How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

Do high gas prices have you looking at hybrid cars like the Honda Accord Hybrid, like a lot of Mentor drivers? We don’t blame you. Hybrid cars often use significantly less gas than conventional gas-powered vehicles. But what is a hybrid car, and how does it work?

A hybrid car adds to its powertrain, an electric motor, which decreases the amount of work the gas engine has to do, thereby increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. How do hybrid cars work compared to electric vehicles? How does a Honda hybrid work? Let’s take a closer look at how hybrid cars work below.

What is a Hybrid Car, and How Does It Work?

We get lots of questions from curious Painesville car shoppers about how hybrid cars work. So, what is a hybrid car, and how does it work? A hybrid car uses both an electric motor and a gasoline combustion engine, meaning that the vehicle is powered by a blend of gasoline and electricity. How do hybrid cars work differently from electric vehicles (EVs)? Electric vehicles do not have gas-powered engines and are powered only by electric motors. Did you know that there are different types of hybrid vehicles?

How Hybrid Cars Work

• Series Hybrid – In this type of hybrid, power flows from the gas engine to the electric motor, which moves the wheels. This type of hybrid isn’t all that common anymore.
• Parallel Hybrid – In this type of hybrid, both the gas engine and electric motor directly power the wheels. This is the more common type of hybrid.
• Plug-In Hybrid – How do hybrid cars work that are plug-in hybrids? These cars have a larger battery capacity and can be charged by being plugged in. This allows the vehicle to run for a short distance in electric-only mode if the driver prefers. They also offer even better gas mileage, making for the most economical Willoughby commute. 

How Does a Honda Hybrid Work?

So, how does a Honda hybrid work? Much the same way that other hybrids work. However, Honda hybrid vehicles get exceptional gas mileage, even compared to many other hybrids. The Accord Hybrid gets up to an estimated 51 miles per gallon in the city*.

Honda Hybrid Models – EPA-Estimated Gas Mileage

• 2023 Honda Accord EX-L Hybrid – up to 51 mpg city / 44 mpg highway*
• 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid – up to 43 mpg city / 36 mpg highway**

Check Out the Hybrid Vehicles at Honda of Mentor

You should come down and test drive the Accord Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid. We’d be happy to put you behind the wheel of one of your own. Best of all, choosing an Accord Hybrid or CR-V Hybrid will allow you to enjoy the Honda Service Pass which includes 2 years/24,000 miles (whichever comes first) of complimentary maintenance. In the meantime, you can learn even more by checking out our post on the benefits of hybrid vehicles. We’re conveniently located near Eastlake. So, drop by or contact us today.

*29 city/37 highway/32 combined mpg rating for LX and EX. 51 city/44 highway/48 combined mpg rating for EX-L. 46 city/41 highway/44 combined mpg rating for Sport, Sport-L and Touring. Based on 2023 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery-pack age/condition (hybrid trims) and other factors.
**28 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg rating for LX, EX, and EX-L. 43 city/36 highway/40 combined mpg rating for Sport Hybrid. 40 city/34 highway/37 combined mpg rating for Sport Touring Hybrid. Based on 2023 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery-pack age/condition (hybrid trims) and other factors.