What is a Hybrid Car?

Are you shopping for a fuel-efficient vehicle to upgrade your Madison commute? A hybrid could be the ideal choice. What exactly is the hybrid car definition? The hybrid car meaning is essentially a vehicle that is powered by an electric motor paired with a gasoline engine. By the hybrid car definition, the electric motor and gasoline engine work in tandem to help you get the most out of every gallon of gas. Learn more about the different types of hybrid vehicles, then visit Patty Peck Honda in Ridgeland to check out our new Honda hybrid inventory today!

Types of Hybrid Cars

You’ll get the best of both worlds with a hybrid car, meaning you can enjoy strong performance with excellent fuel economy returns. However, the hybrid car definition applies to a few different types of hybrid powertrain configurations. Take a look at the different hybrid powertrains available to find out which is the best fit with your Brandon-area driving needs:

Parallel Hybrid

The most common hybrid vehicle on the market today, a parallel hybrid features an electric motor and gasoline engine connected to an automatic, manual, or continuously variable transmission (CVT). Parallel hybrids blend their two power sources together to propel the vehicle forward.

Series Hybrid

Series hybrid vehicles also have an electric motor and a gasoline engine. However, the electric motor is directly paired with the transmission. The gasoline engine in a series hybrid vehicle simply acts as a generator for the electric motor. The Honda two-motor hybrid system, offered with the Accord Hybrid and the CR-V Hybrid, can operate as either a series or parallel hybrid. The majority of the time, the system operates as a series hybrid and its only job is to provide power to the gasoline engine.

Plug-In Hybrid

A plug-in hybrid car definition is similar to a parallel hybrid in that it comes equipped with both an electric motor and a gasoline engine. The primary difference being that you’ll have a larger battery in a plug-in hybrid car, meaning you will be able to drive farther on electric power alone. If you’re regularly driving short distances around Jackson, you can drive on pure electric power, come home, and plug the hybrid vehicle in (similar to an electric vehicle) to recharge the battery pack. When you are driving longer distances, the gasoline engine will kick in when the battery is depleted. This can help alleviate the range anxiety that many drivers have regarding all-electric vehicles.

Explore the Honda Hybrids Available at Patty Peck Honda!

Are you ready to learn more about the Honda hybrid lineup? Head on down to our dealership in Ridgeland. Our friendly sales team will be happy to fill you in on all that a new Honda hybrid has to offer. Meanwhile, explore our new vehicle specials and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.