Your questions about full hybrid E‑Tech and E-Tech plug-in hybrid technologies

The adjective “hybrid” applies to something that is composed of several elements.

When applied to a vehicle, “hybrid” refers to vehicles that combine two types of motor.

They pair an electric powertrain with a combustion engine to help you reduce consumption and increase the performance of your vehicle.

A hybrid car combines two types of powertrain: a combustion engine (always petrol for Renault) and one or more electric motors. They are combined with a traction battery that stores the electrical energy.

Mild hybrid powertrains are not an E-Tech technology since you cannot drive fully electric.

It involves micro-hybridisation of the vehicle, which provides electrified assistance (12 V or 48 V) to the combustion engine only during starting and acceleration to reduce consumption and improve performance.

They therefore offer more flexible and dynamic driving whilst allowing up to 20% fuel savings compared with an equivalent non-electrified petrol engine.

_{* 48 V technical solution}

A hybrid car starts solely using the electric powertrain, which is more efficient at start-up. It then alternates between electric traction (100% electric motor), hybrid traction (petrol engine and electric motor) and combustion engine traction (petrol engine).

Switching takes place automatically depending on the acceleration required, the road conditions and the charge of the traction battery. In some models, an EV button can be used to force electric driving, otherwise the energy management system automatically manages changes to achieve the best compromise between consumption and performance.

The main innovation of the hybrid car is the integration of two types of engines in the same vehicle: an internal combustion engine and one, or even several, electric motors.

Integrated technology automatically manages the switchover between three different driving modes: electric, combustion-powered and hybrid (which uses internal combustion and electric energy).

The major benefit of the hybrid vehicle is that it combines the practical aspect of a combustion-powered car with the environmental and economical advantages of the electric powertrain.

Based on our experience acquired in F1, energy management and the multimode automatic gearbox offer significant day-to-day versatility while offering performance and economy.

An electric vehicle only has an electric motor and therefore uses the electric powertrain all of the time.
Of course, the 100% electric driving range of an electric car is significantly higher than that of a hybrid car and can be up to 470 km.

A hybrid vehicle operates using a petrol engine combined with one (or more) electric motors, alternating between the three modes of traction (hybrid, petrol and electric) that are made possible by this combination of equipment.

The driving range of an electric car is of course lower than for hybrid vehicles, but it is steadily increasing. Today, up to 470 km is possible in 100% electric driving, with more expected in the near future.

If you have a full hybrid car (or full hybrid E‑Tech), it charges as you drive using kinetic energy and the internal combustion engine. The battery charges totally autonomously as you brake and slow down. However, you can adjust the recovery level to accentuate or reduce the phenomenon.

If you have a plug-in hybrid car, you can also charge it by plugging it into the electricity network, at a public charging point or by charging it at home. 3.7 kW is the maximum power of our vehicle chargers.

Our hybrid vehicles are of course reliable and benefit from our expertise in developing electric powertrains and combustion engines.

Because of their hybrid design, the combustion-powered engine is not used as much during start-up and acceleration, the most impactful phases.

Not only that, the design means that there is no clutch or drive belt, which means less maintenance and lower maintenance costs by limiting replacement parts.

A hybrid vehicle has a combustion-powered engine and one or more electric motor(s). It uses these alternately, depending on the road profile, the required speed and the battery charge level.

Renault’s hybrid vehicles benefit from our wealth of car manufacturer experience in the e-mobility sector. Renault also trains its entire network on the specific features of hybrid vehicles - Renault advisors are already ready to welcome you and assist you with your vehicle maintenance. Lastly, hybrid car traction batteries are guaranteed for 8 years/160,000 km.

A full hybrid car charges as you drive: the driver does not need to do anything! 

Yes, absolutely! A hybrid vehicle continues driving even when its battery is depleted (it then uses petrol power only). Above all, it charges while you drive using kinetic energy and combustion energy generated by the petrol engine.

The driving range of a hybrid vehicle is therefore greater than that of a petrol car, since you can alternate between several energy sources. In town, when the electric motor(s) take(s) over, the internal combustion engine is not used much or at all, which logically saves fuel.

And it goes even further! In the case of the plug-in hybrid, where the battery charges as you drive, as well as by plugging into a charging point, the 100% electric driving range is even greater: at least 50 km on a WLTP cycle and during real-world use between 25 and 65 km depending on the charge and type of road.

Tips for driving your hybrid vehicle and optimising your electric driving range:

• Make the most of the different levels of regenerative braking available: the vehicle recovers the kinetic energy generated when you brake and recharges your hybrid vehicle.
• Activate Eco mode: by limiting or deactivating certain non-essential functions, it helps to reduce your electricity consumption.

Like with a traditional vehicle, smoother driving is also beneficial for your consumption. The electric motor will use less energy and this will therefore increase your driving range.

Make the most of the functions built into your plug-in hybrid vehicle:

• E-nav or predictive hybrid driving: by programming your route, your vehicle anticipates combustion-powered, hybrid or 100% electric driving depending on your route (topography, urban, etc.). This improves your fuel consumption and driving range, as well as your vehicle’s performance.
  
