What are the two main types of hybrid vehicles?

12 minute read Published on Jul 25, 2024 by BrokerLink Communications

If you’re thinking of buying a hybrid car, then you have a lot to consider. For example, you will need to decide what type of hybrid vehicle you want to buy, as well as what hybrid car insurance is right for you. To learn more about both, keep reading.

What is a hybrid car?

Before we dive into the different types of hybrid cars on the market today, we’re first going to explain what a hybrid car is. Many people like to compare hybrid vs gas cars and hybrid vs electric cars. The reality is that hybrid vehicles are a mix between the two - hence the name.

Hybrids utilize two unique driving technologies - an electric motor, which is run by an electric car battery, and an internal combustion engine, which runs on gas.

A few distinctive features of hybrid cars are their regenerative braking systems, which work to recharge the electric car battery inside of them. A regenerative braking system works as follows: the system uses the heat that is generated from regular friction braking and distributes that energy to the battery rather than wasting it. Due to this advanced system, hybrid vehicles don't consume nearly as much gas as regular vehicles, even when they are running on an internal combustion engine.

This translates to fewer emissions and can also save drivers money at the gas station. That said, hybrid vehicles are generally more expensive than gas-powered cars, which is one of the disadvantages of hybrid cars. Hybrid and electric car maintenance usually costs less in the long run, though. Plus, the federal government of Canada, along with several municipal and provincial governments, offer incentives to drivers that make owning a hybrid car cheaper.

Overall, a hybrid might be a great choice for a driver who wants to reduce their carbon emissions but has only ever driven gas-powered cars up to this point. Unlike with a full-electric car, you don’t have to be as worried about how far the electric car can go since the vehicle also contains a combustion engine that will take over should the electric motor run out of battery.

Two types of hybrid cars

Now that you know what a hybrid car is, let’s dive into the two main types of hybrid vehicles. Hybrid cars typically fall into one of two categories: conventional hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

On a spectrum where gas cars are at one end, and electric cars are at the other, hybrid cars typically hover somewhere in the middle. However, more specifically, conventional hybrid electric vehicles are closer to gas cars, whereas plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are closer to electric cars. We will explore both categories in detail below:

Conventional hybrid vehicles (HEVs)

What makes a conventional hybrid electric vehicle? HEVs do not contain an external plug, which means that they solely rely on the car’s internal systems, mainly its regenerative braking system - to charge the electric vehicle battery that they contain. This is part of the reason that the electric car batteries in HEVs are relatively small, especially when compared to those in all-electric vehicles. It is also the reason that HEVs are closer to gas-powered cars than electric cars. Since the electric motor is only charged through regenerative braking, it is not as powerful and, therefore, isn’t in use nearly as often as it would be in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or a fully electric vehicle. Therefore, HEVs rely far more on their internal combustion engines than their electric motors. A few other defining features of conventional hybrid vehicles are as follows:

HEVs are typically cheaper than plug-in hybrids due to their smaller electric car batteries.
HEVs do not require external charging, which means that owners will not need to install electric car chargers in their homes or make use of public chargers, which can be expensive and hard to find depending on where you live.
HEVs contain bigger gas tanks than PHEVs, which might be more convenient depending on where you live and drive most frequently.
Due to the regenerative braking system, HEVs offer excellent fuel efficiency, especially in busy traffic, when compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles.
HEVs typically cannot run solely on the electric motor.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs)

Plug-in hybrid vehicles, or PHEVs, are the second type of hybrid vehicle that you should know about before purchasing a new car. A PHEV is a very fuel-efficient car that contains two types of engines. However, unlike HEVs, which are closer to gas cars, PHEVs are closer to electric cars. They have an external plug through which owners can charge the electric car batteries in their PHEVs. As such, the electric motor is much larger in PHEVs than in HEVs.

That said, like HEVs, PHEVs can also charge their car batteries using the vehicle’s internal system. A few other defining characteristics of plug-in hybrid electric cars are as follows:

PHEVs can run on both gas and electric simultaneously, which is known as “blended” mode. However, they can also run solely on their electric motors, which most HEVs cannot do. On average, plug-in hybrid cars can run on their electric batteries alone for 20 to 40 miles at a time.
PHEVs are typically more expensive than HEVs because they have large electric car batteries, and EV batteries are very expensive. That said, many governments in Canada offer rebates and incentives to those who purchase PHEVs.
Due to the size of plug-in hybrid car batteries, owners might need to charge their cars at a public charging station or at home using an at-home charging station. Charging is one of several hidden costs of owning an electric car.

