Do Hybrid Cars Use Electricity or Gasoline?
2 Answers
Hybrid cars, also known as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), are automobiles equipped with two power sources—a thermal power source (generated by a traditional gasoline or diesel engine) and an electric power source (battery and electric motor). Currently, there are three common types of hybrid vehicles on the market: 1. Conventional hybrid cars, which primarily rely on gasoline, with the electric motor providing auxiliary power. The high-voltage battery does not require external charging, as it is recharged using braking and downhill regenerative energy. 2. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which must be charged at charging stations when the battery is depleted and cannot be directly charged by the fuel engine. 3. Range-extended hybrid vehicles, where the electric motor provides the driving force to the wheels, while the engine still operates, consuming fuel. However, the engine is not used to provide direct power but rather to charge the high-voltage battery.
When driving a hybrid car, I noticed it uses both electricity and gasoline, depending on the driving conditions. In the city, during traffic jams or slow driving, it automatically switches to the battery, which is quiet and fuel-efficient. I charge it at home every night using my charging station, so I hardly need to refuel the next day. On the highway, especially when overtaking or going on long trips, the engine kicks in, providing power support with gasoline, resulting in significantly lower overall fuel consumption compared to conventional cars. Daily driving feels very flexible—no worries about charging hassles and saving on fuel costs. From my experience driving it for several months, the electric usage ratio is high for city commuting, saving about half the fuel cost; during trips, the gasoline assists to ensure sufficient power. The whole system is very smart, with almost no lag. Maintenance is also simple, with longer service intervals, making it more cost-effective overall.
