In recent years, automakers have introduced a growing number of alternatives to traditional gas-powered vehicles, which is great news for eco-conscious drivers. With more variety available than ever, today’s motorists need to know the difference between the powertrains they’ll encounter in the marketplace. With that in mind, we thought it would be wise to discuss the ways hybrids and PHEVS differ from a Toyota electric car. 

Hybrids 

Drivers who are familiar with the Toyota brand’s lineup know that it includes several Toyota hybrids, such as the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. These automobiles rely on an internal combustion engine, at least one electric motor, and an electric battery for power. 

Depending on the circumstances, a hybrid car can travel using electricity or gas alone, or the two systems can work together to propel the vehicle. Most hybrid cars have regenerative brakes that recharge their electric batteries. 

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles 

When they contact our Toyota dealership near Los Angeles, CA, some drivers ask us how a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle differs from a hybrid automobile. The biggest difference between the two is that a PHEV can be plugged in to charge its electric battery.

Whereas a traditional hybrid relies on its regenerative brakes exclusively to charge its battery, the battery in a PHEV is charged by the brakes as well as an external power source, such as a 120- or 240-volt household outlet. 

EVs 

Technically speaking, an electric vehicle is an automobile that relies on an electric battery for power either exclusively or in part. That means PHEVs and hybrids are EVs, although the term is normally reserved for automobiles that rely solely on a battery for power. 

If you visit Bob Smith Toyota to learn about EVs, we’ll explain that these vehicles are similar to PHEVs in the sense that they’re charged using an external source like a public charging station. EVs have a longer all-electric driving range compared to hybrids and PHEVs. 

Electric cars like the Toyota bZ4X are fine examples of the Toyota brand’s commitment to a more sustainable future for the automotive industry. 

Are you ready to go green now that you have a better understanding of hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs? If so, apply for Toyota financing through our La Crescenta, CA Toyota finance center now.