Let’s Discover the Difference Between a Hybrid and a Plug-In Hybrid

At City Toyota, we feature a wide inventory of fuel efficient vehicles that achieve class-leading fuel efficiency. From hybrids and plug-in hybrids to full electric vehicles, there’s a full inventory waiting for you to explore. However, some customers that browse our inventory sometimes wonder what the difference is between a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Our Toyota dealership takes pride not only and provides a wide inventory of vehicles, but we also provide Helpful information to help you make the most informed decision. Dive in with us as we explore the difference between a hybrid EV and a plug-in hybrid EV, and discover why drivers choose City Toyota for all of their auto-related needs.

What’s a Hybrid?

A hybrid vehicle uses a traditional internal combustion engine with the help of a small electric motor to save fuel. Powering the electric motor is a small battery that is self-contained by the vehicle. This means that the battery is recharged using regenerative braking.

Regenerative braking recycles kinetic energy and sends the generated power back to the battery to keep it charged. This self-containing system allows a hybrid vehicle to save gas without ever needing to be plugged in.

One of the benefits of driving a hybrid vehicle is the fuel savings. Hybrid vehicles can offer significant fuel savings over traditional and gasoline power vehicles. While hybrid vehicles are less expensive than plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, they don’t achieve the same fuel efficiency. Nevertheless, the blend of fuel efficiency and cost savings makes hybrid vehicles a great option for many drivers in the Bay Area.

Unpacking a Plug-In Hybrid

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles use the same principles as a traditional hybrid, but they typically feature larger battery packs. These larger battery packs typically cannot be recharged by the vehicle alone, and must be plugged in each night. The benefit to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is that they offer the benefits of driving a short range on battery power alone before the gas powered engine kicks into assist. For this reason, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are a great choice for many buyers because they offer them the ability to drive about 30-40 miles on electric power.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are great options for many drivers because they can help save fuel. With many plug and hybrid electric vehicles qualifying for a federal tax credit, these types of vehicles are appealing to many buyers. However, because plug-in hybrids have larger batteries, home charging is highly recommended due to the fact that you’ll need to charge the battery regularly.

Experience Your New Vehicle at City Toyota

At City Toyota, finding the perfect vehicle is always just a short visit away. Whether you’re interested in a model like the RAV4 Hybrid, or perhaps you’re interested in the legendary Toyota Prius, there are so many options for you to choose from at our dealership.

In addition to our wide inventory of vehicles, we also feature fantastic special offers that help you save money while driving home and a fuel efficient Toyota that you’ll love. We are located in Daly City, CA, and welcome shoppers from all over the Bay Area. Stop by City Toyota today and discover why shoppers in cities like San Francisco, CA, and Colma, CA come to us first when they’re looking for a new vehicle.