What is a Hybrid Car?

Hybrids are popular among shoppers looking to get greater fuel efficiency. But, what is a hybrid car, exactly? To improve fuel efficiency, a hybrid car has both a gas engine and an electric motor. Those are the basics of the hybrid car meaning. The engine and the motor work together to provide the highest possible fuel economy.

Consider taking advantage of our offers for leasing or new vehicle specials to finance a hybrid vehicle at Yellowstone Toyota if you’re looking to save on gas as you head through Powell and Cody. And then contact us to schedule a test drive so you can take one home in no time.

Types of Hybrid Cars

The term “hybrid car” refers to a vehicle that has both an electric motor and a gasoline engine. Both the motor and the engine work together to optimize fuel efficiency in most hybrid car models. However, before you choose a hybrid car to get around in Billings, MT, you should familiarize yourself with the various hybrid vehicle kinds. Let us examine the various hybrid powertrains:

Parallel Hybrid

This is the most common hybrid car definition. Both the gas engine and the electric motor work in unison to power the drivetrain. That means your automatic, manual, or CVT transmission gets power from both gas and electricity to get you through town.

Series Hybrid

Series hybrid vehicles also pair electricity and gas. What makes this vehicle different, however, is that the electric motors are directly paired with the transmission and serves as the only power source for the drivetrain. What does the gasoline engine do? It just acts as a generator for the electric motors.

Plug-In Hybrid

A plug-in hybrid is similar to a parallel hybrid in the sense that both the electric motor and the gasoline engine are connected to the transmission. That being said, the increased battery in a PHEV means you can run for a certain distance on only electric power. If you’re regularly traveling short distances, you can drive on pure electricity, come home, and plug the vehicle into the wall as if it’s a full EV to recharge the battery. And if you run out of range, you can just switch to gas and benefit from increased fuel economy.

Your Hybrid is Close at Hand in Powell

Hybrid vehicles are ideal for Powell drivers who want to get the most out of their vehicle. However, buying the perfect hybrid means you need a team like ours. We at Yellowstone Toyota pride ourselves on providing expert customer service and we’re ready to help you make the right choice. Value your trade with us today if you’re ready to trade up to something new.