Cars with hybrid drive: different types in comparison

louder than noisy

November 27, 2024

What is a hybrid car?

From a technical point of view, cars with hybrid drives are a compromise between a classic combustion engine and an electric car: they are considered more economical and environmentally friendly than pure gasoline or diesel vehicles. Unlike a pure electric car, the range does not matter, as you can refuel the hybrid with petrol at any time. Hybrid cars differ in terms of drive. You can find out which types there are and how they affect range, consumption and sustainability in the guide.

A car with a hybrid drive combines two different drive and energy storage systems. This means that the hybrid car has a gasoline or diesel drive and an electric drive as well as a tank for fuel and one or more batteries. The combustion engine and the electric motor each show their advantages in order to achieve the highest possible efficiency.

Parallel vs. serial drive

Engineers first distinguish between vehicles with serial and parallel hybrid drives. In the serial hybrid, both drives are mounted one after the other. The combustion engine does not act on the wheels, but only drives a generator that generates electricity for the electric motor. Serial hybrid cars are also known as electric cars with a so-called range extender (more information on this in the e-car glossary). Here, too, a combustion engine is used to generate electricity for the battery.

The parallel hybrid drive combines both engines on a single drive train. These support each other during the journey by automatically using the optimal drive in each case. Some vehicles combine a serial and a parallel hybrid drive. Engineers then speak of a mixed hybrid or a power-split hybrid. Mixed hybrids are usually more powerful and more expensive than other types of hybrids, but they are still economical.

Advantages and disadvantages of cars with hybrid drive

Advantages of hybrid cars

consume less fuel than conventional combustion vehicles (depending on the strength of the electric motor and the size of the battery, savings of 15 to 25 percent are possible)
emit fewer pollutants such as CO₂ – for example in electric mode in the city
accelerate faster than pure diesel or gasoline vehicles
have low wear
very quiet in operation with the electric motor

Disadvantages of hybrid cars

more expensive to buy than cars with combustion engines
Battery life is limited, which increases costs
High vehicle weight with two engines leads to higher fuel consumption than a diesel vehicle
Less storage space, as the battery and two motors take up a lot of space
still dependent on fossil fuels

What types of hybrid cars are there?

Depending on the hybrid drive, the cars differ in how they work. Currently, three parallel hybrid drive types are common:

Mild hybrid drive

In a car with so-called mild hybrid technology, the electric motor only supports the combustion engine – for example, when you start the vehicle, when you overtake or accelerate. The energy generated during rolling and braking is stored in the comparatively small battery. Purely electric driving is not planned. With the new 48-volt technology, this is currently changing. In contrast to the conventional 12 volts, it is now also possible to park and manoeuvre electrically with the vehicle.

If the mild hybrid car stops or is idling, the combustion engine switches off and saves fuel. As soon as you release the brake or operate the clutch, it starts automatically. You can't charge a car with a mild hybrid drive yourself.

Advantages of the mild hybrid

Range: does not matter, as the drive is provided by the combustion engine
Costs: cheaper to purchase than other hybrid cars and pure electric vehicles

Disadvantages of the mild hybrid

Fuel consumption: low fuel savings
Sustainability: Pollutant emissions comparable to the combustion engine, as purely electric journeys are not possible

Full hybrid drive

A full hybrid car works similarly to a mild hybrid vehicle – with one difference: the battery is larger, so that the vehicle can drive fully electrically even for short distances without the combustion engine switching on.

Like the mild hybrid, the full hybrid does not draw the required electricity from the socket. The battery only charges while driving, for example during a descent or when you brake. The electric motor then acts as a generator and supplies the electricity to the battery, in which it is stored.

Advantages of the full hybrid

Consumption: Fuel savings in city traffic
Costs: cheaper to buy than a pure electric car
Sustainability: no pollutant emissions in electric operation in the city

Disadvantages of the full hybrid

Range: limited to a few kilometres with the electric motor (maximum speed often limited to 50 to 60 km/h with the electric motor)
Sustainability: only small savings potential for long-distance journeys

Plug-in hybrid drive

From a technical point of view, the plug-in hybrid is a further development of the full hybrid. The plug-in hybrid diesel is just as common as the plug-in hybrid petrol engine. What does plug-in hybrid mean? "Plug in" comes from English and translates as "plug in". This means that you can charge the batteries in a plug-in hybrid car via a plug at a household socket, a wallbox or at a fast charging station. The high-voltage battery is large enough that the vehicle sometimes runs only on an electric motor, thus saving petrol or diesel.

