Renault Hybrid
What Is A Hybrid Car?
A hybrid car is a car that uses two power sources to run: an electric battery and a petrol engine. The battery and engine can work together or on their own, delivering smooth power and exhilarating performance.
Renault hybrid cars use a self-charging system. This means that the battery is charged while the car is being driven, either by the petrol engine or through regenerative braking. Regenerative braking uses the energy that is created when the car slows down to recharge the battery.
Renault Hybrid Technology Explained
Renault’s E-Tech Plug-in technology is based on the powertrains used by the Renault F1 Team. It combines two electric motors (one primary and one secondary), a combustion engine, and a central battery.
E-Tech technology provides 100% electric start-up, meaning that the vehicle can start and drive on electric power alone, without using the combustion engine.
With Renault’s MULTI-SENSE technology, you can choose the driving mode best suited to your environment. You can switch between "My Sense" hybrid mode, "Pure" electric mode, or "Sport" mode to maximise your vehicle's power.
Are Hybrid Cars Worth It?
Yes, hybrid cars offer several advantages over petrol and diesel cars, including:
Dual advantages of electric and petrol power
Hybrid cars combine the benefits of both electric and petrol cars. They can run on electric power for short distances, which is quiet and emission-free. At higher speeds and on longer journeys, they use the petrol engine to provide more power and range. This means that you can quickly refuel a hybrid car at a petrol station, without having to worry about waiting for it to charge.
Improved fuel economy
Hybrid cars use less fuel than petrol and diesel cars because they can run on electric power for some of the time. This is especially beneficial for shorter, slower journeys, where hybrid cars will predominantly use electric power.
Lower emissions
Since a hybrid is partially powered by electricity, it will produce less emissions than a full-petrol vehicle.
Less reliance on charging points
Unless you choose a plug-in hybrid car, you don't need to worry about finding a charging point. Hybrid cars can charge their batteries while they are being driven.
Tax benefits
Hybrid cars pay less road tax than petrol and diesel cars in the UK.
Less devaluation
Hybrid cars hold their value better than petrol and diesel cars. The use of electric power at slower speeds means there’s less wear and tear on the engine.
Affordable to maintain
Hybrid cars have fewer moving parts than petrol and diesel cars, so they require less maintenance. The brakes don't have to work as hard because the regenerative braking system helps to slow the car down.
The Different Types Of Hybrid Cars
Mild hybrids
Mild hybrids have a small electric motor that helps the petrol engine to operate more efficiently. The electric motor cannot power the car on its own, but it can provide a boost of power when accelerating or hill climbing. Mild hybrids also use regenerative braking to charge the battery.
Full hybrids
Full hybrids can run on electric power alone for short distances, typically up to 2 miles. This is because they have a larger battery than mild hybrids. Full hybrids also use regenerative braking to charge the battery.
Plug-in hybrids
Plug-in hybrids can be plugged in to charge their batteries, in addition to self-charging through regenerative braking. This means that plug-in hybrids have a longer all-electric range than full hybrids, typically up to 30 miles. However, plug-in hybrids are also more expensive to buy than full hybrids
Should I Buy A Hybrid Car?
If you're not ready to switch to a fully electric car, a hybrid car is a great option. It offers many of the same benefits, without requiring you to change your driving habits. Take a look at some of the Hybrid Cars we offer here at Brown Brothers Renault.
FAQs
If you have any further questions about Hybrid Cars, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Full and mild hybrid models are self-charging. Their batteries are charged using energy created by the combustion engine.
There is no need to plug them in, so you’ll never have to worry about finding or installing a charging station.
A hybrid car is more fuel efficient and cost effective than a petrol vehicle. A hybrid car is also a green alternative to the traditional petrol engine.
Due to the combination of a petrol engine and battery power, there's less wear and tear on a hybrid car's engine. Regenerative braking also reduces the wear on brakes, which lowers the need for maintenance, meaning your hybrid car may last longer than a petrol or diesel equivalent.
Yes. Most plug-in vehicle owners have a home charging unit, eliminating the requirement for public charging for most trips.
The time it takes to charge a plug-in hybrid depends on the size of the battery. Generally, there are four types of charging available:
- Slow (up to 3kW)
- Fast (7-22kW)
- Rapid (25-99kW)
- Ultra-rapid (100-350kW)
Yes, you can charge a hybrid car in the rain, hybrid cars are designed to withstand rain and water intrusion.
An electric vehicle (EV) is powered solely by electricity. It has no combustion engine.
EVs require a mains electricity supply.
As hybrids use two energy sources, there’s no anxiety when trying to reach a charging point before the car runs out juice.
Hybrid Performance
Regenerative braking converts wasted energy from braking into electricity and stores it in the battery. The electric motor is reversed so that instead of using electricity to turn the wheels, the rotating wheels turn the motor to create electricity.
Renault hybrid cars are designed to be electric vehicles with petrol engines as backup. They can run in three different ways: electric, hybrid, or petrol.
Electric mode uses less fuel, so you'll save money on petrol and be able to drive for longer distances. In general, you can expect to use 40% less fuel in a hybrid car than in a similar petrol car.
Renault hybrid cars start up in electric mode and use energy recovery technology to drive as far as possible on electricity, making for quieter journeys.
E-TECH technology makes acceleration more responsive and manoeuvring easier, for a more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. Renault hybrid cars also have an automatic gearbox that controls the gears and switches between traction modes automatically, so you can focus on the road.
Hybrid Benefits
Much like a regular car, but with enhanced responsiveness, smoothness, and efficiency.
Efficiency and economy. Driving a hybrid means consuming less fuel than a conventional car.
Powering a Hybrid Car
The driver can switch from hybrid to electric mode when the battery has enough charge.
The automatic gearbox in hybrid cars changes gears and switches between hybrid and electric mode based on two things: how hard you press the accelerator pedal and how much charge is left in the battery. The car starts in electric mode by default and stays in this mode until you reach a speed of between 43 and 80 mph. If you need more power or the battery is running low, the car will switch to the combustion engine.
If your hybrid car battery dies, it'll need to be replaced or the car won't work properly. If you notice the car losing its efficiency or struggling to hold a charge, contact Brown Brothers as soon as possible to arrange a battery change.
The daily act of driving, charges the battery with the flow of energy regulated automatically.
The engine provides power through the generator motor to charge the battery. The battery charge level is constantly monitored, and recharging begins automatically.
Yes! Hybrid cars can go much further than fuel-powered cars because they have both a petrol engine and a battery. The battery powers the electric motor and is charged when you brake or slow down.
Yes, you can. Hybrid cars can automatically switch between different driving modes, giving you a unique driving experience. Hybrid mode uses both the petrol engine and the electric motor to provide more power and a longer driving range.
If your battery runs low, the petrol engine will automatically take over so you can continue your journey.
You can drive a hybrid car in electric mode for most of the time, up to 80%. However, E-Tech technology captures more energy than most hybrids, so you can drive electric for even longer.
Generally, batteries need to be used regularly to retain their charge, so hybrid cars shouldn’t be left to sit for too long. If you don’t drive your car for longer than four or five months, the battery might start to deplete or lose its efficiency.
E-TECH plug-in cars have a 9.8 kWh battery that can power them for up to 30 miles in full electric mode. This means you can drive around town without using any petrol.
