Sales of "hybrids" are growing: an auto expert explained what makes these cars good.

      July 29, 2026 14:57 Society Russians have started to buy hybrid cars more frequently, with demand increasing and competition among manufacturers intensifying. Sergey Tselikov, director of the AutoStat agency, noted that plug-in hybrids from Geely are particularly popular, and sales of Evolute I-Space, GAC, and Exeed are also growing. The entire PHEV segment now accounts for nearly 8% of the new passenger car market compared to 5% in the first half of the year. Brands such as Lixiang, Deepal, Zeekr, Lynk & Co, Tank, BMW, and WEY remain on the market. Types of hybrid cars The feature of PHEVs is the presence of a battery that can be charged from an outlet. This allows the use of both fuel and electricity, providing flexibility in choosing the energy source. For example, one can drive part of the distance on the electric motor and then switch to the internal combustion engine. Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of the magazine "Behind the Wheel," noted in a conversation with 360.ru that PHEVs do not require a strict connection to an outlet or gas station, making them convenient to use. However, according to him, fuel consumption in such cars depends on the mode of operation. On long trips without charging stations, the car will primarily run on gasoline, which may reduce fuel efficiency. HEVs are cars that save fuel but do not require plugging into an outlet. All the energy for their electric motor is generated while driving. Such cars are simpler to operate and maintain but less flexible in terms of energy source choice. Hybrid cars also differ by technical type. In series hybrids, the engine is not directly connected to the wheels and only works as a generator. The electricity generated by the engine is used to recharge the battery or to drive the wheels through an inverter. In parallel hybrids, the engine can drive the wheels, as in a traditional car, and charge the battery. Efficiency and maintenance of hybrids Hybrid car manufacturers often promise incredible fuel efficiency. However, as Kadakov points out, behind these figures lies a clever calculation. For example, if you start with a full tank and a full battery, fuel consumption may be low. But if you first use the battery and then only gasoline, fuel consumption will be higher. Moreover, fuel consumption depends on the mode of operation and initial conditions. If you are traveling long distances without the possibility of recharging, a hybrid car may turn out to be less economical than a diesel one. However, when using charging, fuel consumption decreases. Hybrid cars can operate in cold weather, but at low temperatures, all reactions slow down, affecting both the regular battery and the lithium battery. However, there should be no problems in a typical winter. The gasoline consumption of a gasoline car in winter will increase by 10%, while the hybrid battery in electric mode will last not for 200 kilometers, but for 100. However, everything will still work. Maintenance of hybrid cars may be less frequent than that of regular cars. However, this depends on the specific model and manufacturer. There should be no difficulties with reselling hybrids if the car is in good condition and well-known in the market. Hybrid cars are a complex and not inexpensive choice. They offer flexibility in energy use and can be economical with the right mode of operation. However, before purchasing, it is worth considering all the nuances and features of the specific model. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+