As battery and electric powertrain technology continue to improve, so do the vehicles using this new technology. Manufacturers of the first hybrid and electric cars targeted a small segment of drivers looking to lower their carbon footprint and save money. Thus, the vehicles produced were efficient and practical. However, as popularity for the hybrid and EV market grew, demand for these vehicles to perform rose with it. Also, drivers wanted more comfort and convenience features found in traditional gas-powered cars.
Today, car manufacturers have listened to their customers and now have multiple hybrid and EV models tiers. Hybrid and electric vehicles offer luxurious interiors loaded with technology and come with performance features that deliver a spirited, fun-to-drive experience. In addition, the hybrid and EV market has grown to the point where several manufacturers plan to eliminate the gas powertrain within the next ten years.
If you find yourself part of the growing hybrid and EV tribe, how do you decide between the two? Well, at Koons Tysons Toyota, we understand the challenges these new technologies present to drivers looking to understand them. That’s why we created this assessment of hybrid and electric vehicles to help you make an informed decision.
What Is a Hybrid Powertrain?
Let’s start with the basics of what makes a hybrid powertrain. As the name suggests, a hybrid blends electric and gas technologies to power a vehicle. A hybrid powertrain has a traditional gas engine that uses an electric motor powered by a small battery to add horsepower. Your basic hybrid powertrain uses the power created from the gas engine to recharge the battery as you drive.
For instance, the new Toyota Corolla Hybrid uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors to put out a combined 121 horsepower. A lithium-ion battery powers the two electric motors and maintains a charge from energy created by the gas engine and regenerative braking.
What Is a Plug-in Hybrid Powertrain?
As you might have guessed, a plug-in hybrid plugs into an external power source to recharge the battery. A plug-in hybrid powertrain still uses gas and electricity to propel the vehicle, but the battery and electric motor play a much larger role in the equation. For starters, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) use a much larger battery than ordinary hybrids. You generally find a larger electric motor in a PHEV.
This larger battery and electric motor add significant horsepower and torque. In most cases, PHEVs can run in an all-electric mode, shutting down the gas engine completely. As a result, you save money on gasoline using only electricity. However, electric-only does have some limitations, particularly in driving range.
For instance, the Toyota Prius Prime with a full tank of gas and a fully charged battery has an impressive total driving range of 640 miles. In electric-only mode, the Prius Prime can drive 25 miles on a single charge. Since the average American drives 16 miles to work each way, you can significantly reduce your gas fuel expense with a PHEV. If your employer has a charging station at work, you can recharge during your workday and never have to use the gas powertrain, saving even more money.
What Is an Electric Vehicle Powertrain?
Again, the name says it all. An electric vehicle has no gasoline engine. Instead, it comes with one or more batteries and as many as three electric motors. Without the gas engine, you rely entirely on your batteries for power. Most EVs have a regenerative braking system that converts energy used from braking into electricity sent to the battery. However, this technology doesn’t supply enough electricity to recharge your batteries significantly. It helps extend your range, but that’s all.
Driving range has always been the biggest factor when considering an EV. As battery technology has improved, the driving range has lengthened accordingly. Today, all-electric vehicles can drive well over 200 miles on a single charge, with some reaching nearly 400 miles. Most experts believe in the next few years, EVs will top 500 miles of driving range.
Even at the low end, EVs can make the daily commute and then some without needing a charge. Moreover, with a growing charging station network, you can plan long trips without running out of power.
Home and Public Charging Stations
So, an electric vehicle must be recharged using an external power source. At home, you need a charging station. Typically, you get two charging options, a Level 2 fast-charging 240-volt outlet and a slower Level 1 120-volt outlet. Most PHEVs can charge just fine with a Level 1 charging station because they have smaller batteries, generally no more than 20 kWh.
An all-electric vehicle has multiple batteries that can reach as high as 100 kWh, making the Level 2 charging station more desirable. Level 2 charging can recharge batteries in 1-3 hours versus the Level 1 charging time of 6-10 hours.
In the Washington, D.C.-Virginia-Maryland area, you can find hundreds of public charging stations, many of which don’t cost a penny. Many businesses installed them as a courtesy to their customers. So now you can go out to your favorite restaurant or outlet mall and have your battery recharged while you eat or shop. There are thousands of public charging networks nationwide.
Which Powertrain Should You Choose?
The answer to this question boils down to your lifestyle and specific driving requirements. How far you need to travel in your daily commute and the occasional road trip must be considered. Many drivers still worry about EVs running out of power, which can happen if you don’t plan accordingly. Plug-in hybrids offer the best efficiency using only electricity while still providing you the ability to use gas power. With a gas station seemingly on every corner in metro areas, this gives drivers confidence.
At Koons Tysons Toyota, we understand the impact that hybrid and electric vehicle technology can have on your wallet and the environment. That’s why we stock an expansive inventory of hybrid and plug-in hybrid sedans and SUVs.
If you’re ready to lower your carbon footprint and raise your driving experience, we invite you to browse our inventory online. Then, when you’re ready for a personal demonstration of hybrid electric technology, you can stop by our dealership on Leesburg Pike in Vienna. One of our friendly, knowledgeable salespeople will show you the different hybrid models and let you take your favorite for a test drive.
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