How Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles Save Money on Fuel

WASHINGTON, DC--December 9, 2013: The website Fuel Economy has added a new animation that explains how plug-in hybrids work and can save you money on fuel. The new animation, available at New Animation, explains that plug-in hybrids reduce fuel costs by using:

* high-capacity batteries that allow them to operate on electricity from the outlet for significant distances-electricity typically costs less than half as much as gasoline

* a larger electric motor than regular hybrids, which typically allows them to use electricity at higher speeds than regular hybrids; and

* regenerative braking to recover energy typically wasted when you apply the brakes.

Plug-in hybrid designs differ, and your driving habits, especially the distance you drive between re-charging, can have a big effect on your fuel bill. To help you decide if a plug-in hybrid might be right for you, the website also provides a plug-in hybrid calculator (Plug-In Hybrid Calculator) that estimates gasoline and electricity costs for any available plug-in hybrid using your driving habits, fuel costs, and charging schedule.