Volkswagen Springfield Official Blog
Would you buy a Volkswagen Hybrid?
By Product Expert | Posted in FAQ, VW Features & Technology on Wednesday, November 11th, 2015 at 10:49 pm
Features of Volkswagen hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles
On some level, we all probably realize hybrid, and eventually electric, vehicles are the wave of the future. Oil isn’t a renewable resource, and it only makes sense for us to find a way to power our transportation that is both cheaper and better for the environment. This brings us to electric vehicles, which aren’t practical for many lifestyles, and hybrids. There are many features of Volkswagen hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, but their availability is still missing in the U.S. market.
Benefits of driving a VW hybrid
It’s unfortunate that many drivers in America aren’t able to experience driving a VW hybrid. Why? Because we’re down to just the Jetta Hybrid as an option here! The Touareg was a powerful model that failed to significantly improve in the fuel-economy department, and the plug-in hybrid options are only available overseas. Still, we could see more options coming out in the future, as VW will have to bite the bullet and send them over here if the automaker hopes to compete with others.
So why drive a hybrid? The obvious answer is fuel economy, but did you know there’s a difference between plug-in hybrids and hybrids? Obviously, there’s the whole plug-in aspect, which means an additional ability to charge the battery, and therefore more of an opportunity to use electric energy. In most cases, this isn’t the only thing that’s different. Typically, a plug-in hybrid will also have a larger battery and electric motor, and will run on this source of energy until the battery runs out. Hybrids, on the other hand, frequently use the electric motor as an assist to the engine, and most can’t run on all-electric energy for more than a few miles.
Two different propulsion methods also means more power overall. Running a vehicle in hybrid mode means using both the gasoline engine and the electric motor at once, providing quicker acceleration. Overall, reviewing models like the 2016 Volkswagen Passat GTE, it’s clear plug-ins are an ideal in America. You get more power, impressive fuel economy (this model is said to get as much as 147 mpg) and you feel good knowing you’re driving an environmentally friendly option.
There’s no word yet on whether Volkswagen plans on releasing more hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, but we could easily see this as the future for the company. Remember to check back here at the Volkswagen of Springfield Blog for more information on future releases and automotive news.
