What is a Hybrid?

Find out everything you need to know with our 2019 Hybrid Guide

So before anything else, let’s answer the question:

What is a Hybrid Car?

A Hybrid is a car with two motors – one Petrol or Diesel and one Electric. A battery stores energy, which powers the electric motor. At higher speeds, the petrol motor takes over and drives the wheels.

In town or at lower speeds, the Hybrid typically uses the electric motor to move the car along. When you need to go faster or drive up a steep hill, the internal combustion engine kicks in to power the car. Sometimes they use a combination of both motors together - cleverly and seamlessly moving between power sources automatically. In this way, the Hybrid maximises energy efficiency.

See hybrid cars Send an enquiry

Why buy a hybrid car?

Personal transport is changing.

Traditionally the choice of engine in a car has been between Petrol and Diesel.

But environmental protection, reducing emissions and saving natural resources are increasingly important. That’s why manufacturers have been developing innovative energy-efficient cars over the last decade.

Advanced power options such as Hybrid cars are the future of driving. Not only do they take a responsible stand on cleaner motoring, but they also give you the advantage of saving money on fuel costs.

And with the best Hybrid cars giving over 200 mpg, you’re sure to reduce your weekly fuel bill as well as reducing emissions and pollution.

Let’s see how.

There are three main types:

• Mild Hybrid
• Self Charging Hybrid
• Plug in Hybrid

What are the advantages of a hybrid?

Hybrid cars are easy to own and run, being a step towards the eco-conscious future era of low emissions and clean motoring. The best Hybrid SUV and best Hybrid cars offer energy efficiency and significant fuel savings without compromising performance.

Here are the advantages you can expect:

• Fewer trips to the Service Station forecourt
• Access to instant torque from stationary
• Smooth power delivery
• Reduced emissions
• Reduced road tax
• No London congestion charge (depending on category)
• Improved mpg
• Find out more about Government policy on Low emissions vehicles

So how much can you save with a hybrid?

Take a look at the excellent Honda CR-V Hybrid SUV. This superb car is available in Petrol and Hybrid specifications. The first of the new Honda Hybrid cars, we’ve taken the ‘S’ Grade Two-Wheel Drive Specification and compared the manufacturer’s fuel consumption and emissions figures between these two models:

You can see the CR-V is already a highly fuel efficient and low polluting SUV and the hybrid version will consistently save you even more money on every journey.

But how does an older car stack up to the best performing Hybrids?

Here we have a comparison between stated consumption and emissions performance between one of the best Hybrid SUV, the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid and a 2008 model SUV of equivalent engine capacity and dimensions:

	2008 SUV	Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
Combined Fuel Consumption (mpg)	39.2	201.8
Combined CO₂ (g/km)	179	31

That’s a big difference, by any standards.

Say you had a daily 20-mile round trip commute.

Over a week you’d save over 9 litres of fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by over 2 kg.

Of course this could mean hundreds of litres of fuel and kilograms of CO2 per year difference, depending on your mileage. Over the lifetime of the vehicle this adds up to a significant difference in both cost savings and pollution reduction.

And remember this is for just one vehicle. Reducing the environmental impact of motoring is a collective effort and everyone has their part to play.

What is a Self-Charging Hybrid Car?

A Self-Charging Hybrid has both an electric motor and a Petrol (or Diesel) engine which recharges its battery on the road autonomously. The electric motor can power the car alone at slower speeds. On faster roads the petrol motor automatically takes over to power the car.

And depending on the system, the petrol and electric motors may work together simultaneously.

But there’s no need to recharge the car by plugging it in. Self charging hybrid cars have an unlimited range just like traditional cars, but with better fuel economy and lower emissions.

How Does a Self-Charging Hybrid Car Work?

When you drive in engine power mode, some of the power from the motor continuously charges the battery to keep it at optimum levels.

Some Hybrids also use a system called regenerative braking which recovers kinetic energy created while slowing down to recharge the battery. And because these cars have hybrid systems that are completely autonomous, they are known as self-charging.

Smart innovation seamlessly controls the car’s energy use in the most efficient way. In town, you’ll benefit from practically silent motoring which is serene and relaxing.

When accelerating, the electric motor will assist the petrol motor for less engine strain and quieter driving. And when required, the engine will contribute to the recharging of the battery pack. Even when the battery levels are at their lowest, there’s no danger of getting stranded as the petrol motor will take over.

And if you’re wondering about the Self Charging Hybrid Price, you may want to take a look at our best new car offers at Brayleys. We have the best Hybrid cars for sale in North London, Hertfordshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Middlesex.

