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Spitzer Toyota is home to a large Toyota hybrid inventory, so there’s a way for every type of driver in Murrysville to enjoy next-level efficiency. Whether you’re drawn to family-size models like the Highlander Hybrid or city-friendly options like the Corolla Hybrid, it’s waiting for you in Monroeville!
We’ve got just the guide for those asking themselves, “What is a hybrid car, anyway?” Learn more about the hybrid car meaning below to understand how hybrids work before you get behind the wheel of one. As you’ll learn, there are different types of hybrid cars, but the fundamental hybrid car definition is the same.
By the most basic definition, a hybrid car is any car with both an electric motor and a gasoline engine. But if you look beyond the fundamental hybrid car meaning, you’ll discover that different types of hybrids utilize the electric motor and gas engine in different ways. Explore the types of hybrid cars in the next section to learn which is best for your Irwin commutes.
We’ve touched on the general hybrid car definition. Now, what type of hybrid is best for your drives around North Huntingdon? Let’s find out!
Parallel hybrids are the most common hybrids on the Monroeville roads. The parallel hybrid car meaning is that the gas engine and electric motor both connect to the transmission, so the car uses both power sources at all times for forward motion.
In a series hybrid, the electric motor is connected to the transmission and is the primary source of power for the vehicle. It’s only when the battery is exhausted or running low that the gas engine kicks in like a generator, sending current to the battery so the vehicle can continue driving.
Finally, there’s the plug-in hybrid! The basic hybrid car meaning applies in that plug-in hybrids contain both a gas engine and an electric motor. Like the parallel hybrid, both power sources connect to the transmission. However, plug-in hybrids have larger battery packs, which enable the vehicle to use only the electric motor for a certain number of miles, called the electric range. And, unlike parallel or series hybrids, you need to plug this type of hybrid into an external outlet to recharge the battery (hence the name, “plug-in hybrid”).
The electric range on a plug-in hybrid is usually somewhat small, so it’s good for running errands or making a local commute. You can plug it into a household-style outlet at the end of each day to replenish the range. When embarking on a longer trip, you can use the gas engine instead! Toyota plug-in hybrids include options like the RAV4 Prime and the Prius Prime!
As a Toyota dealer, we’re your local experts on hybrid vehicles. Contact us if you have any lingering questions about the hybrid car definition or the difference between the types of hybrids. We’d love to show you around our hybrid inventory in Monroeville, so feel free to stop by when you’re in the area!
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