Petrol, hybrids, plug-ins, electric: What's the difference?

Petrol, hybrids, plug-ins, electric: What's the difference?

The landscape of car types available for a customer looking to rent a car in 2023 is quite extensive, catering to various environmental and consumption needs. Electric cars are perfect for city driving, offering many benefits such as free parking in blue zones or access to restricted traffic areas in historic city centers.

But what about plug-ins and hybrids? Are they the same thing but with more futuristic names? Does anything change in terms of the engine and performance? Do they have the same advantages as electric cars?

Let's clarify the different types of cars, trying to understand what sets them apart:

If the internal combustion engine car is like the trusted bar where we've always gone with friends, let's start with Mild Hybrid (MHEV), the first point of contact between combustion and electric additions. It's a normal combustion engine car (it refuels, not recharges) that, at startup, has a small battery (usually 12 or 48V) replacing the starter motor during acceleration. It adds a Start/Stop technology that accumulates energy for later use. Mild Hybrids cannot operate solely on electric power, but this combination saves about 12% in fuel consumption and emissions.

For a more significant electric influence, let's move on to Plug-in Hybrids, or PHEV. These combine the combustion engine and the electric motor, requiring a slightly larger battery than the Mild Hybrid. In addition to recharging during braking, they can be directly charged using a plug, reducing CO2 emissions compared to the previously mentioned cars. With a plug-in hybrid, it's possible to drive in electric mode for 50-60 km. The dual motor setup provides strong horsepower with low consumption. They offer various driving modes, from pure electric to hybrid, to combustion engine with battery charging. Typically, there's a Hybrid 4x4 mode that utilizes both motors.

Now, let's talk about Full Electric BEVs, which have no combustion engine. They produce zero emissions and charge by connecting to an electrical source. Their range depends not only on driving style but also on the size of the battery allocated in the body, which determines the overall autonomy.

To assist you in making the right choice, Edilfar Rent has all the mentioned car types in its fleet. At our centers in Milan, Rome, and Modena, you'll find someone ready to address all your doubts. Visit our website to see all the latest seasonal and non-seasonal offers on our cars.