What does hybrid mean? Is it charging or refueling?
3 Answers
Currently, hybrid vehicles on the market are mild hybrids, which only require refueling. Plug-in Hybrid: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are a type of new energy vehicle that falls between pure electric vehicles and traditional fuel-powered cars. They feature both a conventional car's engine, transmission, drivetrain, fuel system, and fuel tank, as well as a battery that can be externally charged. Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV): Hybrid electric vehicles offer high fuel efficiency and superior driving performance. These vehicles use fuel for their engines, but with the assistance of an electric motor during startup and acceleration, fuel consumption is reduced. Simply put, compared to similarly sized conventional cars, they have lower fuel costs.
As someone who frequently commutes with a hybrid, the most convenient thing about it is the ability to use both energy sources. I can just refuel and go—a full tank gives me over 700 kilometers of range, completely eliminating the need to find charging stations. However, my car also has a plug-in port for charging. Plugging it in at night allows me to drive up to 60 kilometers purely on electric power the next day. The key benefit is cost savings. In traffic jams, the engine automatically shuts off, switching to electric motor drive, which drops fuel consumption from 8 liters to just over 4 liters per 100 km. Plus, there’s no range anxiety on long trips—just a five-minute stop at a gas station to refuel, and you’re good to go. That’s the real game-changer.
Hybrid cars eliminate the dilemma of choosing between charging or refueling - they're flexible dual-energy vehicles. I use electric mode daily for school runs, with community charging posts costing just 0.5 yuan per kWh. 20 yuan covers a week's commute. For weekend trips to my hometown, I simply refuel while the engine simultaneously charges the battery, eliminating range anxiety. The regenerative braking system during deceleration and downhill driving is particularly impressive, maintaining optimal battery levels. This ingenious eco-friendly design cuts operating costs by half compared to conventional gasoline vehicles.
