What is a Hybrid Vehicle?
Hybrid cars, SUVs, and trucks have been around for longer than you may realize. They use two distinct types of power, typically through the combination of a regular gas engine and an electric motor. While a hybrid car uses gas, it also uses electricity through regenerative braking. This gives drivers the option to solely use electricity while driving for a short period.
How Do Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles Differ?
One main difference between hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles is how they keep their electric batteries charged. Standard hybrid vehicles use regenerative braking and gas engines to keep their batteries charged as they drive. In this sense, the gas engine is your main source of power. However, the opposite is true for the plug-in hybrid.
Plug-in hybrid models contain a larger battery that can hold a bigger charge which is mainly charged via your home outlet or a public charger. The gas engine is often considered backup power for a plug-in hybrid vehicle.