What is a Hybrid Car?

Drivers in Daytona Beach, Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, and beyond are gradually shifting toward more efficient vehicles. Many cars are becoming far more fuel efficient in response, but the inevitable conclusion to this trend seems to be alternative fuel sources for all automobiles.

During this transitional period, some cars will run both on gas and electric charge. Known as hybrids, they function as a stepping stone between traditional gas cars and alternatively fueled eco-friendly vehicles. Learn more about what a hybrid car is, and discover some of the best hybrid options available from Toyota.

Hybrid Car Basics

Put simply, a hybrid car is a vehicle with two different energy sources: electricity and gas. That means they all include a typical engine and battery alongside an electric motor. Not all hybrids are created equal, however, as three distinct types all work in slightly different ways.

• Parallel Hybrids: These were among the first and offer three ways to power your engine—you can use gas, electricity, or both at once. Fortunately, you don’t have to alternate between fuel sources yourself. The parallel hybrid’s computer will decide which to use based on your current speed and driving conditions.
• Range Extender Hybrids: When you’re behind the wheel of a range extender hybrid, your gas engine is never used to power the car directly. Instead, gas is used to produce energy for the electric motor which, in turn, powers your car.
• Plug-in Hybrids: These hybrids don’t rely on the gas engine to generate power for the electric motor. Instead, they can be plugged in directly. Think of these hybrids as the true halfway point between a gas car and a fully electric car. Once fully charged, these cars can travel for miles before using even a drop of gas.

Hybrid Car Benefits

The most obvious benefit of hybrid cars is that you’ll save quite a bit on gas, but that’s just the beginning. Most of these cars also have different settings you can alternate through if you feel like emphasizing performance on some drives. That means there’s no meaningful difference in terms of performance between a hybrid car and a traditional gas-powered car.

All your drives are also more eco-friendly when you drive a hybrid. Cars already add way too many pollutants to the air, and hybrid cars are a great way to reduce your footprint. You also never have to worry about getting stranded due to a depleted charge, since your hybrid will run as long as it has gas.

Toyota Hybrid Cars

If you’re looking to get your hands on a hybrid car, Toyota has plenty of options. The Toyota Prius has become a symbol for hybrid cars, since it was the first mass-produced, and that legacy continues today with a wide variety of Toyota models. For a more traditional-looking and accessible hybrid, the latest Camry model offers a hybrid version.

Toyota offers several hybrid models as well, like the Avalon. This luxury midsize sedan still comes with all the same great features you’d expect, alongside an eco-friendly partly electric engine. Branch outside the sedan class, and you can also get a hybrid RAV4 that’s perfect if you need a little extra space for your next adventure.

Find Your Next Hybrid Car

What is a hybrid car? It could be your next car after stopping by Daytona Toyota. We have all the latest and greatest hybrid Toyota models in stock, so you can find the one that fits you best to take around Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and Palm Coast. Visit us or get in touch today to learn more about everything our hybrid vehicles can offer you.