With the rising prices of petrol and diesel, plus its negative effects on climate change, a conventional car doesn’t sound like a good fit.
If you are considering buying a new car, a self-charging car is the most earth-friendly choice. These are the best cars to reduce fuel consumption and decrease carbon footprint.
So what are these self-charging hybrid cars, and how do they work? Is a self-charging hybrid car worth the buck?
Keep reading, and we’ll tell you all about them!
What Is a Self Charging Electric Car?
A self-charging hybrid car has both an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine.
Hybrid cars are powered either with traditional fuel or electricity while recharging their battery as you drive.
This way, you’ll save the need and time to charge your car at home. It also prevents the inconvenient possibility of your car running out of power as you drive.
Thus, unlike a fully electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid car, you don’t always have to plug them in to charge its battery.
How Do Hybrid Cars Work?
Some might think “self-charging” means leaving your car overnight and expecting your battery to be fully charged in the morning without plugging it in. NO, that’s not it!
Self-charging hybrids work by charging the batteries with the energy from the engine running or through the regenerative braking system.
The friction created when you step on the brakes to slow the car down creates power. This power is then used to recharge a car’s battery.
When there is enough energy from the battery pack, the car will just use electricity instead of fuel.
The electric motor will help your car gain speed as soon as you accelerate. This makes the petrol engine’s job easier.
These can last for short distances at low speeds. They’re economical when you’re stuck in traffic jams where you must stop and start more often.
At higher speeds and longer journeys, both the internal-combustion engine and the electric motor work together for optimal speed and great fuel economy.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Self-Charging Hybrid Cars
Even the best cars have drawbacks. But it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons before committing to these mild hybrids or full hybrid vehicles.
Pros of Self-Charging Cars
Check out these reasons that will encourage you to consider a self-charging hybrid.
1. Improve Fuel Consumption
Compared to diesel cars, hybrid technology allows your vehicle to decide which engine is best to use in specific circumstances on the road.
Because of the electric mode option, you get to save money on fuel costs.
2. Environmentally Friendly
A full hybrid helps you cut your contribution to air pollution by producing lesser carbon emissions.
3. Best for Short Journeys at Low Speeds
Do you work and live in a highly urbanized city? Getting stuck in traffic can be annoying and costly. But with self-charging hybrids, they’re not too bad.
All of the stopping and starting will use more electric power over fuel. Apart from being fuel-efficient, it’s also a quieter driving experience.
4. No Range Anxiety
Earlier models of electric vehicles often caused range anxiety among drivers because of the limited number of miles they can run without needing to find a charging station.
But with hybrid vehicles, you’ll have better driving habits knowing you can drive hundreds of miles with fuel and its electric battery.
Cons of Self-Charging Cars
Here are some downsides to consider before committing to hybrid vehicles:
1. More Expensive
Due to their technology, other hybrid cars will be more expensive than other vehicles.
However, with fuel savings, the upfront cost of buying a vehicle that self-charges will be worth it in the long run!
2. Less Efficient on the Motorway
Once you head for the motorway with faster drives, a hybrid car will rely more on petrol and diesel engines to achieve higher speeds.
In these conditions, hybrids will no longer be economical and potentially even use more fuel than a modern diesel car.
3. Lack of Battery Power
A self-charging hybrid vehicle has battery packs that have relatively small capacities.
If you drive long distances often, a plug-in hybrid would be a better option since they carry larger batteries with longer electric power.
The Best Self-Charging Electric Cars
Check out these 3 of the best self-charging cars you can get your hands on today.
Toyota Yaris Hybrid
The Toyota Yaris hybrid models carry a new and improved 1.5-litre petrol engine with electric hybrid technology that powers up to 91.2mpg.
It has adaptive cruise controls and three drive modes: EV only, Power and Eco. These modes keep the car running on electricity for as long as possible.
Aside from that, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid carries standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and industry-first centre airbags.
Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid
The Hyundai IONIQ can come in full hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric, depending on your need and preference.
Its self-charging hybrid model is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor that can drive up to 62mpg.
That’s impressive enough for a car of its size.
Lexus CT 200h
This luxury hybrid car is one of the most reliable ones in its class. Even used models of up to 5 years can still resell for a reasonable rate and perform exquisitely.
It has an estimated fuel economy of about 43mpg for city, highway, or combined driving.
Plus, you will admire its sleek and stylish interiors and exteriors too.
What’s the Cheapest Self Charging Electric Car?
The cheapest self-charging hybrid you can find in the UK is perhaps the Toyota Yaris Hybrid.
The prices start from £17,000 to £19,000, depending on its model and other functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve got you covered! Here are answers to questions you might have in mind:
How Far Can a Self-Charging Hybrid Car Go?
Most self-charging hybrids carry a battery pack with smaller capacities than a plug-in hybrid model. This means they can’t travel as far.
Models that self-charge can drive only up to 20 to 30 miles without the conventional engine kicking in.
Are Self-Driving Hybrid Cars Worth It?
If you predominantly drive in the city, then YES, they are worth it.
Plus, you can lower the environmental impact of your driving as these models nearly have zero tailpipe emissions!
Are Teslas Self-Charging?
To fully recharge most Teslas, you still need access to an electrical outlet.
However, technically, a Tesla still benefits from a regenerative braking system where it stores energy and recharges the battery when you are braking or coasting downhill.
Is There a Fully Electric Self-Charging Car?
Toyota, Kia, Lexus, and Hyundai are the industry leaders in cars with hybrid engines.
Not all car providers offer them, and even these brands that do carry only limited models of the technology.
There is no known fully electric self-charging car currently being sold on the market just yet.
But you can check vehicle details of new model releases for its features that are still as economic and earth-friendly.
Which Is Better, Self-Charging Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid?
Self-charging hybrids are preferable if you find it a hassle to regularly plug your car at home or at work to charge.
They are more economical and earth-friendly if your commute is short and at limited speeds.
Plug-in hybrid cars use both traditional fuel and an electric battery too. They can run between 20 to 40 miles on a fully charged battery.
This distance is higher than a self-charging hybrid’s electric power capacity.
Plug-in hybrids carry a much larger battery. Thus, making them slightly more expensive than a self-charging hybrid.
But if you often drive long distances, they have better fuel economy than the hybrids that self-charge.
Conclusion
The right hybrid electric car is waiting for you to take your pick!
Whether they are self-charging or plug-in hybrids, this revolutionary technology has become a game-changer in the car industry.
Not only does driving a hybrid help you reduce your carbon footprint, but it helps you save big bucks on fuel than if you were to drive with a diesel engine.
That alone should convince you to get one of these self-charging electric cars soon!
Skills Training Group are a leading provider of electrician courses. If youre interesting in learning more about our EV Charger Installer Course, get in touch.
