What is a Hybrid Car?

Date: August 3st, 2022

With the world including Broomfield drivers turning to more environmentally friendly vehicles, many drivers are making the switch to hybrid powered vehicles. But what exactly is a hybrid vehicle? The hybrid car meaning is essentially a vehicle that has both an electric motor and a gasoline engine. By the hybrid car definition, both the electric motor and gasoline engines work together to provide the best fuel economy possible. If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient vehicle to get you around Aurora and beyond without constantly stopping at the pump, you should consider a hybrid vehicle. Today at Land Rover Denver, we’re going to go over the hybrid car meaning in-depth, cover the different types of hybrid powertrains, and answer the overarching question: “What is a hybrid car?” 

Types of Hybrid Cars

The hybrid car meaning is that the vehicle’s powertrain consists of an electric motor and gasoline engine. In most hybrid car definitions, both the motor and the engine work in conjunction to maximize fuel efficiency. Before choosing a hybrid vehicle for your Westminster adventures, you’ll want to learn about the different types of hybrid vehicles. Below, we’ll review the different hybrid powertrains and how they differ from one another. 

Parallel Hybrid

A parallel hybrid is the most common hybrid vehicle on the market today. The parallel hybrid car definition means that the electric motor and gasoline engine are connected to the same automatic, manual, or CVT transmission. In order to propel the vehicle forward, parallel hybrids blend their two power sources together for maximum efficiency.

Series Hybrid

Series hybrid cars also have electric motors paired with a gas engine. The difference is that electric motors are paired closely with the transmission and serve as the sole power source of the vehicle. The gasoline engine in a series hybrid vehicle acts as a generator for the electric motors, and its primary purpose is to provide power to the gasoline engine.

Plug-In Hybrid

Similar to a parallel hybrid, a plug-in hybrid has both the electric motor and gasoline engine connected to the transmission. However, what makes plug-in hybrids stand out from the rest is that they have a longer battery life and can drive further solely on electric. If you routine drive short distances, you can drive on electric power alone, return home, then plug your hybrid vehicle in (similar to an EV) to recharge the battery packs.

A great aspect of plug-in hybrid vehicles is that if you ever run out of electric driving range, the gasoline engine will switch on and act as if you’re driving a conventional parallel hybrid vehicle.

Find Your New Hybrid Vehicle at Land Rover Denver!

For Littleton drivers who don’t want to worry about range-anxiety but want a truly fuel-efficient car, hybrid vehicles are a solid option. Whether you’re shopping for a brand-new or pre-owned hybrid vehicle, you can use vehicle finder service to find the right model for you. Contact us online or call us at (855) 419-1178 today to learn more about our inventory. We’ll help you get behind the wheel of the hybrid vehicle that meets your needs and lifestyle in the Broomfield area!