Everything about plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid and the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid cars
They are seen as the future of the automotive industry, the more powerful alternative to the electric car and the more environmentally friendly choice to the normal car with a diesel or petrol drive – the hybrid cars. The demand for cars with both drives is constantly increasing. Not least because they are considered to be particularly climate-friendly and are said to have much lower consumption than vehicles with a combustion engine.
Find out everything you need to know about hybrid cars in our energis guide - which models are available, how they work and whether a hybrid car is worthwhile for you.
What is a hybrid car? – The power from the socket
A hybrid car is a motor vehicle that is powered by at least two engines: at least one electric motor and usually an internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline or diesel engine. Due to these two existing energy converters and drive storage, the vehicle is called "hybrid", Latin for "of two different origins". Depending on the model, the focus of the drive is then more on the electric motor or the combustion engine. Hybrid cars are particularly suitable for drivers who want to switch to a more environmentally friendly alternative to normal petrol or diesel-powered vehicles, but for whom the range of a purely electric vehicle is still too short. In most hybrid vehicles, however, the energy required for the electric motor does not come from the socket, as many people think. Instead, it is more or less obtained by the vehicle itself. In many models, the energy generated during braking and acceleration is converted and stored. Some hybrid vehicles also have a motor-driven dynamo for this purpose, which is used to generate energy. However, without using the existing combustion engine, the range of such a hybrid vehicle is limited to a comparatively few kilometers. Only the so-called plug-in models, which can also be charged at a charging station or socket, can cover greater distances. through which energy is generated. However, without using the existing combustion engine, the range of such a hybrid vehicle is limited to a comparatively few kilometers. Only the so-called plug-in models, which can also be charged at a charging station or socket, can cover greater distances. through which energy is generated. However, without using the existing combustion engine, the range of such a hybrid vehicle is limited to a comparatively few kilometers. Only the so-called plug-in models, which can also be charged at a charging station or socket, can cover greater distances.
Hybrid car advantages and disadvantages?
A hybrid car combines the special advantages of electric vehicles and passenger cars with internal combustion engines. The respective disadvantages of the two types of vehicle can be very well balanced with a hybrid.
advantages
Hybrid cars combine many advantages of the two built-in drive technologies without having their disadvantages at the same time. A frequently mentioned advantage of hybrid vehicles is that they are much more environmentally friendly than diesel or petrol vehicles. The built-in electric drive ensures a much better CO2 balance when driving. In addition, the electrical energy from a charging station is usually much cheaper for the consumer than fossil fuels.
At the same time, normal petrol or diesel can be used with a hybrid if longer distances have to be covered without intermediate charging or if there is simply no suitable charging station nearby. As a result, cars with hybrid drives have a significantly greater range than normal electric vehicles. In addition, the danger of breaking down with the car is reduced by the possibility of being able to use two energies at the same time.
Another advantage of hybrid vehicles, which many people don't realize, is that there is much less energy loss when braking with a hybrid than with diesel or petrol vehicles. The brake pads are also protected in the long term. Because in electric mode, the built-in electric motor can store the energy suppressed during braking and then release it again when needed. The electric motor of a hybrid can therefore charge itself automatically. This advantage is particularly evident in city traffic with frequent stop-and-gos. On average, a hybrid car consumes 25 percent less energy than a comparable vehicle with a combustion engine. However, a hybrid car is often much more economical to drive on country roads, where you often have to brake and accelerate again.
Another advantage of hybrid vehicles is that they drive very quietly in electric mode. They move almost silently, which is why they help to reduce noise pollution in large cities.
Disadvantages
In terms of technology, a hybrid car has almost no disadvantages. The main disadvantage of a hybrid vehicle is the higher acquisition costs. On average, the price for purchasing a hybrid car is a third higher than for a comparable petrol car. With long-term use and frequent journeys, however, some savings can be made in the consumption costs in traffic in the city, so that the higher investment is partially amortized. When driving on the motorway, however, most hybrid models do not record any savings in energy consumption compared to conventional petrol or diesel vehicles. Here, the fuel consumption of a hybrid vehicle is usually even slightly higher due to the higher weight. So if you want to save costs with a hybrid car,
Another disadvantage of hybrid cars is that the fuel tank is quite a bit smaller than in a regular vehicle of the same model due to the reduced space. As a result, the range of a hybrid is limited, especially when driving on the motorway. In addition, the space required for the battery can also have a negative effect on the trunk volume.
