How far can a hybrid car go?
Whereas fuel cars are compared on their consumption, electric cars are often compared on their range. A hybrid car is exactly in between: it has both a fuel engine and an electric motor.
How far can a hybrid car go?
A hybrid car offers the best of both worlds. By combining a fuel engine and an electric motor, a hybrid car is not only economical, but also has a long range. How big? Of course, this differs per model, but an average hybrid car can drive a total of between 750 and 1,000 kilometers (620 and 700 miles) with a full tank of fuel and a fully charged battery, without having to stop in between. Often, the bigger the car, the further it gets. Larger cars are often equipped with larger fuel tanks and batteries.
All-electric range
Because many hybrid cars also offer the option of driving only electrically, we also speak of an electric range. This is the maximum distance a car can drive purely electrically until the battery needs to be recharged. The electric range of a hybrid car varies greatly from model to model and depends first and foremost on the type of hybrid.
A regular hybrid car, also called a “full-hybrid,” can usually run fully electric only at lower speeds (up to 50 km/h). How long, depends on the size of the battery. Most full-hybrids don’t get further than a few miles. Enough for a trip to the supermarket, but no more than that. As soon as the battery is empty, the gasoline engine will jump on by itself.
There is also the plug-in hybrid. The main difference from a full-hybrid is that a plug-in hybrid allows you to drive purely electrically for longer and at higher speeds. A plug-in hybrid has a larger battery that you must charge with a charging cable at a charging point. Hence the addition of ‘plug-in’.
Plug-in hybrids also vary widely. The vast majority have an electric range of between 30 and 60 kilometers. Or a little more, like the Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid that can drive up to 62 kilometers (WLTP) fully electric.
In larger plug-in hybrids in more expensive price brackets, we see the electric range increasing, sometimes towards 100 kilometers. Then you’ll only need the fuel engine if you drive really long distances.
Long distances with a hybrid car
Because the fuel engine of a hybrid car is optimally supported by the electric motor and therefore drives extra economically, you get more miles out of a full tank of fuel and can drive longer without having to stop in between. Thus, a hybrid car is excellent for driving long distances. This is especially true for plug-in hybrids with a relatively large battery. Going to southern Europe in one go without having to refuel or recharge in the meantime might well be possible.
