Hybrid Cars Aren’t Sluggish Anymore
Once seen a paltry on the speed front, hybrids are now packing more horsepower and getting faster acceleration than many of their gas counterparts.
Written by Preston Charles
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The image of the
hybrid
slowly puttering up the on-ramp or crawling out of the red light is no longer an accurate depiction of the fuel-saver vehicles. With the creation of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), both mpg and acceleration are expanded. As we see massive strides in EV technology, utilizing that progress and combining it with an internal combustion engine (ICE),
plug-in hybrids
might just be the best of both worlds. Why are hybrid cars faster than they were before?
With traditional gas-powered engines, a torque curve is used as the engine revs up and it begins to accelerate. Plug-in hybrids; however, use technology that is identical to EVs, where that torque curve is essentially a flat line, offering immediate power to the wheelbase. Hitting the gas is like flipping a light switch.
According to
Kelly Blue Book
, car companies have also started packing in more horsepower in their conventional hybrid models compared to their gas counterparts. For example, the Honda CR-V hybrid packs 212 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque compared to 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque in their gas-powered CR-V. One of the main reasons for this improvement in power output with conventional hybrids is that many of them, CR-V included, utilize twin electric motors; one at the front wheels and one at the rear wheels. Both sets of wheels are simultaneously hit with power, and off they go.
MORE: Toyota Has the Best Used Hybrids
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Conventional hybrid cars are giving way to plug-in hybirds
While the conventional hybrid became a mainstay over a decade ago by the massive popularity of cars like the
Toyota Prius
, plug-in hybrids do seem to be the future as far as the hybrid conversation goes. EV owners might say that fully electric is the future, but that’s another topic!Plug-ins allow you to operate on electricity alone for about 25-40 miles depending on the make and model you go with. If you’re driving consists primarily of shorter, around-town commutes, you could exist solely on electricity, making a tank of gas last a long time. PHEVs also give you that instant torque mentioned above, so the acceleration is going to be large.
Conventional hybrids alternate between electric and gas on their own accord, thus allowing you to go further on one tank. But, you’re never in a full electric mode so you’re still forever dependent on the gas pump.
Supercars, hybrid edition
An impressive trifecta of hybrid supercars was introduced about a decade ago with the McLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder, and the Ferrari La Ferrari.
The McLaren and Porsche were both plug-ins getting 19 miles and 12 miles respectively. The Ferrari La Ferrari utilized KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) for temporary bursts of additional power.
Since these first three paved the way, Ferrari has rolled out its SF90 with three electric motors tethered to a V8 for a whopping 1040 hp. Lamborghini has also got in on the fun with their Sián FKP 37 which packs a hybrid V12 under the hood.
Car insurance for hybrids and gas-powered alike
Whether you’re plugging in at night, alternating between power sources, or just going straight gas, you’re going to want solid
car insurance
coverage for your vehicle. Super app, Jerry
, can get you tons of competitive quotes available in your area in a matter of minutes. As a licensed broker, Jerry will even do the mind-numbing paperwork involved in switching plans. Change now and start saving!
4.7
.jpg&w=64&q=75){kind=avatar}