Advantages of the plug-in hybrid

Range: distances of up to 90 kilometres possible with the electric motor (at maximum speeds of up to 100 km/h)
Consumption: Fuel savings in city traffic
Sustainability: In cities, you can drive emission-free; this is particularly environmentally friendly if the highest possible proportion of electricity comes from renewable sources
Costs: state-subsidized and tax relief

Disadvantages of the plug-in hybrid

Costs: expensive to purchase
Sustainability: less efficient and environmentally friendly for long distances on motorways

What does a car with a hybrid drive consume?

Manufacturers often advertise the consumption of a plug-in hybrid with only two liters of fuel per 100 kilometers and point out the savings through the additional electric motor.

However, fuel consumption depends on how you use the vehicle. In urban areas, it can be reduced to zero. Here, the energy of the electric motor is sufficient to move the vehicle over short distances. On the other hand, the consumption of the hybrid is higher on long distances, because the combustion engine takes over on the motorway. And you should also be aware of this: Large, heavy hybrid cars consume more fuel and electricity than small models.

As a rule of thumb for the car with hybrid drive, the faster you drive, the more fuel it consumes. Without the addition of electricity, fuel consumption is no different from the classic combustion engine. You can only really save fuel if you drive with foresight, charge your car regularly and drive frequently in the city.

How much electricity does a plug-in hybrid consume?

No general information is possible here. Consumption depends on your personal driving style, whether you travel short distances or long distances and how often you charge the vehicle. Important: Charge the battery frequently to make the most of the electric drive.

What plug-in hybrid cars are there?

From sports cars to compact cars to SUVs – most manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Porsche, VW, Renault or Mercedes now offer a wide range of their vehicle models with hybrid drive.

Since hybrid vehicles are comparatively expensive, the state subsidizes the purchase of locally emission-free cars. For a plug-in hybrid, you will receive up to 4,500 euros from the federal government's premium pot. Prerequisite: The vehicle is listed as eligible for funding by the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) and meets certain emission conditions (in 2021, a maximum of 50 grams of CO₂ per kilometer driven or a range of 40 kilometers with a purely electric drive applies). In addition, you can benefit from tax advantages and apply for an E-license plate.

Frequently asked questions and answers about cars with hybrid drive

What is a plug-in hybrid?

A plug-in hybrid has a combustion engine and at least one electric motor that drives the car alone over shorter distances. You can charge the electric motor using a charging cable at a charging station or at home. If you are often on the road in regions with few charging stations, you can rely on the combustion engine. However, you will then need fuel again and the vehicle will produce exhaust fumes – at the expense of the environment.

Which is better: a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid?

When people talk about a hybrid car, they usually mean a full hybrid vehicle that generates energy for the electric motor through so-called recuperation (= recovery) during braking. The vehicle can only drive a few kilometers without a combustion engine. In contrast to full hybrids, plug-in hybrid vehicles have a much larger traction battery, which you charge from the outside using a power cable. With such cars, you can drive between 40 and 60 kilometers purely electrically. Therefore, under certain conditions, these vehicles are subsidized by the state like electric cars.

Which hybrid car has the longest range?

In this question, only the range of the electric motor is decisive. Plug-in hybrids have the longest range. In the newer vehicles, the ranges of the electric motor are getting longer and longer. Some sports models can now drive more than 100 kilometers without a combustion engine. These include, for example, the plug-in hybrid Polestar 1.

Is a full hybrid worth it?

If you want to drive your car mainly short distances in the city, but also go on holiday, a full hybrid car can be worthwhile for you. With a car with hybrid drive, you are also independent of the charging infrastructure in your holiday destination. The vehicle has a large fuel tank that you can fill at any time.

When does a plug-in hybrid become worthwhile?

A plug-in hybrid is interesting for commuters who charge the vehicle at home and at work. With the electric motor alone, you can cover an average of 70 to 90 kilometers. By comparison, with the common full hybrid models, you can travel about 60 kilometres purely electrically. If you can't make it to the next charging station, the combustion engine switches on. This gives you flexibility, but your car emits exhaust fumes as soon as the combustion engine takes over.