Find out more about what a hybrid car is and if it's right for you

With increasingly firm environmental regulations at European level and restrictions on certain vehicles in the continent's main cities, it is clear that electric mobility is here to stay.

This is evidenced by the fact that industry is increasingly developing new alternative technologies other than combustion engines that facilitate the transition to greener and cleaner transport. This is because of their low consumption and the reduction or elimination of polluting gases. If there is one technology that is winning the battle today, it is the hybrid vehicle, a solution that combines the internal combustion engine with electric batteries and which, in Spain, has received the ECO label from the Department of Traffic, with all the benefits that this entails. The number of petrol hybrids registered last year was 208,362, a figure that is growing each year ahead of other alternative vehicle options. Everything seems to point to a hybrid future.

Combining the best of both worlds

To understand how a hybrid vehicle works, the first thing we need to know is that not all hybrids are exactly the same, and that there are different models with different configurations.

Generally, a hybrid vehicle consists of an internal combustion engine (which can be diesel or gasoline) and an electric motor (or generator) with a battery. Thanks to an energy recovery system, this battery can be charged with the kinetic energy from regenerative braking and stored for when it is needed, e.g. for starting from a standstill.

As a result, using the energy that has been generated while driving avoids burning more fuel, saving not only our wallet, but also the use of resources and exhaust emissions. For situations where internal combustion is necessary, the vehicle will switch to its other engine via the power splitter, a gear system that allows for a smooth and steady drive by combining the power of the two engines.

What types of hybrid vehicles are there?

Within this formula, there are several types of hybrids on the market, with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Combined hybrids

These tend to be the most commonly seen on our roads. They operate exactly the same way as cars with conventional combustion engines, needing to be refuelled with petrol or diesel, meaning their range is dependent on those fuels.

This type of vehicle uses the electric motor mainly to get around the city, since these are journeys when energy is generated, and the battery charges more. In cases where a strong boost is needed, with considerable acceleration or high speed, the car will switch to the combustion engine.

Plug-in hybrids

In plug-in hybrids, the electric motor is the predominant one because this car has larger batteries that can store more energy simply by plugging into a charging station.

Their internal combustion engine is relegated to specific needs, such as achieving higher power.

Series hybrids

Very similar to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), series hybrids primarily use the electric motor, with high-capacity batteries that are charged at a designated charging point.

They differ from other types of hybrid cars in that the combustion engine only starts working when the batteries have been fully depleted and the car needs to keep running.

What is the right fit for me, a plug-in hybrid or an electric car?

In general, the choice between a hybrid car and an electric car depends mainly on the initial investment we are willing to make, as the latter are usually much more expensive.

Economic matters aside, electric cars tend to be perfect for city driving. There are several simple reasons for this: charging stations are springing up in densely populated areas, so it will be much easier to find a car park where you can charge your vehicle without having to travel far. Moreover, city journeys are shorter and do not need much electricity, and we will not be able to go fast in the city, so these vehicles are an ideal option for areas with heavy pollution where emissions need to be lower than normal.

If the car is going to be used for a variety of medium and long-distance journeys, or for more road use, then we should definitely opt for a hybrid car that gives us a greater range for long journeys.