Hybrid vehicles used to be niche, expensive, and hard-to-find, but these days, you can find them just about everywhere! Whether you’re looking for a sporty two-door coupe or a full-size family SUV, you’ll probably be able to find a hybrid or electric variant around St Louis and beyond. One question that we get a lot at Suntrup Hyundai South is, “What’s the difference between hybrid and plug-in hybrid?” You might have heard these terms but don’t know exactly what sets them apart from each other.
While hybrids and plug-in hybrids both use a combination of gasoline and electric power, there are some important differences in how they work under the hood. Hybrid vehicles have smaller electric motors that are powered by self-charging batteries, while plug-in hybrids offer more electric power due to larger batteries that need to be plugged into a charging station to recharge. They both offer a unique set of benefits, but which one is the right choice for you? Check out the guide below from Suntrup Hyundai South for more information about the differences between hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles!
Hybrids are ideal for drivers who want a bit of extra performance and efficiency on the Jefferson County without switching up their daily driving routine. There’s no need to charge the battery, since it charges itself as you drive, so all you have to do is stop for gas like normal! You’ll also enjoy significant fuel economy improvements due to the addition of electric power.
Due to their larger electric motor and batteries, plug-in hybrid vehicles can run short to moderate distances solely on electric power! In fact, many plug-in hybrids let you configure them, so you initially use electric power alone, only deploying the gasoline engine when the battery is drained. Plug-in hybrids are a great “middle ground” between traditional hybrids and fully-electric vehicles, so if you’re not quite ready to commit to a full EV, this may be the best choice for you!
They’re also more efficient and more environmentally-friendly than standard hybrids, but there are financial benefits as well in the form of long-term fuel savings. In fact, if you typically only use your vehicle for local drives or a short daily commute, you may end up using almost no gasoline with plug-in hybrid vehicles.
At Suntrup Hyundai South, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles in our inventory, including the Sonata Hybrid, Elantra Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, and Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid. Whether you’re looking for something new or pre-owned, we’ve got you covered! Contact our office to see what we have available, or to take one of our current models out for a test drive around St Charles.
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