Hybrid electric

little_green

Sorry total noob question but what does it mean when fuel type is listed as hybrid electric?
Full details of the vehicle are "Crdi Isg Mhev" I think the d in there stands for diesel?
Basically what i want to know is can I fuel up at a regular station using petrol)diesel or would it need charged?

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TadleyBaggie

I presume this is a Kia Sportage. Yes it is a "Mild Hybrid" diesel, so uses a Diesel engine as its primary engine but charges a small battery to power an electric motor to assist the main engine. 

Grumpy_chap

"Hybrid electric" is as @TadleyBaggie mentioned - but in this case I understand is simply a very small battery that allows some regenerative braking energy to be recovered but not sufficient to actually drive the car in electric mode (unlike a Prius).

Some might even say that this type of use of the terminology "hybrid electric" is misleading.

little_green

Thank you it's so strange that it's listed on the DVLA as fuel type as hybrid electric when actually deisel I had a minor panic I was going to have to install a charging port lol 

Grumpy_chap

little_green said:

Thank you it's so strange that it's listed on the DVLA as fuel type as hybrid electric when actually deisel I had a minor panic I was going to have to install a charging port lol 

Most hybrid cars are petrol (or diesel) and the hybrid battery charged from the ICE engine.

A small number of hybrid cars also have the ability to plug in - these are usually referred to as PHEV - Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle.  I understand that PHEV's can be operated without ever plugging in (though that defeats the extra expense somewhat).

TadleyBaggie

Grumpy_chap said:

I understand that PHEV's can be operated without ever plugging in (though that defeats the extra expense somewhat).

But are very popular as company vehicles due to low taxation.

Carbrook

Recapping comments by others, a mild hybrid runs mainly using the petrol or diesel main engine with additional electric motors cutting in and out as determined by the car's computer - this can allow the main engine to run at it's optimum revs for longer (recharging the battery where the output is higher than needed to propel the car). Regenerative braking also recharges the battery. Clearly you would not need to worry about refuelling with diesel / petrol. Your fuel economy would be good but not fantastic.
With a Plug in Hybrid, you have a bigger battery that again drives electric motors as well as a diesel or electric main engine. The battery is recharged either from the mains, by the main engine or by regenerative braking - all controlled by the car's computer. Mains charging might well be impractical at your home (or work?) so you would have to think carefully about the available charging points in your area (which will be more expensive than home or work charging and probably involve you waiting around).The range of the car in electric only mode will be quite modest but could be enough for short trips if fully charged - with the main engine kicking in as needed for longer trips (hence the fantastic mileage claims based primarily on electric only usage). Electric only range will be affected by use of lights, heaters, radio etc. Again , easy refuelling with diesel / petrol  allows strees free long journeys.
If you can recharge at home (particularly if you have solar panels and can recharge during the day) do consider a Plug in Hybrid because the running cost saving could be massive ....... but only if you keep recharging the battery frequently - otherwise you are driving a heavier car than needed and not getting much benefit (I am referring to non business usage).  
If you do modest daily mileage with very few long trips and can charge at home then seriously consider a fully electric car - the saving on felectricity / fuel could be massive but "range anxiety" needs to be carefully considered

little_green

Carbrook said:

Recapping comments by others, a mild hybrid runs mainly using the petrol or diesel main engine with additional electric motors cutting in and out as determined by the car's computer - this can allow the main engine to run at it's optimum revs for longer (recharging the battery where the output is higher than needed to propel the car). Regenerative braking also recharges the battery. Clearly you would not need to worry about refuelling with diesel / petrol. Your fuel economy would be good but not fantastic.
With a Plug in Hybrid, you have a bigger battery that again drives electric motors as well as a diesel or electric main engine. The battery is recharged either from the mains, by the main engine or by regenerative braking - all controlled by the car's computer. Mains charging might well be impractical at your home (or work?) so you would have to think carefully about the available charging points in your area (which will be more expensive than home or work charging and probably involve you waiting around).The range of the car in electric only mode will be quite modest but could be enough for short trips if fully charged - with the main engine kicking in as needed for longer trips (hence the fantastic mileage claims based primarily on electric only usage). Electric only range will be affected by use of lights, heaters, radio etc. Again , easy refuelling with diesel / petrol  allows strees free long journeys.
If you can recharge at home (particularly if you have solar panels and can recharge during the day) do consider a Plug in Hybrid because the running cost saving could be massive ....... but only if you keep recharging the battery frequently - otherwise you are driving a heavier car than needed and not getting much benefit (I am referring to non business usage).  
If you do modest daily mileage with very few long trips and can charge at home then seriously consider a fully electric car - the saving on felectricity / fuel could be massive but "range anxiety" needs to be carefully considered

Sorry I didn't understand any of that. I don't want an electric car. Basically what has happened is I'm after a particular make/model of car in a particular colour. One has become available but  noticed fuel type is listed as "hybrid electric" as I stated in the op the title of the vehicle states crdi isg 48v (it's a bit complicated as different sites specify different titles some days 48v some say mhev) but all do say crdi. I wanted to double check to ensure even if there is an electric component to how to vehicle operates, that mainly it will still run off deisel or petrol and I can fuel up as normal at a regular gas station and not have to charge it electronically. 

Grumpy_chap

little_green said:

Basically what has happened is I'm after a particular make/model of car in a particular colour. One has become available but  noticed fuel type is listed as "hybrid electric" as I stated in the op the title of the vehicle states crdi isg 48v (it's a bit complicated as different sites specify different titles some days 48v some say mhev) but all do say crdi. I wanted to double check to ensure even if there is an electric component to how to vehicle operates, that mainly it will still run off deisel or petrol and I can fuel up as normal at a regular gas station and not have to charge it electronically. 

Yes, mild hybrid will run off regular fuel from the gas station.  No need to plug in.

From the model descriptor you provide, sounds like this will be a Hyundai diesel.  With a (small) battery allowing for some energy recovery to help keep the engine at optimum rev band when moving.

BOWFER

Mild hybrids are even more cynical and irrelevant than normal hybrids.TadleyBaggie said:

Grumpy_chap said:

I understand that PHEV's can be operated without ever plugging in (though that defeats the extra expense somewhat).

But are very popular as company vehicles due to low taxation.

And very unpopular with proper electric vehicle owners for their habit of using electric car bays to recharge their pathetic range at their pathetically slow charging rate.
For example, a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV takes 4 hours at 7KW or 30 mins on a rapid charger, to do a maximum of 29 miles...laughably pathetic
They're just cynical tax avoidance vehicles, let's be honest.

little_green

BOWFER said:

Mild hybrids are even more cynical and irrelevant than normal hybrids.TadleyBaggie said:

Grumpy_chap said:

I understand that PHEV's can be operated without ever plugging in (though that defeats the extra expense somewhat).

But are very popular as company vehicles due to low taxation.

And very unpopular with proper electric vehicle owners for their habit of using electric car bays to recharge their pathetic range at their pathetically slow charging rate.
For example, a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV takes 4 hours at 7KW or 30 mins on a rapid charger, to do a maximum of 29 miles...laughably pathetic
They're just cynical tax avoidance vehicles, let's be honest.

So I should steer clear of mhev altogether and seek just petrol/diesel? I certainly wouldn't want a fully electric car.