Browse our range of Self-Charging Hybrids

What is a Plug-in Hybrid Car?

A Plug-in Hybrid has both a battery-powered electric motor and a petrol engine. But the plug in hybrid, as its name suggests, can be charged up from a mains plug. This could be an ordinary domestic power socket, a home charging station or one of over 20,000 public charging points in the UK.

Usually abbreviated to PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, these cars have an electric-only range which is often enough for most people’s everyday commute – up to 36 miles in some cases. With the best Plug-in Hybrid, you can expect emissions as low as 29g/km CO2 and fuel consumption up to an incredible 201.8 MPG.

Take a look at the 2019 range of the best Plug-in Hybrid cars for sale from Honda and Kia.

The expert staff at Brayleys are at your service to explain all the benefits of these practical and economical cars.

How Does a Plug-in Hybrid Car Work?

The PHEV typically has a combination of petrol engine and electric motor with higher power and larger battery capacity than other hybrids. This means an increased all-electric range of up to 36 miles in some models. And when you’re driving in electric mode, no fuel is being used and so there are zero emissions.

Regenerative braking technology returns kinetic energy to recharge the battery pack while coasting or braking. Sophisticated technology informs drivers of the energy expenditure on the road.

This helps you reduce consumption and emissions even further by suggesting energy-saving driving techniques.

Some systems even use satellite navigation to anticipate the most efficient power source.

What about charging a PHEV?

There’s no need to worry about electric range in a PHEV. When the battery is low, the Petrol or Diesel engine will automatically take over. Then when it’s convenient, simply hook up your PHEV to an electricity supply using the cable provided with the car. Charge up the battery when at home, at work or at any of the increasing number of public charging stations when you’re out and about.

Did you know there are over 20,000 charging points in the UK today?

What is a Mild Hybrid Car?

A Mild Hybrid car has an electric motor and battery system which assists the regular Petrol or Diesel engine but isn’t designed to power the car alone.

Energy created during slowing is automatically recuperated. The mild hybrid assists the internal combustion engine to augment power and reduce engine load. You can expect modest gains in fuel efficiency and emissions reductions with no need to recharge and an unlimited range.

See Mild Hybrid cars

How Does a Mild Hybrid Car Work?

A Mild hybrid uses generator motor to recuperate energy when you slow down. This energy is transferred to a 48 Volt battery pack situated at the back of the car. Seamlessly and automatically, the car uses the battery power to help the main engine drive the car, particularly during acceleration. The battery also enhances the Stop-Start system to function more smoothly and allows the engine to be switched off more often.

What are the advantages of Mild Hybrid Cars?

• Lower in cost than full hybrid cars due to the smaller electric motor and battery
• Lower emissions
• Lower running costs thanks to increased energy efficiency
• Improved performance with enhanced engine power
• Reduced engine load resulting in less noise

What’s the difference between a Hybrid and an electric car?

Unlike the dual power cars, Electric cars rely solely on an electric motor, powered by a battery.

EV’s from Kia and Renault are an exciting vision of zero-emissions motoring with long ranges and fast charging. Find out more about the range of Electric cars from Brayleys.

Should I buy a Hybrid car?

Although it may seem a leap into the unknown, you should definitely consider a hybrid for your next new car in 2019. The full EV may be the ultimate in low-emission personal transport, however Hybrids are an increasingly popular and practical choice towards clean motoring. It’s an exciting future with packed with innovation and technology designed to provide fun, economical and environmentally considerate driving.

At Brayleys, we’re at the forefront of new technology and innovation with the best hybrid cars from Kia, Honda, Mazda, Dacia and Renault. Find out what it’s like to drive a hybrid car on the road for yourself by arranging a test drive today.

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are on hand to guide you through the best hybrid cars. Take advantage of our best new car deals with Brayleys Hybrid car offers.

We’re highly knowledgeable on all types of hybrid and we’re at your service to explain all the benefits. Call in for a friendly welcome and take advantage of the best new car offers and latest Brayleys hybrid car offers.

View our full range of Hybrid cars today at Brayleys:

Select your ideal plug in Hybrid Car:

Browse the range of Self-Charging Hybrids:

Take a look at our range of the best mild hybrid cars:

Brayleys: Hybrid Cars For Sale in North London, Hertfordshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Middlesex.

To find out more about 2019 Hybrid cars or to take advantage of our latest new car offers please send us an enquiry

Book a test drive Send an enquiry