Plug-in hybrid facts for kids

The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid car.

A plug-in hybrid car is a special type of vehicle. It uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, just like a regular hybrid vehicle. The big difference is that you can plug a plug-in hybrid into an electrical outlet to charge its batteries. Regular hybrids only charge their batteries from the car's engine or when you brake.

Plug-in hybrids have larger batteries. These batteries can be charged using normal household electricity. This means a plug-in hybrid can drive for many miles—sometimes up to 40 miles—using only electricity, without any gasoline! These cars are also called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or PHEVs. Some PHEVs use their gas engine only to recharge the batteries, not to power the wheels directly. These are known as Extended-Range Electric Vehicles or E-REVs.

Using electricity to power your car is much cheaper than using gasoline. It's like buying gasoline for less than $1 per gallon! Plug-in hybrids also help reduce greenhouse pollution. This is because electric power is much more efficient than gasoline. They also help reduce how much crude oil we need to import.

What Are the Benefits of Plug-in Hybrid Cars?

Plug-in hybrid cars offer several cool benefits. They help you save money on fuel because electricity is cheaper than gas. They also help the environment by producing less pollution. This is good for the air we breathe and helps fight climate change.

Are There Any Challenges for Plug-in Hybrids?

Even with all their benefits, plug-in hybrids have some challenges. The extra batteries make the car a bit heavier and can add to the cost. Also, we need more charging stations in different places to make it easier for people to plug in their cars. For now, regular hybrid cars are still very popular. But plug-in hybrids are becoming more common as technology improves.

Images for kids

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  The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the world's best-selling plug-in hybrid.

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  The Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid was one of the very first plug-in hybrid cars.

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  This is a Lithium-ion battery pack, like those used in plug-in hybrid cars.

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  Plug-in Toyota Prius cars recharging at a public charging station.

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  The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid was first sold in 2012.

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  The Chevrolet Volt is a type of plug-in hybrid.

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  The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid uses both its engine and electric motor to power the wheels.

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  These are lead–acid batteries installed in a converted Toyota Prius.

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  This chart shows how far some plug-in hybrids can go using only electricity.

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  The Chevrolet Volt was once the world's most popular plug-in hybrid.

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  This chart shows how sales of electric cars (BEVs) compare to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

See also

In Spanish: Vehículo híbrido eléctrico enchufable para niños