Benefits of a Hybrid Vehicle

While there is a long list of benefits of hybrid cars to the environment, not all hybrids are equal.  Technically, when a conventional combustion engine is augmented with an alternative energy source to propel a vehicle, it is considered a hybrid. But how that electronic energy source is fueled defines what kind of hybrid you are driving.   When you are shopping for a hybrid, really take some time to decide what your must-haves are, what type of driving you do, and what are your top priorities. Jeep currently offers two vary unique plug-in hybrid vehicles…they are off-road capable! These two models are perfect for someone looking to go-green, while also maintaining the ability of a traditional off-road SUV. On the other hand, if you need passenger space for more than five people, the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV would be the way to go.

Before you ask if hybrid cars are fuel-efficient, it is important to understand that not all Hybrids are the same.  There are three main types of hybrid vehicles; full hybrids, mild hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. Knowing what works best for you means understanding the difference. While hybrid cars use gas and electricity, depending on the model, what kind of gas hybrid cars use will vary between traditional petroleum and diesel fuel.

A Full Hybrid (FHEV) offers three alternative ways to fuel your vehicle.  It can run on just the combustion engine (i.e.gas/diesel), the electric engine (i.e. power from batteries), or a combination. In a FHEV, the electric system propels the vehicle up to a predetermined speed (ie. 30 mph) then the combustion engine takes over.  A full hybrid is self-sustaining and doesn’t require to be plugged in.  Instead, the battery is recharged by running the combustion engine.

A Mild Hybrid has an electric motor and combustion engine which always work together. Mild hybrids cannot run on just electric or just combustion engine mode. The engines/motors always work in parallel, switching fuel source based on the acceleration of the vehicle. Mild hybrids typically have stop-start and regenerative braking, but are not capable of the MPG figures of an FHEV.

A Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), as the name suggests, requires plugging in, in order to fully recharge its battery. PHEVs can be run in just electric mode offering the greatest fuel economy; but they come with a dependency on charging stations to recharge the battery.

There is no question that hybrids are the most gasoline efficient of all cars.  But the real question at this point; is how many miles can you go before you need to plug-in and recharge. According to the experts at the Institute for Transportation Studies, “Plug-in hybrids may drive for 10-50 miles using only electricity before they start using gasoline, and can then drive for about 300 miles (depending on the size of the fuel tank, just like any other car).”

 Most models will typically record anywhere from 48 to 60 mpg.    However, this is only about 20% to 35% better than a fuel-efficient, gasoline-powered vehicle, which begs the question, are hybrid cars worth it?

To answer that question, consider the following:

1. How many miles a year will you be driving?

2. How long do you plan on owning the vehicle?

Here is where the math comes in when deciding why hybrid cars are better for YOU.  While hybrid models can be more expensive than their conventional engine counterparts, the real savings will come with how much you will be saving in the cost of gasoline and the depreciation of the vehicle.  While your annual fuel costs may be reduced by $200-300 a year, you need to figure out how many years you need to drive this vehicle to compensate for the additional upfront cost to buy the hybrid.

All in all, there are a lot of reasons why hybrid cars are popular and why hybrid cars are better for the environment, but the big question is, is a Hybrid car good for you? At Warsaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram we have a variety of Hybrid models that might fit your driving needs and be good for the environment.  Check out the Wrangler 4xe, Grand Cherokee 4xe, Pacifica PHEV, and Dodge Hornet Hybrid online today!