Current Events > How exactly does a plug-in hybrid vehicle work

(+) Yeah! (+)

I have a 55+ mile (one way) commute and obviously gas is gonna get expensive fast. My car now gets 33-35 mpg which isn't terrible but that's not even one gallon per direction.

Looking at maybe a Toyota Prius plug-in but how exactly does it work? Would it go 100% off the charged up electricity until that's all used up and then switch to regular hybrid operating mode with the hybrid battery kicking in at low speeds?
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To use a plug in butt...

Oh wait. You posted, ...plug-in but how exactly does it work?
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QuantumTheory posted...

To use a plug in butt...

Oh wait. You posted, ...plug-in but how exactly does it work?

I feel like I'm reading one of those automated bot responses on a reddit post >_:>
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Hexenherz posted...

QuantumTheory posted...

To use a plug in butt...

Oh wait. You posted, ...plug-in but how exactly does it work?

I feel like I'm reading one of those automated bot responses on a reddit post >_:>

I need an AI upgrade.
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Typically, the car will use the electric engine until the battery is depleted, then switch to internal combustion engine.
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CableZL posted...

Typically, the car will use the electric engine until the battery is depleted, then switch to internal combustion engine.

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Depends on the model. Most plug-in hybrids will have an option to go 100% electric up to a certain speed. They all have safeguards in place to keep you from being stranded, so it's not like you're gonna forget to charge your car one day and then be stuck.

CableZL posted...

Typically, the car will use the electric engine until the battery is depleted, then switch to internal combustion engine.

So in the case of a plug-in Prius, the battery is charged through a cable as opposed to by just driving around like a normal hybrid Prius?

I guess I'm just confused what the advantage of the plug in feature is.
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Hexenherz posted...

CableZL posted...

Typically, the car will use the electric engine until the battery is depleted, then switch to internal combustion engine.

So in the case of a plug-in Prius, the battery is charged through a cable as opposed to by just driving around like a normal hybrid Prius?

I guess I'm just confused what the advantage of the plug in feature is.

yep
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Hexenherz posted...

CableZL posted...

Typically, the car will use the electric engine until the battery is depleted, then switch to internal combustion engine.

So in the case of a plug-in Prius, the battery is charged through a cable as opposed to by just driving around like a normal hybrid Prius?

I guess I'm just confused what the advantage of the plug in feature is.

you do need to plug it in. the internal charges minor things but running won't charge it for a commute.
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It just seems to me that a regular hybrid is better then since it's constantly charging >_>
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Hexenherz posted...

It just seems to me that a regular hybrid is better then since it's constantly charging >_>

I have a regular hybrid car. I'm gonna make the jump to fully electric in a few years.

It's pretty cool. It switches between electric, gas, or both depending on certain driving conditions.
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Yeah I mean I watched my friend's hybrid when he was on deployment and I really liked that concept and I liked how the car drove. Then someone at work was like "Plug-in hybrids!" so I thought it was like... a self-contained electric motor plus a hybrid electric-gas motor for when the independent one is discharged. But I guess I didn't understand it right :(

Full electric is enticing but I'm paranoid about the cars having the range I need. I know Tesla would but I don't want a Tesla.
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You have to leave it plugged into an outlet at all times while driving

Hairistotle posted...

as someone who lives in ny, i see "55 mile commute" and literally puke all over the floor. jesus christ

I have a lot of patience and I like my job and I'm still literally getting home the same time as when I only had like a 25 minute commute.

Complete_Idi0t posted...

You have to leave it plugged into an outlet at all times while driving

lol I love you man
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Like, the Hyundai Ioniq has an estimated range of 124, which, given the unpredictability of traffic on my route, could easily leave me dead on the road :\ The Kona has 230+, but it's Hyundai so I don't trust them in general.

The Honda electric doesn't even reach over 100 mile range

And Toyota doesn't even have an all electric vehicle :|
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