Hybrid vs. Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles

As electrified cars become more affordable and easy to own, Raleigh drivers are lining up to switch from their current gas-guzzling traditional model to a fuel-efficient hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or EV. That said, many drivers aren’t ready to leap head-first into the market by buying a fully electric vehicle like the upcoming Hummer EV. To test the feel of electric models without the commitment, drivers are instead turning to hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars. 

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models bridge the gap between traditional gas-powered vehicles and all-electric cars, using a combination of a combustion engine and an electric motor system to power your Apex drives. So, what’s the difference between hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, and which should you choose for your morning commute? Find out with this guide from Hendrick Buick GMC Cary!

Benefits of Hybrid Models

When you drive around Holly Springs in a hybrid car, the combustion engine and electric battery system under the hood work together to fuel your journey. By taking on part of the workload of moving your vehicle, the electric motor helps take the pressure off the combustion engine, letting you burn less fuel as you drive around town. In turn, the energy created by the gas engine charges the electric battery system, powering the motor as you drive. 

This feedback loop between the two systems leads to one of the biggest benefits of hybrid models: the battery is self-charging! This allows you to keep your current driving habits while still slashing your fuel consumption when you stop by the local gas station.

Benefits of Plug-In Hybrid Models

Plug-in hybrids are similar to hybrid models in that they have a combustion engine and an electric battery system. The biggest difference between hybrid and plug-in hybrid models is the size of the battery. Instead of a small battery that can be charged by a gas-powered engine, plug-in hybrid models have larger batteries that are treated as separate power sources. As such, your plug-in hybrid will require regular charging either at home in your Cary garage or on the go with local charging infrastructure. 

Though you’ll have to change your driving habits, plug-in hybrids use even less fuel than traditional hybrid models and even offer fully electric driving over short ranges! This allows you to take on your commute or weekend errands without wasting a drop of gas while still giving you the flexibility to head out of town on the gas tank for your next road trip. 

See the Difference Between Hybrid & Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles in Action at Hendrick Buick GMC Cary!

Want to continue your journey into electric vehicles? Get the latest information about electric and hybrid cars with Hendrick Buick GMC Cary! Our team is here to help you learn the differences between EV chargers and offer sneak peeks into the upcoming Buick and GMC electrified models. Have questions? Contact us! We’re happy to help you find the right electrified model at our Cary dealership.