DUBLIN: ‘New’ and ‘hybrid’ are the two terms that are loosely used by some car manufacturers. These two terms often confuse many customers.
Does a ‘new’ car mean the car has been modified and is an updated version of the existing lineup? Or is it all-new in the sense that almost everything has changed? However, there is a big difference. It will be magnified when people come to trade-in.
When going to buy a car, one person describes an update while the other describes a brand-new vehicle. Sometimes the descriptions get blurred in marketing-speak.
Similarly, the use of the term ‘hybrid’ is also confusing. There is a difference between a ‘full’ and a ‘mild’ hybrid, which in many cases confuses people.
A ‘mild hybrid’ comprises a conventional petrol, or diesel engine, with a low-voltage (48v) battery and an electric motor. At low engine speeds, the battery and motor can provide a small power boost during acceleration. It can also power the air con, radio etc.
However, unlike full hybrids, the electric motor cannot power the car on its own or run in zero-emission mode.