What are the hybrid electric vehicles available?
2 Answers
Hybrid electric vehicles include: Corolla Hybrid, Kia K5 Hybrid, BYD Tang DM, Honda Accord Hybrid, Lexus ES300h, etc. Taking the 2020 Corolla Hybrid as an example, it belongs to the compact car category with body dimensions of: length 4635mm, width 1775mm, height 1470mm, and a wheelbase of 2700mm. The 2020 Corolla Hybrid features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear suspension. It is equipped with a 1.8L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 99PS, a maximum power of 73kW, and a maximum torque of 142Nm, paired with an electronic continuously variable transmission.
I've been driving a Toyota hybrid Corolla for three years. Currently, mainstream hybrid systems are divided into two categories. One type is the non-plug-in hybrid like Toyota and Honda, where the engine charges the battery, and the car mainly relies on the electric motor for starting and low-speed driving. For example, the Corolla hybrid only consumes 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers, with maintenance costs similar to regular cars. The other type is plug-in hybrids like BYD's DM-i, which have larger fuel tanks and batteries, allowing them to operate as pure electric vehicles for commutes under 60 kilometers, while using the engine to generate electricity for long-distance travel. The recently launched Li Xiang range-extender vehicles are also considered hybrids, but they rely solely on burning fuel to generate electricity to power the electric motor, making them quieter for city driving. Choosing which type depends on charging convenience. For those who frequently drive long distances, non-plug-in hybrids might be more worry-free.