What is a Hybrid Car – Types of Hybrid Cars

Hybrid vehicles aren’t new to the scene, but more and more shoppers nowadays are upgrading their rides to one for better fuel efficiency. But what is it exactly? The hybrid car meaning is essentially a vehicle that has an electric motor with a gasoline engine. By the hybrid car definition, both the electric motor and gasoline engines work together to deliver an impressive performance and exceptional fuel efficiency. Let’s go over the different types of hybrid vehicles below before shopping for the exact type of hybrid car that is right for your lifestyle!

Types of Hybrid Cars

In general, the hybrid car definition is a vehicle that relies on both the motor and the engine. However, not every hybrid model uses both motor and engine at the same time and the way they are powered varies from car to car. Learn about the different types of hybrid vehicles that you can find for sale:

Parallel Hybrid

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

Series Hybrid

Series hybrid vehicles also have electric motors paired with a gasoline engine. The difference is the electric motors are directly paired with the transmission and are the sole power source of the vehicle. The gasoline engine in a series hybrid vehicle simply acts as a generator for the electric motors and its only job is to provide power to the gasoline engine.

Plug-In Hybrid

A plug-in hybrid is similar to a parallel hybrid in that both the electric motor and gasoline engine are connected to the transmission. However, they stand out thanks to their increased battery packs and their ability to drive farther on the electric motors alone. If you’re regularly driving short distances, you can drive on pure electric power, come home, and plug the hybrid vehicle in (similar to an electric vehicle) to recharge the battery packs. Have range anxiety? If you ever run out of electric driving range, the gasoline engine will kick in and act as if you’re driving a conventional parallel hybrid vehicle.

Find Your Hybrid Car at Holman Today!

Whether you want a brand-new hybrid car or you want a quality pre-owned car, we have a large selection of hybrid options for you. Are you wondering do electric vehicles require oil? Holman has you covered. Reach out to schedule your test drive, so you can see our whole lineup in person!