How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

Over the years, hybrid cars have become a common occurrence around Seattle and Tacoma. Offering many interested drivers a convenient and affordable ride, there’s much to consider. Yet at Universal Auto Group, we still get asked questions about hybrid cars.

Whether it’s “How do hybrid cars work?” or “What is a hybrid car and how does it work?,” we’ve gotten multiple questions about hybrid vehicles over the years. For those who are new to the world of hybrid cars and EVs and want to know how hybrid cars work, we’ve got a guide for that. Read on to learn more and consider scheduling an appointment at or online.

Parallel Hybrid vs. Series Hybrid Vehicles

No matter which hybrid car you consider for your Tacoma drives, they’re a great choice for improving your fuel economy. Yet when asking how hybrid cars work, we have to get under the hood.

So how do hybrid cars work? A hybrid vehicle will utilize two power sources, a traditional internal combustion engine and an electric battery. To those wondering how hybrid cars work, well both work in conjunction to minimize fuel consumption. There’s also two specific hybrid configurations, Parallel and Series.

Parallel Hybrid

When asking, “What is a hybrid car and how does it work?,” it’s important to discuss the various hybrid configurations available. 

Most hybrid vehicles available are Parallel Hybrids. Within these cars, the electric motors and the gasoline engine are connected to the transmission, whether it’s a manual, automatic, or CVT system. These work by blending both power sources together.

Series Hybrid

As we move through answering how do hybrid cars work, let’s move to Series Hybrids. Here, an electric motor is paired with a gasoline engine, yet only the electric motor is paired with the transmission. Within these vehicles, an electric motor is your only powersource and the gas engine operates as an electric motor generator.

How Do Hybrid Cars Work Compared to Plug-In Electric Vehicles?

In all this discussion, we should look at the difference between hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. Hybrid vehicles, as we’ve discussed, run on the combined power of a gasoline engine and electric battery. In contrast, electric vehicles will use electric power solely. In recent years, some automotive brands and makes have plug-in hybrids which blur the lines in comparing hybrids vs. EVs. Yet what do they offer? Let’s see below:

• Featuring increased battery packs, plug-in hybrid vehicles will last further on electric power alone.
• For short travels around Seattle, you might be able to use a plug-in hybrid as much as you drive an Electric vehicle, relying on 100% electric power during the day, while recharging at night.
• If you’re going on a longer road trip beyond your vehicle’s electric driving range, you might be able to fill up on gasoline, much like a conventional powertrain.
• Since they don’t rely entirely on electricity, Hybrid plug-in vehicles will take between 60 minutes and four hours to get fully charged.

Discover Hybrid Cars With Universal Auto Group in Tacoma

Now that you know more about hybrids, including how do hybrid cars work, why not experience one at Universal Auto Group? Check out our new vehicle specials and if your preferred hybrid car qualifies to save you some money. You can also check out our parts section and order parts for your vehicle when it’s time to replace them. We’re also making new posts on a variety of topics, including answering “Do electric cars have catalytic converters?” Find a greener way to drive with Universal Auto Group. See you shortly!