Renault has become one of the manufacturers most closely associated with hybrid technology in Europe, using its E-Tech powertrains across a growing range of cars alongside its expanding line-up of fully electric vehicles.
But not every Renault hybrid works in the same way. Most of the company’s electrified models use full hybrid technology that doesn’t need to be plugged in, while the Renault Rafale is also available with a more powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of travelling significant distances using electricity alone.
Understanding the difference between these technologies is useful if you’re considering buying a hybrid car. A full hybrid and a plug-in hybrid both combine a petrol engine with electric power, but the way they are charged and the way they are best used can be quite different.
Renault’s approach also provides an interesting example of how manufacturers are managing the transition from petrol and diesel cars towards fully electric vehicles.
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What Is a Renault E-Tech Full Hybrid?
Renault’s E-Tech full hybrid system combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and a relatively small battery.
Unlike a plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicle, a full hybrid doesn’t need to be connected to an external charger. The battery is replenished while the vehicle is being driven, including through regenerative braking, which recovers some of the energy that would otherwise be lost when the car slows down.
The car can use its petrol engine, electric motor or a combination of both depending on factors such as speed, acceleration and the amount of charge available in the battery.
At lower speeds, particularly in urban traffic, the vehicle may be able to move using electric power for periods of time without the petrol engine running. When more power is required or battery charge falls, the petrol engine can operate automatically.
This makes a full hybrid relatively straightforward for drivers who want some of the benefits of electrification without needing access to a home or public charging point.
If you’d like to understand the technology in more detail, our guide to how hybrid cars work explains the basic principles behind hybrid powertrains.
What Is a Plug-In Hybrid?
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, usually shortened to PHEV, also combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. The major difference is that it normally uses a much larger battery that can be charged from an external electricity supply.
That larger battery allows a PHEV to travel much further using electric power alone than a conventional full hybrid.
For drivers who regularly charge the vehicle, this can make it possible to complete many shorter journeys without using much petrol. The combustion engine remains available for longer journeys, meaning drivers don’t have to rely entirely on charging infrastructure when travelling greater distances.
The advantage depends heavily on how the vehicle is used, however. A plug-in hybrid carries the additional weight of its larger battery and electrical system, so regularly charging it is important if the owner wants to make the most of its potential efficiency.
Full Hybrid vs Plug-In Hybrid: What’s the Difference?
The simplest difference is charging.
A full hybrid charges its battery as you drive and doesn’t need to be plugged in. Its electric motor assists the petrol engine and can power the vehicle independently for shorter periods.
A plug-in hybrid has a larger battery designed to be charged externally. When sufficiently charged, it can travel considerably further using electricity before the petrol engine is required.
This means the best choice can depend heavily on an owner’s circumstances.
A driver without convenient access to charging may find a full hybrid easier to live with because there is no need to change their normal refuelling routine. Someone who can regularly charge at home and makes frequent shorter journeys may be able to take greater advantage of the electric-only capability offered by a PHEV.
Neither technology should therefore be viewed automatically as better for every driver. How far you travel, where you drive and whether you can charge regularly are all important considerations.
Does Renault Still Make Plug-In Hybrids?
Yes. Renault currently offers the Rafale with both full hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains in the UK.
The Rafale E-Tech full hybrid uses a 200hp powertrain, while the more powerful E-Tech 4×4 300 plug-in hybrid combines a petrol engine with electric motors and a substantially larger rechargeable battery.
Renault states that the plug-in hybrid Rafale uses a 22kWh battery and can provide up to 65 miles of electric driving range under official test conditions. As with any quoted electric range, the distance achieved in everyday driving can vary according to factors including temperature, driving style, speed and vehicle load.
This is important because earlier reports suggested Renault could move away from plug-in hybrids and concentrate primarily on self-charging hybrid technology. The company’s current range demonstrates why automotive strategies shouldn’t always be treated as fixed. Manufacturers continually adjust their powertrain plans as technology, regulation and customer demand change.
Why Is Renault Focusing So Heavily on Hybrid Technology?
Hybrid cars provide manufacturers with a way of reducing fuel consumption and emissions while customers gradually move towards fully electric vehicles.
Renault has developed its E-Tech technology as an important part of that transition. Full hybrids can be particularly useful for drivers who want improved efficiency without needing to plug in, while plug-in hybrids can provide considerably greater electric-only capability for motorists able to charge regularly.
At the same time, Renault continues to invest heavily in fully electric vehicles. Rather than treating hybrid and electric cars as completely separate strategies, the technologies form different parts of the manufacturer’s wider electrification plans.
Renault’s current strategy indicates that fully electric vehicles will remain central to its European range while full hybrid technology continues to play an important role during the transition.
What Happens to Hybrid Cars After 2030?
There is sometimes confusion around what the UK’s transition to electric vehicles means for hybrid cars.
The current plan is to end sales of new cars powered solely by petrol or diesel from 2030. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars can continue to be sold alongside zero-emission vehicles between 2030 and 2035, subject to the regulations applying during that period.
From 2035, the government’s stated objective is for all new cars and vans to be zero emission.
These rules concern the sale of new vehicles. They do not mean existing petrol, diesel or hybrid cars suddenly become unusable, and the used-car market will continue to contain vehicles using different types of powertrain for many years.
If you’re interested in how manufacturers are approaching this transition, you can also read our guide to hybrids that are expected to remain on sale until 2035.
Which Type of Hybrid Might Suit You?
Choosing between a full hybrid and plug-in hybrid is less about which technology is superior and more about how the vehicle will actually be used.
A full hybrid may make sense if you don’t have convenient access to charging, regularly drive in towns and cities, or simply want an electrified vehicle that can be refuelled in much the same way as a conventional petrol car.
A plug-in hybrid may be more attractive if you can charge regularly and your everyday journeys fall comfortably within the vehicle’s electric range. Used in that way, many routine journeys can potentially be completed primarily on electricity while the petrol engine remains available when travelling further.
Anyone considering either type should look beyond headline fuel economy figures and consider their own mileage, charging arrangements, purchase price, running costs and likely ownership period.
The Changing Role of Hybrid Cars
Renault’s evolving approach illustrates how quickly vehicle technology and manufacturer strategies can change.
Full hybrids remain an important part of the company’s range, plug-in hybrid technology continues in the Rafale, and Renault is simultaneously expanding its fully electric line-up. Over the longer term, the balance between those technologies is likely to continue changing as battery technology, charging infrastructure, regulation and customer demand develop.
For motorists, the important point is to understand what each powertrain actually does rather than choosing a car simply because it carries a hybrid or electric badge.
If changing technology has you wondering what your existing vehicle is worth, you can get an estimate using jamjar’s free online car valuation tool.