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Low-emission vehicles have been increasing in popularity over the last decade, but did you know there are different types of hybrid cars? Full-hybrid vehicles (HEVs), plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs) and mild-hybrid cars (MHEVs) all use a combination of engines and electric motors, but each set-up works differently.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at mild-hybrid vehicles — cars powered by an engine with a small battery to improve efficiency and driving experience. Find out more about mild-hybrid cars, their advantages and disadvantages, and whether they’d be a good choice for you.
A mild-hybrid car combines a small electric motor with a traditional internal combustion engine — typically a small electric generator and a lithium-ion battery.
Mild hybrids can’t drive on electric power alone like plug-in hybrid cars — instead, the motor assists the engine. This improves acceleration for added torque and enhances fuel efficiency.
Mild hybrids use regenerative braking, storing energy lost through braking in a small battery. When an MHEV stops, the engine automatically shuts off to conserve fuel, known as the stop-start system. It’s said that a car with mild-hybrid technology is around 15% more efficient than a conventional engine-powered car.
So why should you choose a mild-hybrid car? Here are some of the benefits:
Mild-hybrid electric vehicles have a small electric motor that assists the internal combustion engine. This improves fuel efficiency so you can use less petrol or diesel, especially in stop-start traffic.
Mild-hybrid engines reduce emissions while driving by taking the strain off the internal combustion engine. This results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions being released into the atmosphere. The stop-start system turns off the engine, cutting emissions when you’re in traffic.
Because mild-hybrid cars have a small electric motor working alongside the engine, they have better fuel efficiency than a regular petrol car. They can travel further with the same amount of fuel, boosting efficiency by around 15%.
MHEVs do not require external charging. The battery is charged through regenerative braking, making them a convenient option. You won’t have to worry about range or stopping to recharge on longer journeys.
Mild-hybrid driving feels smoother and more responsive for a more enjoyable time on the road. The electric motor that assists the engine during acceleration makes the car quieter and the engine restarts smoother and less noticeably.
You can’t drive fully electric with mild-hybrid vehicles. The electric motor is used alongside the engine but you can’t drive on electricity alone, due to the size of the battery. This impacts fuel savings and means you won’t save as much as you would with a HEV or a plug-in hybrid like the BYD SEAL U-DM-i.
MHEVs produce lower emissions than traditional ICE vehicles. However, there is still an environmental impact as they’re not completely emission-free like pure-electric cars. Because they don’t give you the option to drive fully electric, they produce more emissions than other types of vehicles, including HEVs and PHEVs.
You can’t drive an MHEV in fully electric mode, so you won’t save as much as you would with PHEVs and HEVs. If you’re looking to reduce the amount you spend on fuel each month, choosing a hybrid that allows you to drive fully electric — even over a short distance — would be a better choice.
There are a few factors to consider before deciding whether a mild-hybrid car is right for you. These include:
Choosing a mild-hybrid car is a step towards improving fuel efficiency — allowing you to reduce emissions without the commitment of going fully electric. MHEVs are an affordable and accessible way to enjoy hybrid technology.
If you’d like to compare your options, explore our range of hybrid cars, or find out more about our electric cars to help you decide. Want to know more? Find out about how a hybrid car works in our electric and hybrid guide hubs.
