Mild Hybrid Electric Cars
Sipping Fuel with an Electric Helping Hand
Car engines have been pushed to the peak of efficiency by ever-tightening regulations. At some point physics takes over and engines just can’t get any cleaner on their own.
This is where Mild Hybrids come in.
Rather than install a new motor to drive the wheels, a Mild Hybrid is all about using a beefed-up electrical system to help the engine run cleaner. The more efficient it is, the further it goes on a tank of fuel and the more money you save at the pump – and in car tax.
If you want a car that’ll eat up the miles while sipping fuel like a fine wine, a Hybrid ticks all the boxes.
By adding an electric motor to drive the wheels at low speeds – and help take the strain when it’s going fast – modern Hybrids give you the flexibility of petrol power with far less pollution. They also save you plenty of cash at the fuel pump.
- Many new cars now come with a Mild Hybrid drivetrain as standard
- Many early model mild hybrid cars are now starting to trickle onto the used car forecourts
- Mild hybrid can significantly help you save money compared to their pure-petrol or diesel variants
Car Finance Calculator For Mild Hybrid Electric Cars
Representative example:
Borrowing £9,000 over 60 months with a representative APR of 21.9%, an annual interest rate of 21.9% (Fixed) and a deposit of £0.00, the amount payable would be £238.28 per month, with a total cost of credit of £5,296.90 and a total amount payable of £14,296.90
Useful Links for Electric Car Research
Useful Mild Hybrid Car Links
What is mild Hybrid
Does a mild hybrid save fuel?
Do Mild Hybrids have a battery?
Useful Hybrid Car links
How Does A Hybrid Car Work?
Can I still drive a Hybrid Cars after 2030?
Do Hybrids work on Electricity Alone?
How Long do Hybrid Car Batteries Last?
Mild Hybrids are the New Kid on the Automotive Block, sweeping in to save car makers from government fines and you from paying over the odds at the pump. Discover how they work, and just how much you could save by buying one
While a regular Hybrid (sometimes, erroneously, called a “Self Charging” Hybrid) uses a large electric motor to drive the wheels of your car directly, a Mild Hybrid is only there to help the engine.
At no point does a Mild Hybrid system push you along the road – the electric motor is not powerful enough to do this on its own. What it does do is increase the voltage of the car’s electrical system, making it more efficient. It also replaces the alternator with a motor that is recharged as you apply the brakes, removing the power drain an alternator usually applies to your engine to keep your car’s electrics topped up.
A Hybrid has a much bigger battery with a motor linked directly to the wheels, either on an axel or via the gearbox (in BMWs). These use electric power to propel the car along for short bursts at low speeds, as well as helping the engine when cruising.
So a Mild Hybrid is technology that makes your engine more efficient while a traditional Hybrid uses battery power to power your vehicle along.
Most Mild Hybrids actually have two – one to power lights and entertainment and one that helps the engine.
Yes, a Mild Hybrid saves fuel by improving the efficiency of your engine. How much and how? Click here to find out.