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Buyers have more options in used vehicles than ever before. Which is right for you?
Alongside traditional gasoline-powered cars and full Electric Vehicles, another sometimes-overlooked option would be used hybrid cars. Hybrids are a midpoint between the two other types of vehicle power systems, blending elements of both Internal-Combustion Engines (ICE) and Electric Vehicles (EVs).
This gives hybrid cars some distinct advantages over other options, although they aren't for everyone. So, we wanted to go over the basics of used hybrid cars: how they work, what types are available, and who might consider buying one.
Simply put, a hybrid car is one that includes both gasoline and electric power sources, switching between them while looking to lower overall fuel consumption.
In most hybrid cars, the gas engine is their primary power source, so they're closer to ICE vehicles in that respect. The electric motors on the wheels are tied to a small battery, which is recharged while the vehicle is in operation. These motors are used to lighten the load on the gasoline engine.
This can result in significant fuel savings compared to cars that run on gasoline alone. The savings are especially noticeable on long highway drives with minimal speed changes. In the long run, you will likely spend much less on gasoline with a hybrid car.
Regenerative braking is the system that allows hybrids to continually recharge their batteries without needing to plug them in.
The batteries used in hybrids are typically quite small, around 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh). This is only 1-2% of the capacity of an EV's battery. So they will drain relatively quickly. Fortunately, they can be recharged by capturing energy which would otherwise be lost while braking.
Braking is a wasteful process in terms of energy. In traditional braking systems, mechanical brake pads clamp down on the wheels, slowing them down through friction. This generates heat, which is wasted energy. Regenerative braking takes a different approach, reversing the electric motor to slow down and allowing it to use that kinetic energy to generate electricity and recharge itself.
In other words, a hybrid electric motor is also an electric generator, depending on which way the motor is spinning.
To be clear, hybrids do typically still have traditional brakes and brake pads. However, the onboard computer system tries to avoid wasteful friction-braking except when necessary. This allows them to capture a lot of energy that would otherwise be lost and contributes to their high fuel efficiency.
"Hybrid" is a blanket term that covers several different types of vehicle powertrain designs. If you're thinking about buying a used hybrid car, you'll need to consider which exact style of hybrid is the best option for you.
Parallel hybrids are the most common and popular type of hybrid. They're referred to as 'parallel' because both the gas engine and electric motors can be engaged at the same time, although they are not always running simultaneously. The onboard computer is constantly monitoring speed, fuel use, and driver behavior while seeking to maximize fuel efficiency.
This allows parallel hybrids to make very smart decisions about how to allocate power. When starting from a full stop, they'll typically rely on the electric motor for the initial power surge, because electric motors have better torque, and then switch over to the gas engine to provide the rest of the acceleration. However, once you've hit cruising speed, they switch back to the electric motors to maintain that speed.
Series hybrids take a very different approach. The wheels are always powered by electric motors at all times. The gas engine doesn't power the vehicle directly; instead, it functions as an electric generator feeding power to the motors.
The upshot of this approach is that series hybrids offer exceptionally smooth and seamless power delivery. They feel more like EVs when in motion. The downside is that converting gasoline into electricity directly introduces some inefficiencies into the system, although their gas mileage is still far superior to that of traditional ICE vehicles.
Toyota has always been one of the market leaders in hybrids, beginning with the Prius, the first commercially popular hybrid on the road. So it's no surprise that Toyota has its own "hybrid" hybrid approach. Toyota Hybrid Synergy mostly works like a parallel system, but also allows the gas engine to directly power the motors when there is excess energy. This allows Toyota hybrid cars to achieve even better fuel efficiency than most competitors.
Fuel-cell hybrids don't use gasoline at all. Instead, their power comes from hydrogen, which is combusted to produce electricity for the motors. In that respect, they are series hybrids.
Fuel-cell hybrids are fantastic from an environmental perspective. Hydrogen is plentiful, and the only emission from fuel cells is plain water. They also run just as quietly and smoothly as an EV. Unfortunately, fueling stations that provide hydrogen are still quite rare, so these are only a viable option if you know you'll have a source for fuel.
Plug-in hybrids take a totally different approach: rather than being gas-powered cars with extra electric motors, they are effectively Electric Vehicles that also include an ICE engine. They feature large batteries, more similar to EVs, and rely on them for primary power. Plug-in hybrids, as the name suggests, do need to be plugged in like EVs as well.
In the right circumstances, they can be a best-of-both-worlds compromise between EV and ICE. You get nearly all the environmental benefits of an EV, but also have the gas engine for longer trips, where you might not have electric power charging options. However, they are also typically the most expensive type of hybrid, due to the need for a much larger battery.
Hybrids aren't for everyone, but there are some people who could easily benefit from them.
...People living in the city. Hybrids excel at city driving. They lose far less power in start-and-stop traffic, since they rely on the electric motor for initial acceleration as well as recapturing energy from braking.
...People who drive long distances. The fuel savings will also be very noticeable during long drives, when they can really show off their high miles-per-gallon. You'll be making fewer stops along the way as well, compared to non-hybrids. You might even save a few dollars on road-trip snacks.
...People who look long-term. Hybrids are typically more expensive up-front, compared to ICE or EV options. However, you'll be spending less on fuel across the lifetime of the car, and they tend to hold their value extremely well. So you'll get more back when it's time to sell or trade in.
...People concerned about their environmental impact. While hybrids (aside from fuel-cell models) aren't as ecologically-friendly as full EVs, they're still far better than traditional ICE vehicles. You'll burn much less gas and contribute fewer emissions to the atmosphere.
...People without home charging. If installing an EV home charger isn't an option, such as for people renting an apartment, hybrids are easily the next-best choice after an EV.
Since 1980, 1000 Islands Toyota has been Brockville's top choice for new and used Toyota vehicles. We're a fully certified, licensed Toyota dealership, and we offer plenty of hybrid options for you to explore.
Our used hybrid cars are factory-certified pre-owned vehicles, refurbished to like-new standards - complete with a full Toyota warranty. If you're concerned about the history of any particular vehicle, we're happy to provide a full CarProof report for more information. CarProof reports are the most comprehensive in the industry and ensure you have all the facts before committing to a used vehicle.
At 1000 Islands Toyota, we pride ourselves on our exemplary service. That's what keeps our customers coming back, year after year. To experience it for yourself or arrange for a test drive, just contact us.