How to Drive a Hybrid Car Efficiently

Fuel-economy and minimal carbon footprint are the selling points of hybrid cars. But, it’s frustrating when you don’t get the fuel economy promised by the automakers. What could possibly go wrong? Well, the simple reason could be your ignorance about how to drive a hybrid car efficiently! Tightening up your driving style by following some simple hybrid car driving tips will help you achieve an impressive fuel economy.

How to Drive a Hybrid Car the Most Efficient Way?

Your personal driving habits affect the performance of your car. Hybrid vehicles are more sensitive than the traditional gasoline-driven cars. So, the bad driving styles are likely to affect them even more.

Follow these suggestions to increase the gas mileage of your hybrid car and improve its overall performance.

hybrid car driving tips
Drive the hybrid car the right way to improve its performance. (photo source: Chevrolet)

Use EV Mode for Short Distances

Running in EV mode means pulling power just from the battery. It creates the potential for highly efficient driving, but you have to utilize the mode carefully. In this mode, the car does not have access to much power that it would have in the normal condition. So, it gives the best results for short distances at low driving speeds. Use it when you are driving in a parking lot, moving the car out of the garage, or driving to a grocery nearby. You will waste the battery power by accelerating in this mode.

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Switch to ECO Mode for Highway Driving

The main purpose of this option is to reduce fuel consumption by decreasing the level of acceleration. However, you can’t achieve the desired effect without knowing how to drive a hybrid car the right way.

ECO mode does not change speed or engine power except for reducing the sensitivity of the accelerator, making it using less fuel. Using this mode for driving situations when you don’t require the accelerator pedal to be particularly sensitive will enhance the fuel efficiency.

Avoid Hard Braking

The abrupt pushing of the brake pedal is harmful to all types of vehicles. In hybrid cars, it results in the loss of power. The frictions in the brakes quickly drain the electricity. The rapid action does not give the regenerative braking system enough time to come into effect and regain the lost energy.

How to drive a hybrid car
Abrupt braking will decrease the mileage. (photo source: Kia)

Regenerative braking will allow you to boost the battery power of your car. You have to reduce the pressure on the pedal when a brake light is visible from a distance to give enough time for the energy to get back into the system. It is mainly possible if you are familiar with the route and can anticipate the stops.

Coasting Will Help

Just like easing off before braking, coasting also helps your hybrid car regenerating the lost energy. A hybrid model can transform any rotational energy into electrical power when the driver takes the foot off the gas pedal. That regained energy will boost the battery power, which in turn, will supply more energy at the time of driving.