The Difference Between Gas and Hybrid Vehicles

Traditionally, there were only gas and diesel vehicles on the road, but just as the times have changed, so has the automotive industry. The main difference between gas and hybrid cars is the way the engine functions. A hybrid car combines a gasoline-powered engine with an electric motor; a traditional vehicle gets its power from the engine only. In a hybrid, a complex system of electronic and mechanical controls manages the engine and motor to obtain the best efficiency for different driving conditions.

Vehicle Complexity

Hybrid cars depend on computerized controls that switch between the engine and motor, maintain battery charge, and perform many other complex tasks. For example, a system called regenerative braking uses the vehicle’s motion to generate electricity, which recharges the battery. When a hybrid stops at a traffic light, it turns the engine off temporarily to save fuel. On the other hand, modern gas-powered cars also have sophisticated electronic control systems. The basic components that are required to operate a gas-powered car are an internal combustion engine, a standard or automatic transmission, an alternator, a carburetor or fuel-injection system, spark plugs, a crankshaft, and a battery.

Fuel Efficiency

Not all hybrid vehicles have a goal of fuel efficiency; the LaFerrari sports car, for example, uses the engine/motor combination for high performance. Most hybrids, however, do capitalize on the electric motor’s energy efficiency to improve fuel economy—when the vehicle is running on the motor’s power, it consumes no fuel. According to consumer reports tests, most hybrid cars have better fuel economy than their gas-only counterparts; for example, the Honda Civic hybrid model rated 40 miles per gallon (MPG) versus the standard Civic’s 29 MPG, The Hyundai Sonata hybrid managed 33 MPG compared to the Sonata SE’s 27 MPG, and the Ford Fusion hybrid achieved 34 MPG against the SEL’s 24 MPG. Because of the absence of regenerative braking technology, gas cars consume more fuel if they are subject to braking and acceleration frequently, which is common on city roads

Tailpipe Emissions

A typical hybrid car produces 90 percent fewer emissions compared to traditional models; while operating on the electric motor, the vehicle has no emissions at all. In addition, hybrids tend to rely mostly on the motor in slow traffic, reducing emissions in high-congestion, stop-and-go conditions.

Purchase Price

Due to their greater complexity and the relatively high cost of rechargeable batteries, hybrid cars command a premium of at least a few thousand dollars over their conventional counterparts in terms of initial purchase price. However, according to consumer reports, many (if not most) hybrids make up the price difference in about a year’s worth of driving due to money saved through fuel efficiency.

These are just a few of the major points to be considered for understanding hybrid cars versus their gas counterparts. The bottom line is that hybrid cars are more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than gas cars, but they are also more expensive. As a result, it is up to individuals to become informed consumers in order to choose a car that is right for them.

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