Hybrid vs. Plug-In Hybrid

Have you seen gas prices? They aren’t lowering anytime soon. Luckily, a lot of automakers, like Dodge, RAM, Jeep, and Chrysler are producing more electrified vehicles like hybrid and plug-in hybrid models for Janesville drivers. If you’re comparing hybrid vs. plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars, trucks, or SUVs, we can help narrow your choices with the models on our lot. Learn more about the difference between hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles with this helpful guide from the staff at Susanville Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. 

Major Differences Between Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Cars

The most significant difference between hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles is that with plug-in hybrid models, you can drive on battery power alone for a certain amount of miles before the gasoline engine kicks in. The secondmajor difference between hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles is how the battery recharges. 

• Hybrids: With a conventional hybrid vehicle, the gasoline and electric motors work in concert with each other. The gasoline-powered engine keeps the medium-sized hybrid battery charged. The vehicle’s computer decides when to turn on the battery power, usually during city driving. The gasoline engine typically works during highway driving.

• Plug-In Hybrids: A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), as the name implies, has a larger battery. You’ll need to charge it through a 120-volt household outlet or a 240-volt charging unit in your Chester garage. Plug-in hybrids start each drive with electric power only. Then they switch to gas when the battery runs out completely.

Hybrid vs. Plug-in Hybrid: Benefits of Hybrid Models

A hybrid vehicle, like a Pacifica hybrid minivan, works very similar to driving a gas-powered vehicle in Standish. You’ll still fill up at gas stations but have much better fuel economy because the electric motor works when you’re at lower speeds or have shorter drives. When the gasoline engine is on, the turning motion of the wheels can turn a generator that recharges the hybrid battery. You will hardly notice the difference between the motor types as you drive because the computer automatically switches from one motor to the other.

Hybrid vs. Plug-in Hybrid: Benefits of Plug-In Hybrid Models

Plug-in hybrid vehicles also have a gasoline engine and electric motor. Rather than the vehicle automatically switching between gas and electric, a PHEV starts with electricity as you pull out of your Litchfield garage after a night of charging. Once the battery is fully drained, the internal combustion engine will take over until you recharge the battery.

This is what happens with a new Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. You can drive up to 25 miles on pure electricity and 470 miles of total range before you need to fill up at a gas station. Your miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) is 56, meaning you’ll travel as if you get 56 MPG with just gasoline when you drive the first 25 miles on electricity alone.

Test Drive a Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid for Sale at Susanville Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM

Now that you’re familiar with the differences between hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, we invite you to test drive one at Susanville Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM! Contact us or call 530-257-5092 to schedule a test drive with our team. We’d love to put a new hybrid in your Susanville garage.