Hybrid vehicle

July 26, 2019September 21, 2023 Stephen Corby 45840 Views

Regular hybrid vehicles run purely on petrol or diesel but typically use a lot less of it. While they have an electric motor and a small battery pack, the batteries can’t be charged externally. Instead, the batteries are charged when the vehicles slows and the electric motor switches roles to temporarily become a generator. This effectively recycles energy that would normally be lost through heat in the brakes.

Toyota Prius cutaway diagram — The Toyota Prius set the template for hybrid vehicles, teaming a petrol engine with electric motors

Pros: Affordable and mainstream these days, halves fuel use, lots of options
Cons: Batteries consume space used for luggage or spare tyres, run purely on petrol or diesel
Ideal for: Anyone who wants to use less fuel
Examples: Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Lexus RX450h

Toyota hybrids including RAV4, Prius, Camry, Corolla, Prius C and Prius V

Stephen Corby

Stephen is a former editor of both Wheels and Top Gear Australia magazines and has been writing about cars since Henry Ford was a boy. Initially an EV sceptic, he has performed a 180-degree handbrake turn and is now a keen advocate for electrification and may even buy a Porsche Taycan one day, if he wins the lottery. Twice.