What types of hybrid cars exist?

What are mild hybrid cars?

They are also known as mild hybrid electric vehicles, and you might have seen their acronym before: MHEV. They are also called light hybrids and are characterised by the following aspects:

• Its combustion engine does most of the work. In fact, the car cannot start in electric mode.
• The electric motor cannot propel the car on its own. However, it can serve as a combustion auxiliary.
• The electric battery is very small and light, but can store very little energy.

Advantages of mild hybrid vehicles

• Simple electrical systems, making these vehicles more affordable.
• Substantial range without the need for electric car charging points, thanks to the combustion engine.
• They usually consume less in comparison with an equivalent performance car with only a combustion engine. This also means their emissions are lower.
• More available space (especially in the trunk) as they don’t have a large battery.
• They have an eco-friendly label, making them a safe option for driving in city centres.

Disadvantages of mild hybrid cars

• Higher emissions of polluting gases than other hybrid vehicles as they still heavily rely on the combustion engine.
• The battery has very limited capabilities and is not designed to power the car on its own.
• The vehicle will not operate without fuel in the tank.
• They cannot be plugged into the grid and, therefore, cannot take advantage of off-peak energy rates.
• The operational cost is heavily dependent on fuel prices.
• Despite having the eco-friendly label, they do not benefit from the advantages of the zero-emission label.

Who should choose a mild hybrid vehicle?

They are ideal for users seeking an alternative very similar to a combustion car but with several consumption advantages, lower emissions, and an eco-friendly label. Additionally, they are attractive to those who normally travel more than 60 to 70 km due to their lighter battery weight.

Conventional hybrid cars

They are known as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and have the following features:

• They have a sufficiently large battery to, for example, start the car in electric mode.
• The battery cannot be charged by plugging the vehicle into the grid but through regenerative braking, like other hybrid cars.
• They have an electric motor that can support the combustion engine.
• The electric motor can run on its own, but only for a few kilometres.

Advantages of hybrid vehicles

• Regenerative braking allows for a small recharge during city driving, downhill driving, and other favourable conditions.
• Unlike mild hybrids, the electric motor can start the car, which reduces emissions during startup.
• Their battery is not as heavy as that of plug-in hybrids.
• They offer a substantial range thanks to the combustion engine's short refuelling time. They do not need to be plugged into the grid to recharge the electric battery.
• They benefit from the eco-friendly label advantages.

Disadvantages of hybrid cars

• Their electric range is very limited, meaning they pollute most of the time.
• Electrification may contribute to energy efficiency in many cases. Yet, it adds additional weight, which can be a disadvantage compared to pure combustion cars in situations where the electric motor is rarely used.
• They need space for both the motor and battery, which can reduce cabin space, fuel tank capacity, or trunk space.
• Like mild hybrids, they have an eco-friendly label but not a zero-emission label.

Who should choose a hybrid car?

They are ideal for mixed-use drivers. They should cover many short distances (such as inner-city traffic) with frequent speed changes to take advantage of regenerative braking recharges. However, this should not be their primary use, as they could save more with pure electric or plug-in hybrids. To fully benefit from a conventional hybrid vehicle, frequent long trips are necessary.

Plug-in hybrid cars

They are called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). Although you currently hear a lot about them, it is easy to confuse their features with those of the types of hybrid cars previously mentioned. Their distinctive features are as follows:

• They include an electric motor that can propel the vehicle for several km on its own. If they have more than 40 kilometres of electric range, they will have a zero-emission environmental label in Spain.
• The battery of plug-in hybrids is larger and heavier than that of conventional hybrids and mild hybrids. In return, it offers better performance and the possibility of recharging through the grid. Like other hybrids, they also use regenerative braking.
• They have a combustion engine that can operate when the battery is low. In many situations, they can also run in reverse, supported by the electric motor.

Advantages of plug-in hybrid vehicles

• They can make short trips without emissions or fuel usage. Even when the combustion engine is running, the electric motor can contribute to reducing consumption in many situations.
• Being able to plug in the vehicle allows for off-peak energy recharging.
• With proper use, you can go longer without refuelling at a gas station.
• If the electric range is more than 40 kilometres, they will enjoy the zero-emission environmental label.

Disadvantages of plug-in hybrid vehicles

• Their electrical systems are more complex and costly than those of other hybrid vehicles.
• Their battery is the heaviest among hybrids, which can be a significant burden when it is low on charge. This impacts consumption negatively on very long trips.
• Due to the larger battery, it can reduce available space, especially affecting the trunk.
• If used extensively in electric-only mode, the fuel can degrade in the tank over time.

Who should choose a plug-in hybrid vehicle?

They appeal to users who frequently take long trips, but not so often that the extra heavy battery becomes a significant drawback compared to conventional hybrids. Additionally, they should drive many miles on their daily commutes to offset the cost difference.

What other types of hybrid cars are available on the market?

Generally, hybrids represent a middle ground between combustion and pure electric cars. Most have a combustion engine that plays a major role, especially in long-distance travel. However, there are different approaches, in particular two of them:

• Extended-range electric vehicles, which have all the features of a pure electric car but also include a combustion engine. This engine is not for propulsion but for recharging the battery. Therefore, they do not have a combustion engine capable of propelling the vehicle.
• Fuel cell hybrids, which do not have a combustion engine but instead use fuel cells and rechargeable batteries.

What is the difference between a hybrid car and an electric car?

• Fully electric vehicles (called ‘battery electric vehicles’) have an electromechanical storage system (battery) as the only onboard storage system. One or more electric motors generate mechanical power, while energy is recovered from braking. They can also be charged through the electrical grid.

• Plug-in hybrid vehicles (called PHEVs or ‘plug-in hybrid electric vehicles’) have both a battery storage system that can be charged from the grid and a conventional gasoline engine with a fuel tank. Both the combustion engine and the electric motor generate mechanical power, while energy is also recovered from braking.

• Conventional hybrid vehicles (called ‘full hybrids’) have both a battery storage system, which cannot be charged from the grid, and a conventional gasoline engine with a fuel tank. Both the combustion engine and the electric motor generate mechanical power, while energy is recovered from braking.

Ultimately, there are different hybrid mobility solutions today. Therefore, we recommend studying to see if any of them suit you before making decisions. Each has its own features and thus targets a specific audience, with daily routines that match the needs of hybrid cars.