Are you in the market for used hybrid cars in Ontario? One of the most important things to know is that there are different types of hybrid technologies. They offer different advantages and disadvantages, and one type may be better suited to your driving style than another. Knowing the differences will help you find the right hybrid vehicle for your situation.
1000 Islands Toyota is your source for the best new and used Toyotas in Brockville and surrounding areas, combining a great selection with exceptional service. We want our customers to always drive off in the perfect car for their needs. So, let's talk about the different types of hybrids. The differences are significant!
Series hybrids are actually the oldest form of hybrid, with their roots going back to experiments in electric vehicles over 100 years ago.
In short, series hybrids are fully electric powered. The gasoline engine does not power the wheels at all and isn't even hooked up to the drivetrain. Instead, the gasoline "engine" is actually just a generator. The car runs off its battery, and when the battery is low, the gas engine powers up to convert gasoline into electricity for the battery.
One big advantage to this setup is the excellent fuel efficiency it brings. The gas engine doesn't need to operate across a wide spectrum of RPMs. Instead, it can be tuned for maximum performance within the very specific power range needed to generate electricity. For example, this completely eliminates the huge difference in gasoline used when driving uphill vs downhill in a conventional gas-powered vehicle.
Plus, of course, series hybrids never need to be plugged in.
However, the tradeoff is that the vehicle is entirely reliant on electric power, which arguably eliminates one of the best aspects of other types of hybrids.
Parallel hybrids, sometimes also called Hybrid Synergy Drives, utilize both gasoline and electric power to make the vehicle run.
These hybrids will alternate between gas and electricity depending on the driving situation, looking to maximize efficiency while bringing the best benefits of both power systems. For example, the gasoline motor can kick into high gear when you need a burst of acceleration while merging onto the highway, then settle down and let the electric motors keep you coasting once you're at speed.
Parallel hybrids can be extremely energy-efficient because they're engineered to recapture lost energy, especially when braking. Brakes create a lot of heat energy while slowing you down, which is simply released into the air in a standard gasoline vehicle. However, parallel hybrids use a system called regenerative braking. This system captures the heat generated by the brakes, turning it into electricity. The electricity is then used to recharge the battery that powers the electric motors. So, they never need to be plugged in.
Regenerative braking makes parallel hybrids especially good for stop-and-go city driving, when you're constantly using the brakes.
Unlike series hybrids, which can be "dumb" vehicles, parallel hybrids rely on complicated computer systems to manage the power systems. This does make them more complex than series hybrids, but you get a smooth ride that is able to quickly adapt to virtually any driving situation while maintaining high energy efficiency.
Plug-in hybrids are a different form of parallel hybrid, which can also switch between gas and electric power as needed. The difference is that plug-in hybrids focus on using electric power as the main power source and treat the gasoline engine more like a backup system.
Plug-in hybrids do need to be plugged in, like a full electric vehicle, and in general they drive more like EVs than regular cars. However, unlike standard EVs, they also have a small gas tank and gasoline engine. The gas engine is used when you need extra power, or simply as a backup system should the electric battery run low.
So, plug-in hybrids will use very little gasoline under normal circumstances. However, the gas engine is always there if you need it.
Plug-ins are especially good for people who would like to buy an EV, but they live in an area without enough public charging stations in the area to reliably keep the battery topped up. They can also be useful if you have highly variable driving habits, driving 20 miles one day and 200 miles the next. This would ensure you always have power onboard for your trip, no matter how far you're going or where you're going.
Since 1980, 1000 Islands Toyota has proudly served Brockville and surrounding areas. We feature an extensive selection of both new and used Toyota vehicles, combined with some of the best customer service you'll find anywhere. Our used hybrid cars are fully Toyota-certified and backed by a warranty, plus we always provide a CarProof report detailing the history of the vehicle. So, you can always feel secure purchasing used vehicles at 1000 Islands Toyota.
Interested in test-driving a hybrid Toyota for yourself? Contact us to schedule an appointment or just come by our lot any time.