Despite the growing popularity of traditional electric vehicles, not everyone is ready for one. There's another option that's a good first step for many drivers: plug-in hybrids.
"A plug-in hybrid is the gateway drug for EVs," says Amelia Dalgaard, an automotive expert known online as the Motorhead Mama.
That's because plug-in hybrids address the range anxiety that stops some car buyers from going full-EV at first.
Plug-in hybrids let you drive on battery power for a limited distance, with a gas engine as backup. For some, it's the best of both worlds; for others, juggling two fuel sources just isn't worth the hassle.
Here's how to decide if a plug-in hybrid is the right car for you.
What is a plug-in hybrid?
A plug-in hybrid is essentially an upgrade from the traditional hybrids many of us know. Both use a mix of battery power and gas, but here's the key difference:
A regular hybrid relies mostly on its internal combustion engine but has a small battery that can kick in at low speeds or when the car is stopped. In this type of hybrid, the battery is recharged solely through regenerative braking and the car's internal combustion engine.
relies mostly on its internal combustion engine but has a small battery that can kick in at low speeds or when the car is stopped. In this type of hybrid, the battery is recharged solely through regenerative braking and the car's internal combustion engine. With a plug-in hybrid, the onboard battery is much larger and can support a fully electric driving range of about 20 to 30 miles. These batteries also recharge partly through regenerative braking but need to be plugged in to fully top off -- hence the name "plug-in" hybrid.
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