Hybrids: Old Technology for the Future

At Orange Coast CJDRF, we believe that although hybrid technology may no longer be new, it is definitely still a revolutionary concept. Whether you already own a hybrid or you’re looking for new or used hybrid cars for sale, the benefits of a low-emission system are undeniable. When hybrids first rolled out, opinion was divided. The advantages were obvious, but that didn’t mean everyone saw the need.

As car manufacturers began embracing hybrid technology, people began to see just how cool it could be. More hybrid vehicles joined the market, and there was eventually a hybrid model for every driver. Now hybrid vehicles are filling every corner of the automotive industry, and we are excited to see what this means for the future.

Hybrid’s Superpower: Regeneration

To understand why the hybrid is the car of the future, we have to understand why the technology is so effective. Hybrid vehicles use a combination of a gas-powered engine and at least one electric motor. This combination allows a vehicle to run off gas or, in certain situations, electricity. The engine has more than one job in this system; it runs the car but also helps to charge the batteries.

What makes the hybrid system really unique is something called regenerative braking. Regenerative braking is a way of taking the kinetic energy created from the act of breaking and turning it into an energy source for the electric motor. Rather than the motor making the wheels turn using electricity, the wheels rotate and turn the motor, creating electricity. Using this electricity to take some of the burdens off of the gas-powered engine makes the system more fuel efficient.

Additionally, hybrid systems provide engineers the ability to use smaller and more efficient engines than in traditional cars, which also contributes to fuel efficiency. Many hybrids also offer smart shut-off features to save energy without cutting power to auxiliary functions such as the AC and radio.

There’s More Than One Kind of Hybrid

Since the desire for more fuel-efficient vehicles has increased, manufacturers have developed alternative hybrid systems to meet the demands of the public. Now, “hybrid” doesn’t mean just one type of car. For instance, “mild hybrids” are an increasingly popular type of powertrain in everything from full-size trucks to luxury sedans. Unlike a traditional hybrid, a mild hybrid lacks a large battery pack and regenerative braking, instead using a small electric motor to supplement the output of the gasoline engine.

On the opposite side of the spectrum is the “plug-in hybrid.” These use much larger battery packs than traditional hybrids, paired with significantly more powerful electric motors. The result is a hybrid that can shut down its gasoline engine and run on electricity for extended distances. As the name implies, you can even plug in these models just like an electric vehicle, potentially never needing to use gasoline at all as long as you keep your trips short. These plug-in hybrids are a great intermediate step if you are interested in an electric vehicle but aren’t quite ready to commit to a life without gasoline.

A Hybrid for Everybody

Hybrid technology has become very popular over the years. Originally it was only really seen in small vehicles like hatchbacks and sedans. However, as hybrid technology has taken hold of the world, more and more manufacturers have jumped on the hybrid bandwagon.

Take for instance Jeep. The original Jeep was designed as a military vehicle, and the brand continues to build vehicles intended for off-road adventurers. For a long time, hybrids were put in a box, stereotyped as slow, boring commuter cars––the exact opposite of a Jeep. But with rugged Jeep models now sporting hybrid systems, our impression of hybrids is changing.

Jeep has numerous hybrid models, including the Jeep Wrangler, an iconic vehicle if ever there were one. The Jeep Wrangler will always be the car that out-drove a T-Rex in Jurassic Park, but now it’s so much more than that. If you get a glimpse of the 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, you will see a car that stays true to its history but also embraces its future.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe uses a 2.0L turbocharged engine alongside its electric motors, giving it some serious torque and horsepower. There are four trims to choose from, each featuring a plug-in hybrid system. Jeep states that this is its first step in offering a full line of zero-emission SUVs.

Let’s not forget about the new 2022 Ford Maverick either. All three trims come standard with a 2.5L motor that, in unison with an electric motor, produces 191 hp. This hybrid compact truck has the potential to tow up to 2,000 lbs, has a spacious interior, and gets an EPA-estimated 42 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. Pretty impressive for a pickup.

It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a commuter car or a vehicle for off-roading; hybrid systems are making their way into some of America’s favorite vehicles. With hybrid technology taking such incredible leaps over the years, it’s easy to imagine the places it could go in the future. As more car manufacturers announce goals of working towards an emissions-free industry, we have the opportunity to see some major changes ahead.

What’s Love Got to Do With It?

With hybrid technology being offered in so many different makes and models, it seems like buying into the hybrid hype is a pretty easy decision, right? Well, not everybody will see it as such a simple choice. For some, buying a car is not just about facts and figures. For some, buying a car is an emotional experience.

There is something about the way people see a vehicle that takes it from a hunk of parts and transforms it into so much more. A memory, a feeling of sentimentality, a time machine into the past. Cars trigger emotion and can bring something out of us that can’t always be explained or understood.

That is why, when considering a hybrid, it is important to understand how far they have come since their invention fifty-plus years ago. Even since the first major models of hybrid hit the market, there have been some significant changes in availability. Fun hybrids like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe or even the sleek new 2023 Toyota Prius have added a level of excitement to what were once soulless appliances.

Just the Cold, Hard Facts

The truth of the matter is that there are some seriously awesome benefits of hybrids. The hybrid is so much more than a car. The hybrid system is a potential solution to a whole array of problems we are facing. Climate change, rising gas prices, oil dependency, unsustainability––the list goes on. It truly is remarkable to see so many new hybrid and fully electric vehicles being produced, especially in a way that embraces car culture.

Hybrids are paving the way for change. Using innovation to decrease CO2 emissions and developing vehicles that use a sustainable energy source is why the hybrid has become the unofficial mascot of change. Investing in a hybrid is like investing in your future, even if you are just shopping for a used hybrid for sale. What benefits can be found from a vehicle that are better than change and hope?