Mild hybrids and full hybrids are built to be more energy efficient than traditional gasoline or diesel cars. However, they differ in how they integrate electrical technology and in their overall performance.

Soft hybrids

Mild hybrid cars are equipped with a small electric motor and battery, but electrical assistance is limited. The electric motor usually assists the main gasoline or diesel engine during acceleration and restores kinetic energy during braking to charge the battery. Thus, the electric motor cannot independently move the car over long distances.
Advantages. Electric assistance helps reduce the load on the internal combustion engine, which can lead to better energy efficiency and therefore fuel economy. By reducing fuel consumption, mild hybrid vehicles can also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. These systems also generally cheaper than full hybrid systemswhich can make these cars more affordable for consumers.
Disadvantages. On the other hand, soft hybrid systems offer lower fuel economy compared to full hybrids, as electrical assistance is limited. Mild hybrid cars still rely heavily on the internal combustion engine, meaning no not so environmentally friendly than all-electric or all-hybrid vehicles.

Complete hybrids

There are full hybrid cars a more powerful electric motor and a larger capacity battery compared to mild hybrids. They can operate in all-electric mode at low speed and on several tens of kilometersand the electric motor can also assist or replace the internal combustion engine during acceleration or high power situations.
Advantages. Full hybrids generally provide greater fuel economy than mild hybrids due totheir ability to work over long distances in pure electric mode and better energy recovery during braking. Thanks to a more powerful electric motor, full hybrids can also operate at higher speeds in electric mode better acceleration in hybrid mode.
Disadvantages. Full hybrid cars tend to be more expensive to purchase due to their more complex technology. In fact, these systems can too lead to higher maintenance costs and more complex repairs in case of failure. Finally, thanks to a larger battery and a more powerful electric motor, full hybrids often weigh more compared to traditional cars, which can affect handling and fuel consumption in certain situations.

So the choice between one or the other will depend on your individual needs for performance, fuel economy and budget.

Read also:

Steps for obtaining a registration document online

Conversion bonus: how does it work?

Electric cars: will they soon be equipped with “lime” manual transmissions?