Some critics of hybrid vehicles also point to the quiet driving style in electric mode as a disadvantage. They fear, for example, that the almost noiseless movement could lead to more accidents with wildlife, but also in road traffic, since cars are less noticeable.
How does a hybrid car work?
A hybrid car has two built-in engines: one that runs on electricity and one that runs on a fossil fuel. Therefore, there are also two ways in which the vehicle can be operated. Both engines can work in parallel, but driving different parts of the car. Or be operated in series so that only one motor provides the drive at a time, while the other only steps in when required. In the latter variant, the electric motor is often only used when starting and in the low speed ranges, otherwise the combustion engine works.
Among the hybrid vehicles there are also so-called mixed hybrids that work with both modes of action – ie both in parallel and in series.
What is the difference between a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid?
Plug-in cars also have a combustion engine and an electric motor. The biggest difference between a full hybrid and a plug-in hybrid is the size of the electric motor's battery and the ability to charge it externally using a power cable.
The terms "plug" and "in" stand for plugging the electric cable into the charging station. Therefore they are also called socket hybrids. Because the batteries of plug-in hybrids can also be charged via the power grid, they are not only dependent on the combustion engine. A lithium-ion battery is often used in these hybrid vehicles. Such a plug-in hybrid usually achieves battery performance with one charge that is sufficient for a range of up to 60 kilometers in pure electric operation. If the batteries are empty, it is also possible with the plug-in hybrid to switch to the sole operation of the combustion engine. The size of the battery makes it possible to cover longer distances fully electrically with plug-ins than with a full or mild hybrid. The battery can be charged via a normal household socket. However, this usually takes much longer than charging the battery at a special charging station.
What is a mild hybrid?
In contrast to a full hybrid, in a mild hybrid the battery is smaller and is only used for support. Due to the size of the battery, less electricity generated by recuperation when coasting and braking can be stored. Therefore, the electric motor is only used when accelerating or starting.
Difference between full hybrid and mild hybrid
In full hybrids, the built-in electric motor makes a significant contribution to the vehicle's progress. The main difference between a so-called full hybrid and a mild hybrid is that a full hybrid is able to drive solely on electric power, while the engine of a mild hybrid only has a supporting function. The performance of the mild hybrid is not sufficient to drive the vehicle without the combustion engine.
Difference between hybrid car and electric car
Both hybrid and electric vehicles represent a good and environmentally friendly alternative to the normal car with a combustion engine. However, in addition to the commonality that both have an electric drive and are powered by electricity, there are also numerous differences between a hybrid and an electric car. These relate mainly to the existing type of drive, the range, the amount of funding and its environmental friendliness.
drive types
Both types of vehicles, both the electric and the hybrid car, can be powered by electrical energy. A fundamental difference, however, is that the electric vehicle only has electricity available, while the hybrid has an additional drive in the form of a diesel or petrol-powered internal combustion engine.
Pure electric cars are only ever available in the form of plug-in vehicles, while many hybrid models do not require additional charging. The latter store the energy generated during braking and acceleration processes and charge themselves in this way.
Range
In purely electric operation, the range of an electric car is much greater than that of the same vehicle model in the form of a hybrid. This is because hybrid cars have less space available due to the two engine technologies and therefore have smaller batteries. Nevertheless, modern hybrid vehicles with an adapted driving style in electric mode can also achieve a range of up to 50 kilometers.
However, if both drive types are used in a hybrid, it usually has a longer range than the comparable electric vehicle.
Subsidy amount and purchase premium
Both hybrid and purely electric cars are subsidized by the state. However, the subsidy for electric cars is usually significantly higher. There are up to 6,000 euros for the purchase of a purely electric car, depending on the net list price of the basic model (as of 04/2022). In the case of a hybrid vehicle, the subsidy amounts to up to 4,500 euros, depending on the net list price of the basic model (as of 04/2022). There is also a special bonus for the environment, exchange and scrapping bonuses for both vehicle variants. However, the doubled federal share of 6,000 or 4,500 euros for the e-car bonus only applies until 2023, after which there is only the simple share from the federal government (environmental bonus).
Environmental/climate protection
In general, in terms of consumption, it can be said that purely electric cars are more environmentally friendly than hybrid vehicles. This is not only due to the use of the combustion engine in hybrid cars, but also to the fact that they are much heavier due to their two drive components and therefore consume more energy.
With a purely electric car, between 30 and 50 percent more energy can be saved than with a comparable hybrid model. In addition, hybrid cars also emit a lot more nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and greenhouse gases and thus represent a greater environmental impact.