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The pros and cons of hybrid cars

If you aren’t sure that you want to buy a hybrid car at all, let alone what type of hybrid car to buy, read through the list of pros and cons below. The following list can help you decide whether driving any type of hybrid car is right for you:

Hybrid vehicle pros

We'll outline the benefits of hybrid vehicles below:

Hybrid cars have better fuel economy than gas cars

Since hybrid cars partially run on electric motors, they do not consume nearly as much gas as gas-powered cars. This translates to a better fuel economy and less money spent at gas stations. Plus, your carbon footprint will be lower since your car will be able to travel the same distance on less gas.

Hybrid cars emit fewer pollutants due to the electric motor

A second pro of hybrid vehicles is that they emit fewer pollutants than gas-powered vehicles. This is due to their limited gas consumption. In a plug-in hybrid vehicle, for example, the car’s internal combustion engine only runs a small amount of the time. PHEVs primarily run using the electric motor they contain.

Hybrid cars come with discounts

You can save money on your hybrid car simply by buying one. The Federal Government of Canada is trying to encourage drivers to go green, and in an effort to do this, they now offer rebates to residents who purchase hybrid cars. It’s the same for electric cars. If you can provide proof that you purchased a hybrid car, you might be eligible for a tax rebate. Be sure to research other incentives that might be available to you, as both provincial and municipal governments across Canada also have their own hybrid and electric car rebate programs.

Hybrid cars have greater horsepower

Since hybrid cars are unique in that they contain two engines, they often feature greater horsepower. In addition, handling, acceleration, and responsiveness are known to be better for hybrid cars, as well.

Hybrid vehicle cons

However, hybrid vehicles also come with disadvantages, which we will cover below:

Hybrid vehicles are usually more expensive than gas vehicles

One downside of hybrid cars is that they tend to be more expensive than gas cars. This is because they contain two engines and electric car batteries, which are more expensive than regular car batteries. As such, the cost of constructing, replacing, and repairing this type of car would be costlier, which is why the price tag is higher. The good news is that hybrid cars are becoming more common, with most major automakers now selling one or multiple hybrid models. Due to this, the average price of hybrid cars has gone down and may continue to do so as electric cars become commonplace.

Hybrid vehicles have compromised fuel economy when travelling on highways

Another drawback of hybrid cars is that while they sometimes offer better fuel economy, this only applies to certain roads. For example, if you frequently drive on urban streets with lots of traffic, including stop-and-go traffic, then hybrid vehicles are a great choice. Due to a hybrid’s regenerative braking system, the electric motor charges when the brakes are activated.

Thus, driving in heavy traffic is ideal because you are braking more often. In contrast, when you are travelling at high speeds or on highways when braking is more limited, hybrid vehicles become far less fuel efficient. In fact, some studies show that hybrids are not that much more fuel-efficient than gas cars on highways. That said, they will still emit fewer pollutants.

Hybrid car insurance may be more expensive

Hybrid car insurance plans typically cost more than car insurance for other types of cars. This is because cars are more expensive to repair and replace, and therefore, an insurance company will charge a higher premium for them. That said, if you buy a new hybrid vehicle with lots of safety features and a good reliability rating, the cost of your auto insurance premium may go down.

Keep in mind that there are ways to reduce your auto insurance rates if your premium is higher than you would like it to be. A BrokerLink insurance advisor can give a wide range of tips and advice to help you save money, including installing winter tires on your hybrid, adding an anti-theft device to it, signing up for a driver’s education course, or bundling policies by purchasing home insurance on top of your car insurance plan. Contact BrokerLink to learn more today.

Hybrid cars can become less efficient when driven in cold temperatures

It’s not a secret that the fuel efficiency of hybrid cars can become compromised when they are driven in cold temperatures. Specifically, when a hybrid is driven in cold weather, the internal combustion engine releases more energy. This can be a big problem if you live in a part of Canada that experiences extremely cold winters.

