What is a hybrid car and what are the differences in savings compared to electric cars?

With the growing awareness of climate change and need In order to adopt greener solutions, hybrid and electric vehicles have gained popularity. However, the difference between these two types of cars is not always clear to us. general public.

In this market, vehicle brands all over the world are betting, begin to define certain rules and types of products that focus on different possibilitiessome lower consumption and others focused on assistance.

A hybrid vehicle is one that combines two energy sources for its operation. Usually, It consists of an internal combustion engine (powered by gasoline or diesel) and one or more electric motors that use energy stored in batteries.

“There will always be a gasoline engine that will have different uses, either to generate energy to move the vehicle or to generate energy to charge the battery,” explained Ariel Montenegro, President and CEO of Renault-Sofasa.

There are different types of hybrid vehicles depending on the type of interaction between the motors and the battery capacity:

• Light hybrids: in this type of vehicle, the electric motor functions only as a support for the internal combustion engine, without being able to operate the car independently. Montenegro clarified that in these cars, the electric motor “works as if it is connected to a heat engine” and the battery “helps in moments of greater fuel consumption, for example during acceleration.” In addition, this system makes it possible to switch off the internal combustion engine under certain circumstances, for example when the car is stopped at a traffic light, which improves fuel consumption.
• Complete hybrids: These vehicles have a larger battery that allows the electric motor to operate autonomously for short periods and distances, although the internal combustion engine remains the main engine. Montenegro pointed out that in these cars, “the battery allows the electric motor to run at 100% for a period of time. This electric range depends on the size of the battery and can cover between 1 and 4 kilometers before the internal combustion engine restarts.
• Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)– They are similar to full hybrids, but with one major difference: they can be recharged directly from the network. Montenegro explained that these cars “have practically the same technology as electric cars”, but they still depend on the internal combustion engine when the battery runs out. This type of hybrid offers more autonomy in electric mode and is recharged externally, which increases its cost compared to light or full hybrids.

The main difference between a hybrid car and an electric car is the energy source they use. Electric cars run exclusively on electricity, while hybrids alternate between an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

A significant advantage of electric cars is that they do not emit greenhouse gases during use, which makes them a zero-emission option. However, Montenegro stated that the global environmental impact of these cars must be assessed throughout their entire life cycle, because even if they don’t pollute during use, their production and the eventual disposal of the batteries can produce more emissions than traditional combustion vehicles.

He also pointed out that an electric car “has more or less a 60% reduction in emissions over its life cycle”.“It continues to be a very efficient vehicle and the most efficient today compared to a thermal vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.”

On the other hand, hybrid cars, although they emit less CO2 than traditional vehicles, are not completely emission-free. “There will always be gasoline, and when there is gasoline, it will generate emissions,” he said, making it clear that reducing emissions depends largely on the type of hybrid technology used.

Infrastructure for electric vehicles remains limited in Latin America, posing a challenge to mass adoption of the technology. The manager acknowledged that there is a significant lack of knowledge among consumers about the differences between electric cars and hybrids.and that the lack of charging stations is a common problem.

Another key point is the devaluation of hybrid cars. As a growing product, the vehicle can lose up to 40% of its value once it leaves the dealershipwhich is a big difference from the 30% traditional cars usually lose.

To attack this growing bet, Renault has launched a C-SUV with mild hybrid technology: the Arkana. A van that seeks to offer an affordable and efficient solution for consumers who want to reduce fuel consumption without being solely dependent on the electricity grid. This vehicle has an electric motor that allows it to assist and take over the steering instead of the combustion engine for one to four kilometers.

A technology with which improvements in fuel efficiency can be achieved without the need for external charging infrastructure, making it the choice for emerging markets such as Latin America.