How does a plug-in hybrid vehicle work?
We have all been hearing a lot about plug-in hybrid vehicles over the last few years… but what are they exactly? How are they different from hybrids?
Longue Pointe Chrysler, your Jeep dealership in Montreal, close to Montreal North and Saint-Leonard, gives you more details about how plug-in hybrid vehicles work!
A plug-in hybrid: what is it exactly?
Just as its name indicates, a plug-in hybrid vehicle can be charged thanks to a public or domestic 240 V charging station, or even a 120 V domestic plug.
However, contrary to fully electric models that rely solely on electricity, a plug-in hybrid vehicle has a fuel engine coupled with one or more electric motors.
Plug-in hybrid vs hybrid: the difference
A hybrid model, though it offers better energy efficiency than a standard fuel model, cannot be plugged-in to charge. This means that the vehicle has a fuel engine coupled with a battery and a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, but it cannot run on electricity alone.
Depending on selected driving mode, these models consume less fuel than a fuel vehicle, but more than a plug-in model.
When it comes to a plug-in hybrid model, it also has a powertrain with a fuel engine, a battery and an electric motor. However, it can run over short distances by using electricity alone, especially when in urban mode, which makes your fuel consumption drop significantly.
How does a plug-in hybrid vehicle work?
A plug-in hybrid vehicle is a hybrid car that has a larger battery and a charging port. It is possible to drive over short distances of a few dozen kilometers by accessing the battery and electric motor alone, and when the battery levels are too low, it kicks back into a hybrid model.
How to charge a plug-in hybrid vehicle?
On the road or at home, you can plug your plug-in hybrid car for a few hours, and reach 100% charge on the battery. Moreover, it is also possible to recuperate a few kilometers of autonomy thanks to the regenerative braking system that charges the battery while you are driving.
How to drive a plug-in hybrid vehicle?
The same way as a standard fuel vehicle, with a few differences. If you wish to maximise energy efficiency, you will have to bring a few changes to your driving style like, for example, releasing the accelerator slightly once you've reached your cruising speed, or by anticipating braking so as to brake as gently as possible, ideally half the pedal capacity, which will allow you to accumulate even more energy.
Why purchase a plug-in hybrid car?
The main reason is, without a doubt, fuel economy! In fact, on certain models like the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid, you will have access to fuel consumption numbers as low as 2.9 Le/100 km when in fuel/electricity combined mode! In the case of the Wrangler 4xe, these numbers are 4.7 Le/100 km, which remains exceptional given its capacity.
Moreover, they can be accessible to government grants that can reach several thousands of dollars, which makes them even more interesting!
Finally, a plug-in hybrid vehicle is perfect for buyers who are looking for a vehicle that is very fuel efficient, without having the stress of your car braking down if your battery is empty, which could be the case with a fully electric model.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles for sale at Longue Pointe Chrysler in Montreal
Longue Pointe Chrysler currently offers two plug-in hybrid Jeep models: the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, without forgetting the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivan.
Other models are offered by Jeep Canada and will be made available in the months and years to come.
Conclusion
In short, a plug-in hybrid model is perfect for buyers who are not quite ready to purchase a fully electric model, but who wish to save significantly on fuel, without compromising on performance.
Come and visit us at Longue Pointe Chrysler in Montreal, close to Saint-Leonard and Montreal North to find out more about our plug-in hybrid models, our special offers and our financing options!