid with a better-equipped conventional model.
- Official fuel economy: Use the figures for the exact model and trim you are considering.
- Annual mileage: Fuel savings depend partly on how far you drive.
- Local energy costs: Use local fuel prices for HEVs and, for PHEVs, local electricity costs as well.
- Charging access: A PHEV’s electric operation depends on access to external charging and on how often you charge it. A conventional HEV does not need charging equipment.
- Applicable incentives: Check current eligibility for the vehicle and location rather than assuming an incentive applies.
The DOE’s Alternative Fuels Data Center notes that HEVs may cost more than comparable conventional vehicles and offers a tool to compare a selected HEV with a comparably equipped non-hybrid from the same manufacturer, including estimated fuel-cost savings. Treat the result as an estimate and enter current vehicle and location information. DOE: Hybrid Electric Vehicles
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