What is the Difference Between Dual Hybrid e+ and Dual Hybrid?
2 Answers
Dual Hybrid is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), while Dual Hybrid e+ is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Below are the relevant details: The components of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) include an electric motor, power control unit, battery, and engine. The components of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) include an electric motor, power control unit, battery, engine, and charging equipment, which is essentially HEV with charging capability. The Dual Hybrid is equipped with an air conditioning system featuring a nanoe™ air purification and humidification system, Intelligent Assistant, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated seats, and a card-type key. The Dual Hybrid e+ is equipped with LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights, leather seats, smart key, cruise control, multifunction steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, front side airbags, curtain SRS airbags, tire pressure monitoring, and automatic air conditioning. Below is additional information on the differences between the two powertrain types: Hardware Differences: Plug-in hybrids have an additional charging system compared to hybrid electric vehicles, and the battery and electronic control systems in plug-in hybrids are more advanced. Driving Mode Differences: The hybrid system intervenes in various driving scenarios to provide greater torque output but cannot sustain long-distance pure electric driving. Plug-in hybrid vehicles typically offer 50-100 km of pure electric range, allowing them to be driven as pure electric vehicles or as conventional fuel-powered vehicles.
As a Corolla Hybrid owner for five years, I recently upgraded from the regular hybrid to the plug-in hybrid e+ version, and the differences are quite significant. The regular hybrid's battery relies solely on engine power and brake energy regeneration for charging, making it extremely fuel-efficient in traffic jams, typically maintaining around 4L/100km, but with a pure electric range of just 1-2 kilometers. The e+ version adds a charging port and features a battery ten times larger, enabling a pure electric range of about 70 kilometers. For my daily 30-kilometer commute, I hardly ever need to start the engine. However, the rear seats are slightly higher than the regular version, and the trunk space is somewhat smaller. Monthly charging costs me around 40 yuan in electricity, a huge saving compared to the previous 300 yuan in fuel expenses, plus the added benefit of green license plates, which exempt the car from traffic restrictions in big cities—a major perk. That said, the regular hybrid's advantage of not requiring charging stations is incomparable.
