With the increased attention toward both hybrids and EVs, more drivers are wondering how exactly they work. Here at MotorWorld Honda, our dealers and mechanics take pride in both selling a variety of Honda hybrid cars and EVs as well as educating local drivers on how exactly they work.

This is an overview of the hybrid car operation.

What Is a Hybrid Car? 

Put simply, a hybrid car combines at least one electric motor with a gasoline engine in order to move the car. This system recaptures energy via regenerative braking. In some instances, the electric motor does all the work, while in others, the gas engine takes the brunt, and in some cases, they work in tandem. As a result of this, less gasoline is burned and drivers get better fuel economy.

With hybrid cars, electricity is generated from a high-voltage battery pack that is replenished by capturing energy from deceleration that’s typically lost to heat generated by the brakes in conventional gasoline cars.

Types of Hybrid Vehicles 

Within the broad category of hybrid cars at our Honda dealership, there are smaller designations of hybrids. They include: 

• Parallel hybrid: The most common design of a hybrid car has electric motors and gasoline engine connected in a common transmission that blends the two power sources.
• Series hybrid: This type of hybrid car has the electric motor providing all the thrust. There is no physical mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels.
• Plug-in hybrid: Enhances the conventional hybrid concept with a much larger battery pack that can be fully recharged using an external electricity source.

Test-drive a hybrid Honda car from our large inventory here at MotorWorld Honda!