As gas prices surge, are you ready to start searching for electric/hybrid vehicles?

The world today understands that the harmful emission from automobiles is a trigger to global warming. The nations around the world are ready to make every possible effort to have it under control.

With more and more mainstream models offering hybrid powertrains, and the huge surge in electric vehicles (EVs) that have recently entered the market, consumers have a lot of options to choose from. The best hybrids and plug-in hybrids don’t just provide better fuel economy than gas-only models, some even have significant performance benefits. And the best EVs are pretty, practical, and have quick charging rates—as well as enough range to stave off anxiety.

After years of ‘on the road’ development, gas-electric hybrid cars have become a practical choice for consumers. Check our entire inventory.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Today’s hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are powered by an internal combustion engine in combination with one or more electric motors that use energy stored in batteries. HEVs combine the benefits of high fuel economy and low tailpipe emissions with the power and range of conventional vehicles.

A wide variety of HEV models are currently available. Although HEVs are often more expensive than similar conventional vehicles, some costs may be recovered through fuel savings or state incentives.

Help from an Electric Motor

In an HEV, the extra power provided by the electric motor may allow for a smaller combustion engine. The battery can also power auxiliary loads and reduce engine idling when the vehicle is stopped. Together, these features result in better fuel economy without sacrificing performance.

Regenerative Braking

An HEV cannot plug into off-board sources of electricity to charge the battery. Instead, the vehicle uses regenerative braking and the internal combustion engine to charge. The vehicle captures energy normally lost during braking by using the electric motor as a generator and storing the captured energy in the battery.

Fuel-Efficient System Design

HEVs can be either mild or full hybrids, and full hybrids can be designed in series or parallel configurations.

Mild hybrids (also called micro hybrids) use a battery and electric motor to help power the vehicle and can allow the engine to shut off when the vehicle stops (such as at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic), further improving fuel economy. Mild hybrid systems cannot power the vehicle using electricity alone. These vehicles generally cost less than full hybrids but provide less fuel economy benefit than full hybrids.

Full hybrids have larger batteries and more powerful electric motors, which can power the vehicle for short distances and at low speeds. These vehicles cost more than mild hybrids but provide better fuel economy benefits.

There are different ways to combine the power from the electric motor and the engine. Parallel hybrids—the most common HEV design—connect the engine and the electric motor to the wheels through mechanical coupling. Both the electric motor and the internal combustion engine drive the wheels directly. Series hybrids, which use only the electric motor to drive the wheels, are more commonly found in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

The All-New 2024 CR-V Touring Hybrid is a step into a true standout. Equipped with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine coupled with two electric motors, 19″ aluminum-alloy wheels, perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, 9″ Touchscreen Display Audio with BOSE® Premium Audio, front & rear USB ports (x4), and wireless charging, the all-new Touring Hybrid is power, comfort, and fuel efficiency all wrapped up into one.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) use batteries to power an electric motor, as well as another fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, to power an internal combustion engine or other propulsion source. PHEVs can charge their batteries through charging equipment and regenerative braking. Using electricity from the grid to run the vehicle some or all of the time reduces operating costs and fuel use, relative to conventional vehicles. PHEVs may also produce lower levels of emissions, depending on the electricity source and how often the vehicle is operated in all-electric mode.

There are several light-duty PHEVs commercially available, and medium-duty vehicles are now entering the market. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles can also be converted to PHEVs. Although PHEVs are generally more expensive than similar conventional and hybrid vehicles, some costs can be recovered through fuel savings, Federal or Provincial incentives.

Powered by Electric Motor and Combustion Engine

PHEVs have an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, which uses energy stored in batteries. PHEVs generally have larger battery packs than hybrid electric vehicles. This makes it possible to drive moderate distances using just electricity (about 15 to 60-plus miles in current models), commonly referred to as the “electric range” of the vehicle.

During urban driving, most of a PHEV’s power can come from stored electricity. For example, a light-duty PHEV driver might drive to and from work on all-electric power, plug the vehicle in to charge at night, and be ready for another all-electric commute the next day. The internal combustion engine powers the vehicle when the battery is mostly depleted, during rapid acceleration, or when intensive heating or air conditioning loads are present. Some heavy-duty PHEVs work the opposite way, with the internal combustion engine used for driving to and from a job site and electricity used to power the vehicle’s auxiliary equipment or control the cab’s climate while at the job site.

Fueling and Driving Options

PHEV batteries can be charged by an outside electric power source, by the internal combustion engine, or through regenerative braking. During braking, the electric motor acts as a generator, using the energy to charge the battery, thereby recapturing energy that would have been lost. Learn more about charging PHEVs.

PHEV fuel consumption depends on the distance driven between battery charges. For example, if the vehicle is never plugged in to charge, fuel economy will be about the same as a similarly sized hybrid electric vehicle. If the vehicle is driven a shorter distance than its all-electric range and plugged in to charge between trips, it may be possible to use only electric power. Therefore, consistently charging the vehicle is the best way to maximize the electric benefits.

Fuel-Efficient System Design

Beyond battery storage and motor power, there are various ways to combine the power from the electric motor and the engine. The two main configurations are parallel and series. Some PHEVs use transmissions that allow them to operate in either parallel or series configurations, switching between the two based on the drive profile.

Parallel hybrid operation connects the engine and the electric motor to the wheels through mechanical coupling. Both the electric motor and the engine can drive the wheels directly.

Series plug-in hybrids use only the electric motor to drive the wheels. The internal combustion engine is used to generate electricity for the motor. Vehicles of this type are often referred to as extended-range electric vehicles. The electric motor drives the wheels almost all of the time, but the vehicle can switch to work like a parallel hybrid at highway speeds when the battery is depleted.

All-Electric Vehicles

All-electric vehicles (EVs), also referred to as battery electric vehicles, use a battery pack to store the electrical energy that powers the motor. EV batteries are charged by plugging the vehicle in to an electric power source. Although electricity production may contribute to air pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency categorizes all-electric vehicles as zero-emission vehicles because they produce no direct exhaust or tailpipe emissions.

Both heavy-duty and light-duty EVs are commercially available. EVs are typically more expensive than similar conventional and hybrid vehicles, although some costs can be recovered through fuel savings, a federal tax credit, or state incentives.

Driving Range

Today’s EVs generally have a shorter range (per charge) than comparable conventional vehicles have (per tank of gas). However, the increasing range of new models and the continued development of high-powered charging equipment is reducing this gap. The efficiency and driving range of EVs varies substantially based on driving conditions. Extreme outside temperatures tend to reduce range because more energy must be used to heat or cool the cabin. EVs are more efficient under city driving than highway travel. City driving conditions have more frequent stops, which maximize the benefits of regenerative braking, while highway travel typically requires more energy to overcome the increased drag at higher speeds. Compared with gradual acceleration, rapid acceleration reduces vehicle range. Hauling heavy loads or driving up significant inclines also has the potential to reduce range.

A Sign of What’s to Come

The fully electric 2024 Honda Prologue SUV heralds a new era of electrified Honda vehicles. With versatility and driving range on par with our existing rugged lineup of SUVs, the adventure-ready Prologue navigates both daily commutes and weekend getaways with ease.