What makes a vehicle a hybrid?

The term ‘hybrid’ is used quite frequently, but some manufacturers tend to use it to describe something that isn’t quite a hybrid.

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Not only this, but a plethora of different names are thrown around: plug-in hybrid, full-hybrid, closed-loop hybrid, mild-hybrid, electric-assisted power, ICE-generated power, e-power, and many more.

What do these all mean? We run through all the different variables to consider before pressing the go button on your new car.

What is a hybrid vehicle?

In its simplest form, a hybrid vehicle is a combination of two types of propulsion systems, typically an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor with a battery.

In terms of history, hybrid vehicle technology started back in 1900 with Ferdinand Porsche building a prototype.

He called it the Lohner-Porsche Mixte and it used a petrol-powered engine to generate electricity for the electric motor at the front wheels. Around 300 were made, which is enough to crown the Porsche as the first hybrid car ever. Keep in mind how spectacular that is, considering the first real mass-produced car, the Ford Model T, began production in 1908.

But the real first mass-produced hybrid car was the Toyota Prius, which was launched in 1997.

Since that first mass-produced hybrid system, we have gained a number of different types of systems over the years.

Full-hybrid/closed-loop

The full-hybrid, also known as closed-loop or self-charging, is the most historic mass-produced hybrid system used to power the first Prius back in 1997.

Unlike a plug-in hybrid, the system is contained and charged entirely by the petrol engine and car movement through ‘regeneration’.

Think of it like a windmill. As the wheels turn, it generates electricity. When you come off the throttle, that rolling resistance, where no internal combustion power is used, is then turned into electricity.

It is more of a ‘get in the car and drive’ solution to hybrid systems, focusing on harnessing the lost energy when the car is rolling and using that to cut down on fuel useage rather than having copious amounts of electric-only range.

It assists in getting the car moving from a stop, allowing for longer gearing on the ICE. This means the petrol engine can run at lower revolutions per minute (RPM), and less RPM means less fuel needed to move the car, which means more efficiency.

Typically, these cars will only have an electric-only driving range of between 1–5km, but think of it as a way for the electric system to complement the internal combustion engine, not replace it.

The system was popularised by Toyota. It is still the brand’s preferred set-up for Australia and can be found in much of its hybrid vehicle range.

Plug-in hybrid

Another form of hybrid power is what’s called a plug-in hybrid or PHEV. These vehicles have an electric motor and a petrol-powered motor that allow a car to drive on electric power alone, petrol power alone, or both together.

The plug-in part comes from the ability to charge the car externally when you aren’t driving.

Generally speaking, batteries in PHEV cars tend to be between 13kWh and 18kWh, offering around 40–60km of electric-only driving range. Once the electric driving range is depleted, a PHEV will operate much like a closed-loop hybrid.

Charging times vary greatly depending on battery size, vehicle, and charging outlet, but as a guide, Audi’s PHEVs (with 14.1kWh batteries) take two-and-a-half hours to fully charge on a 7.4kW AC charger or six-and-a-half hours on a regular home wall socket.

A PHEV would be the best choice for someone who wants to have some electric-only driving range but without the fear of running out of charge. We have seen the PHEV be popular with owners who live within a 40km drive of their workplace, meaning they can get to work, charge, and get home without ever using the internal combustion engine.

Mild-hybrid

The mild-hybrid can be a hot topic when discussing the different types of systems. This typically sees a small motor (typically 48-volt, but can be 12-volt or 24-volt) added to the powertrain to assist the internal combustion engine.

Like other hybrid systems, the car collects potential lost energy, but instead of converting that into propulsion power, it runs things like the air conditioning, internal electrics and starter.

Things like the air-conditioning compressor and alternator (used to power the car and charge the battery) eat into your fuel economy since they run off a belt on the engine.

What car manufacturers will call a mild-hybrid, the Drive team does not consider to be a true hybrid system. The term ‘hybrid’ means two forms of propulsion, and for the most part, this system cannot run independently on the electric system.

While you do see a mild increase in fuel economy, and it can occasionally provide a boost to get the car moving, it doesn’t really fall into the hybrid category and can often confuse buyers looking to make an eco-conscious choice.

Extended-range electric vehicles

Another type of vehicle that isn’t exactly a hybrid is what’s best described as a petrol-generated EV. Brands have different names for this sort of technology: Nissan has e-POWER, BMW has REX, and Chevrolet has E-REV.

The idea is that a very small petrol engine under the bonnet does not drive any of the wheels. Instead, it works as a generator to charge the batteries, and the car is driven solely off electric power.

Nissan is the only brand currently in Australia that uses this type of technology. While BMW and GM did allow the vehicles to be plugged in for charging, Nissan charges solely from the petrol engine and regeneration.

It’s not exactly a hybrid. Think of it this way: If you have an electric circular saw on a job site, but you’re powering it off a petrol generator, it doesn’t then make the saw a hybrid, as it’s still being powered by electricity.

This technology is becoming less popular as range anxiety is beginning to be squashed with the development of EVs with more driving range and the installation of more chargers, but it is a good stepping stone for people looking to get into an electric vehicle.

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