Hybrid vehicles may need to be charged at home

If you opt for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, then there’s a chance that you might need to install an electric vehicle charger in your home. This is due to the fact that PHEVs have larger electric motors. Depending on your driving habits, the car’s internal system may not be enough to charge the electric motor fully. As such, you may need to plug it in. While there are public charging stations in most cities, they might not be very convenient. Therefore, you could end up deciding to install an EV charger in your home. While more convenient, the cost of buying and installing an electric car charging station can be high, especially if the electrical in your home needs to be upgraded for it to work.

Hybrid vehicles have a shorter battery life than electric vehicles

Another disadvantage of hybrid vehicles is their short battery life. Compared to car batteries for gas vehicles, electric car batteries have much shorter lifespans. They are also more expensive to replace. Therefore, depending on how long you plan to own your hybrid, there is a chance that you might need to replace the battery at some point. Most auto manufacturers have electric car battery warranties of eight or ten years, so if your battery needs to be replaced in this timeframe, then the cost will likely be covered. However, if your car battery is no longer under warranty, then you could end up having to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a new hybrid car battery.

Hybrid cars may have more trouble getting serviced

Lastly, hybrid cars may have more issues when it comes to getting service. Since they are not the most popular type of car on the market, some auto body shops may not have any mechanics who are trained to service them. Further, even if you can easily find an auto body shop that will service your hybrid car, the cost of the service may be higher due to the increased complexity of the vehicle and its multiple engines.

A third option? Go all electric

Another option available to you is to forgo a hybrid car altogether in lieu of an electric car. If you’re already considering a hybrid, especially if you’re considering a plug-in hybrid, then an electric car isn’t all that different. Plus, there are several advantages that come with buying an electric car, such as:

Electric vehicles have zero emissions

Electric cars do not run on gas. They don’t even contain a gas tank. This translates to zero emissions. So, if you love the idea of reducing your carbon footprint by completely eliminating emissions from your car, an electric vehicle is a fantastic choice.

There are tons of different electric cars on the market today. However, one of the most popular EV brands is undoubtedly Tesla. If you want to receive free Tesla car insurance quotes, reach out to BrokerLink today.

You can get money from the government if you drive an electric car

A second perk of driving an electric car over a hybrid is that the government incentives are even greater for EVs in Canada. You can receive money back from the federal government, as well as some municipal and provincial governments if you buy an EV.

Electric vehicles are cheaper than ever before

While electric vehicles are still more expensive than the average gas-powered car or hybrid vehicle, they are cheaper than they’ve ever been. Now, you can purchase electric cars from all kinds of automakers, including Honda, Kia, Toyota, and more. Given how popular electric vehicles are becoming and the fact that automakers all across the world are getting on board, the odds are high that prices will be driven down and electric cars will only continue to be more affordable.

Electric cars save you time at the gas station

No one likes standing out in the cold pumping gas. With an EV, these days are gone. Since electric cars don’t rely on gas, you might never have to step foot into a gas station again. This saves you both time and money. Plus, even though you may have higher electricity bills due to your EV charging, it likely won’t come anywhere close to the cost of gas.

Auto insurance policies for both types of hybrid cars

No matter what type of hybrid car you decide to buy, you will need to purchase car insurance coverage to go with it.

In Ontario, car insurance plans for both plug-in hybrid electric cars and conventional hybrid electric cars must include the following four types of auto insurance:

Drivers must also carry no less than $200,000 in liability car insurance if they want to legally operate their vehicle in the province of Ontario.

In addition to the basic and compulsory coverage listed above, there are extra types of coverage that you can choose to add to your policy. These coverages vary between insurance providers but typically include:

Accident forgiveness coverage
Comprehensive car coverage
Collision car insurance
Loss of use coverage
Roadside assistance coverage
Waiver of depreciation

If you have questions about what type of hybrid car insurance you need, how much a policy will cost, or how you can save money on your auto insurance plan, reach out to BrokerLink today.

Get in touch with BrokerLink for more information on both types of hybrid vehicles

For more information on plug-in hybrid electric cars and conventional hybrid electric cars, contact BrokerLink today.

One of our licensed insurance brokers would be happy to explain the differences between these two types of hybrids, as well as offer advice on what types of insurance coverage you need. Here at BrokerLink, we specialize in tailor-made insurance solutions. Your dedicated broker can find a policy that meets your needs and protects your new hybrid car. Get in touch today to get started by requesting a free quote. All BrokerLink quotes are obligation-free and fully complimentary. They can be obtained online, in person, or over the phone.