• Cabin preconditioning: preheating the cabin in winter and starting the air conditioning using the preconditioning, which can be programmed via easy link and on openR link, or remotely with the My Renault app, whilst your vehicle is on charge.

You are allowed to fit a towbar on a hybrid vehicle provided that the vehicle being towed is approved. However, it should be noted that the towing capacity of a hybrid vehicle is often lower than a petrol or diesel vehicle with equivalent engine power and torque. Finally, you should remember that towing constitutes an extra load for the vehicle and will consume more energy.

One of the differences that you will notice when driving a hybrid car is having an automatic gear lever. As with an electric car, a hybrid car does not have a manual gearbox or clutch, which saves the driver a lot of effort!

Operation of a hybrid vehicle relies on electric traction, hybrid traction (petrol + electricity) and 100% petrol traction. In terms of sensation, there is no added difficulty for the driver: the whole process of switching from one mode to another is managed automatically.

When the vehicle is in electric traction, driving is smoother, the vehicle offers better pick-up and better acceleration than a combustion-powered car. It is also quieter and you will not have the unpleasant smell of petrol. You will also feel less vibration when driving.

Also remember that there are fewer constraints when driving a hybrid: if the battery is depleted, this type of vehicle will operate solely using the petrol engine, like any standard vehicle with a combustion engine. Finally, if you opt for a full hybrid car, the electrical energy is recharged as you drive.

Of course! A hybrid car can absolutely drive on the motorway, at the same speed and with the same power as a diesel or petrol vehicle.

Indeed, it operates using a petrol engine and one or more electric motors. This combination of equipment allows it to switch between the three modes of traction (hybrid, petrol and electric).

In town, when you drive slowly or stop frequently, your hybrid vehicle will automatically switch to electric traction. As soon as the battery needs to be recharged, or when the topology of the land requires it, the vehicle will switch to hybrid or 100% petrol traction.

On the motorway, when the vehicle is at a steady speed, it is mostly the petrol engine traction that is used. The vehicle then operates just like a petrol car with an automatic gearbox!

If there is a high demand for power and depending on the charge level of the battery, the hybrid mode may kick in.

It all depends on your needs and priorities! Silent and flexible electric vehicles are very pleasant to drive, consume little, require less maintenance and are more environmentally friendly. However, you need to be prepared to charge your electric car regularly using a special charging point. If you drive short distances in an urban environment, an electric car should suit you particularly well and you will make savings: no more wasting petrol or diesel in traffic jams, and charging costs a lot less than a full tank of petrol or diesel.

However, a hybrid vehicle is more flexible, as it uses two types of powertrain. On the motorway, for example, it switches to combustion engine traction and operates like any other petrol car. It does not need to be charged as often as an electric vehicle, or not at all if you choose a full hybrid, which charges as you drive.

You will not need to worry about having access to a power socket, as a full hybrid offers you the pleasure of electric driving without charging.

A hybrid therefore combines the practical aspect of an combustion-powered car and the ecological and economical advantages of an electric car. The 100% electric car is better for the environment and more economical to run, as it only uses electrical energy.

Hybrid vehicles run partly on petrol. Yet hybrids offer many advantages over a diesel vehicle.

With a hybrid, you need to refuel less often and engine maintenance is less costly than for a diesel vehicle. In the long run, the cost of use is therefore lower.
When it uses electric traction, a hybrid car is far more environmentally friendly than a diesel (as it does not emit any CO₂). Hybrid cars are therefore not subject to traffic restrictions during pollution peaks.
Renault offers plug-in hybrids for better performance in electric traction mode. But you can also opt for a full hybrid if you do not want to have to charge your vehicle, in which case the hybrid vehicle will not change how you use your diesel or petrol car (the car will charge as you drive without you having to do anything).

Finally, hybrid cars always have an automatic gearbox, which makes everyday driving easier.

Both!

You can drive either type of vehicle on the motorway without any problems.

A hybrid car drives with one or more electric motors and an internal combustion engine. It alternates between electric traction, hybrid traction (petrol + electricity) and petrol traction. When driving on the motorway, petrol traction will be used to help the vehicle achieve the necessary power. And during this time, the electric battery can recharge using the energy from braking as part of the power from the petrol engine is converted into electric energy!

The two powertrains are similar in terms of the level of comfort and driving. However, the main advantage of a hybrid car is its low consumption compared to petrol models and easier maintenance.

Hybrid vehicles have several types of motors, including a petrol engine that takes over when the car needs more power, such as on the motorway.

By alternating between the electric motor(s) and the petrol engine, a hybrid car uses less fuel, you need to refill less often and the petrol engine suffers less wear! That is the big advantage of a hybrid car over a traditional petrol car. Remember that a hybrid vehicle operates like any petrol car if the battery is depleted: it is therefore flexible and practical.

Also, when it uses electric traction, a hybrid car offers the same benefits as an electric car: it generates less pollution, it is quieter and offers a smoother ride. Like an electric car, it does not have a manual gearbox. And if you drive more than 35,000 km per year, you will quickly recover the purchase price!