How do hybrids work

A common myth about hybrid cars is that the batteries are short-lived, and expensive to replace. But actually having to replace the batteries is extremely rare. Toyota sells the Prius with up to an year unlimited mileage warranty. And in , Consumer Reports tested a nine year old Prius with over , miles on the clock and found the battery performance was almost as good as new.

This is the money question: is buying a hybrid worth it? The car itself costs more to buy initially but saves money on running costs, and has a high resale value. The big saving is in running costs like fuel and car tax. Hybrids are most fuel efficient at city driving, with lower speeds and plenty of stopping in traffic. But if you drive mostly on motorways, a hybrid may not save you as much in fuel costs.

Check if you will save money by using the Honest John fuel cost calculator. Just input your mileage and car details and it will give you estimated running costs.

Hybrid vehicles are now available as all types and body styles, from saloons and city cars to SUVs and even sportscars. But choosing the best hybrid car for you depends on a lot of factors, including what kind of driving you do most of. If you live in a city or urban area and spend a lot of time sitting in traffic, a series hybrid is a good choice. Parallel hybrids are cheaper and better for those with lower budgets and low annual mileage.

Plug-in hybrids also suit people who live in an area with charging stations or have a short commute that can be done purely on battery power. Browse new cars with our pick of the 10 best hybrids. Thinking of switching to hybrid power? Your settings will take affect when you refresh the page or move to a new page. Find out more about cookies. Welcome to Jardine Motors Group. To optimise your experience, cookie settings on the website are set to allow all cookies.

By continuing your journey throughout the website, you consent to this. You can change these settings here request. The UK is one of the fastest-growing markets for low-emission vehicles. Transmission type and the size of the gasoline engine are the main factors that determine how a parallel hybrid will accelerate, sound, and feel. In this design, the electric motor s provides all the thrust, and there is never a physical mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels. The gasoline engine is just there to recharge the battery.

This results in a driving experience that's more indicative of an electric car, with smoother, powerful acceleration. There's typically less vibration when the gasoline engine engages. However, that engagement doesn't always happen in concert with what your right foot is doing remember, the battery is making the demands , so the engine might be revving up while the car is cruising at a steady speed. Some find this behavior disconcerting. The BMW i3 with the range extender is an example of a series hybrid.

A plug-in hybrid enhances the conventional hybrid concept with a much larger battery pack that, like an electric car's, must be fully recharged using an external electricity source—from your home, office, or public charging station. This greater amount of energy storage is like a larger gas tank: It allows for extended all-electric driving between 15 and 55 miles depending on the model and can significantly reduce fuel consumption.

In fact, if you have a short commute and recharge nightly, you'll be running on electricity most of the time. Find Your Vehicle Close. Search By Keyword Search:. Saved Vehicles Close. Look for this link on your favorites: Save. Share This Close. Choose How To Share: share-via-facebook share-via-twitter share-via-linkedin share-via-email share-via-sms text.

Contact Us Close. Today's Hours: Open Today! Sales: ampm Open Today! On the open road, the petrol engine takes over for efficient high-speed driving. Enjoy a smoother drive as state-of-the-art technology delivers controlled braking and smarter automatic gear changes. Enhanced drive power, combined with a stronger pull at lower revs, means you can enjoy your Hybrid on any road, anywhere. Our Hybrid batteries are smart, robust and backed by decades of research, expertise and high-quality Toyota engineering.

When you return your old Hybrid battery and purchase a new one, we will recycle it and give you a cash rebate. Every new Toyota Hybrid battery [W1] bought after 1 January is protected by a maximum year unlimited kilometre warranty, as long as you undertake your annual inspection according to Toyota specifications.

Book a test drive with your preferred dealer and take your driving experience to the next level with Hybrid performance. Toyota Hybrids The best of both worlds.