With sales of low-emission vehicles on the rise, it’s no surprise that more drivers are switching to hybrid cars. Hybrid cars are the best of both worlds, using an electric motor alongside an internal combustion engine for reduced emissions and less money spent on fuel. 

BYD’s range of hybrid cars uses the most innovative technology on the market and represents an evolution in plug-in hybrid technology. Find out more about hybrid cars, how they work and the benefits that come with them in our guide.

A hybrid car uses more than one power source — a petrol or diesel internal combustion engine and an electric motor. There are 3 main types of hybrid cars: mild hybrid (MHEV), hybrid cars (HEV) and plug-in electric cars (PHEV). Hybrid cars use regenerative braking to charge the battery and plug-in hybrid cars use an external charger. 

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars can be driven fully electric, switching to the internal combustion engine when the electric charge has depleted or if more power is needed. Hybrid cars have many benefits including fuel efficiency, longer combined range and smooth, quiet driving. 

A hybrid car uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor to power the car. Hybrid cars tend to run on the electric motor at lower speeds, drawing power from the internal battery. When driving at higher speeds, the internal combustion engine kicks in. 

Regenerative braking recharges the battery on the go, converting energy lost through braking into electrical energy stored in the battery. Plug-in hybrid cars are charged externally from a home or public charger.

While all hybrid cars combine fuel-powered engines and electric motors, there are different types of hybrid cars, so it helps to know the difference between each:

Mild hybrid (MHEV) 

Mild-hybrid electric vehicles, or MHEVs, don’t have any fully electric range. They use hybrid technology to support the combustion engine for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Mild-hybrid cars are different — they can’t run solely on electric power like hybrid and plug-in cars. 

Full hybrid (HEV) 

Full-hybrid electric vehicles, or HEVs, are powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that recharges using regenerative braking — they’re often described as self-charging. Fully hybrid cars cannot be charged externally, for example, with a home or public charger. HEVs can be driven on electric power, but the range will be less than with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid car. 

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) 

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, are powered by a petrol or diesel engine and an electric battery. They’re charged with an external charger like a wallbox and through regenerative braking. PHEV cars can drive a moderate distance using electricity, and when this is depleted, your plug-in hybrid will switch to its internal combustion engine. This distance is typically around 20-40 miles. BYD’s SEAL U DM-i can travel up to 78 miles on all-electric power. 

BYD’s SEAL U DM-i is a PHEV. It has a combined range of up to 671 miles and an all-electric range of 50 miles, increasing to 78 miles in some models. With BYD Super DM technology, drivers can take advantage of a range of benefits, including energy efficiency, low fuel consumption and driving performance. 

If you’re looking to switch to a hybrid car, it’s important to find out everything you need to know before deciding. There are a few common misconceptions about hybrid cars that we’ll debunk below: 

• Hybrid cars need to be plugged in when not driving: Firstly, only a plug-in hybrid will ever need to be plugged in. It only needs to be plugged in when you want to top up the electric range. How often you’ll need to top up will depend on how far you’re driving each day. Similarly, you don’t have to worry about stopping to top up on longer journeys, as the car will switch to the fuel engine when electricity has run out. 
  
  
  
• You can’t travel as far as you can in a fuel-powered car: The combined range is higher in hybrid cars. While electric charge can run out, that won’t stop you from travelling as the engine will kick in. 
  
  
  
• Hybrid car batteries need to be replaced often: Replacing a hybrid car battery is uncommon. They’re designed to last a long time, with most manufacturers offering a warranty on the battery. It’s unlikely you’ll have to replace your hybrid car battery — if you did, it would be after many years of use. BYD batteries come with a 10-year warranty, for example. 
  
  
  
• Hybrid cars are for city driving: While using a hybrid car to get around a city can be a good choice, they’re not solely made for this purpose. You can take advantage of hybrid-car benefits such as long and short-distance driving over a range of terrains. They can also handle towing for those heading off on adventures. 
  
  

Whether you want to reduce your carbon footprint or save money on fuel, hybrid cars are a great option. BYD manufactures market-leading technology including an electric hybrid system (EHS) and Super DM Technology with BYD’s bespoke Blade Battery for a hybrid driving experience unlike any other. Looking to compare your options? Explore BYD’s electric cars. Find out more about BYD models and technology in our electric car guides.