Hybrid Cars vs. Electric Cars: Which One Should I Buy?
Hybrid vehicles have been a part of the automotive industry since the 90s, but they really took off after Toyota's Prius was introduced in 2000.
Today, both the hybrid and fully electric vehicle markets are evolving rapidly as demand increases driven by environmental concerns, government incentives and cost savings.
To help you better understand this evolving market and make smarter purchasing decisions, let’s explore the main differences between hybrid and electric cars.
What Are Hybrid Cars?
Full hybrids are vehicles powered by a combination of internal combustion engines and electric motors that use energy from batteries. The electric motor allows the car to run at low speeds while the gas engine drives at higher speeds when needed. Though not entirely run by electricity and requiring gasoline, hybrid vehicles still reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids are two other common types of hybrid cars.
Mild hybrids mainly use a gas engine and have a small electric motor to help make the car more fuel-efficient by generating electricity when coasting and braking. Plug-in hybrids need to be plugged in to charge and have a more powerful electric motor.
Now that we've covered the common types of hybrid cars, let's look at their main pros and cons.
Pros:
Reduced environmental impact
Lower operating costs
Fuel-efficient
Cons:
Not as cheap in the short term
Battery life expectancy
Need to be charged
What Are Electric Cars?
Electric cars don’t need gasoline to operate. Fully run by an electric battery from the electric motor to drive its wheels, EVs are an eco-friendly and cost-efficient option in the long run. These vehicles are plugged into either an EV charging equipment that has 220-240 Volts (10-25 ml per hour of charging), a wall outlet of 120 Volts (2-5 ml of charging per hour) or a charging station with a direct current.
EVs can also use a variety of renewable resources to generate electricity. Since they don’t have an internal combustion engine, a gearbox or a lever, the space these vehicles use is different compared to the conventional gas-powered cars.
Instead of a battery in the front, electric vehicles have a high-power density battery pack with a long lifespan to power up the car as well as a cooler in between to prevent overheating.
The regenerative braking enhances the electric car’s efficiency by increasing the range and reducing the need for external charging. As the car accelerates, it requires more energy. Upon braking, the induction motor converts this energy into electricity, which is then stored in the electric vehicle battery pack for later use.
So, what are the pros and cons of electric cars?
Pros:
Zero emissions
Energy and cost-efficient
Offer incentives and rebates
Cons:
Frontloaded costs and expensive replacement batteries
Requires time to charge
Limited driving range
Hybrid vs. Electric Cars: Key Differences
Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Impact
Transitioning between power sources maximizes both fuel and energy efficiency in hybrid cars. Since EVs don’t need gasoline and don’t produce tailpipe emissions, they are more energy-efficient than hybrids and are considered the most environmentally friendly option among all car types. According to Tesla’s 2022 Impact Report, the company’s customers avoided releasing about 13.4 million metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Hybrid vehicles, on the other hand, emit about 260 grams per mile of CO2 on average. Even though this is less than what regular gasoline cars emit, hybrids still negatively impact the environment compared to EVs.
Purchase Price and Maintenance Costs
When it comes to initial price comparison, hybrids win. Although hybrid cars are more expensive than gas-powered vehicles, they are still cheaper than EVs. The price for new hybrids typically ranges from $24,000-$34,000. Used hybrid vehicles, on the other hand, can be priced as low as under $15,000.
EVs tend to have higher purchase prices, primarily due to the cost of their batteries, with new EVs averaging around $55,544 and used ones around $28,000. Luxury electric vehicles and Tesla’s more expensive cars like Cybertrack can start at $100,000.
Despite their higher purchase price, they are a wise financial choice over the long term. Coltura’s data shows the average EV driver saves $100 a month in fuel and maintenance costs totaling $1200 a year. Since these vehicles have lower operating costs and few parts that require servicing, it costs an average of 8.12 cents per mile to maintain an electric car.
What’s more, government incentives such as tax credits and rebates can reduce the initial cost of EVs.
Driving Range and Charging Infrastructure
When it comes to driving range, hybrid cars boast remarkable mileage as they run on both gas engines and electric motors. Depending on the model, the average hybrid car can go as far as 600 miles on a tank of gas. In this aspect, EVs are not on par with hybrids. Even some of the longest-range EVs like the Lucid Air only hit around 400 miles on a charge.
Hybrid cars are also more convenient for long-distance driving as they don’t rely on charging infrastructure for everyday use. Electric cars, however, fully depend on battery capacity and require charging points, which are rare compared to gas stations that are on basically every street corner.
Performance Comparison and Driving Experience
A key feature that distinguishes the superior performance of EVs from hybrids is the instant torque, which provides maximum power as soon as you hit the accelerator whereas with hybrids and gas-powered cars, power takes time to build. EVs, thus, offer a smoother, consistent and effortless driving experience.
Who Should Choose a Hybrid Car?
If you like the driving experience of a gas-powered car and want something similar, a hybrid car is the right choice. This vehicle is the perfect option if you want to transition from traditional vehicles to hybrids and get acclimated to EVs.
Getting a hybrid car is also a great decision for those planning long-distance drives or living in rural areas with limited charging points.
Despite being more expensive than the average gas-powered car, hybrids remain less expensive than EVs. They also boast lower operating costs and are more beneficial for the environment compared to traditional vehicles.
Who Should Choose an Electric Car?
For short commutes, eco-friendly and cost-conscious drivers with access to charging infrastructure, EVs are the best option. EVs will likely save you money in the long run and offer a smooth, modern driving experience. EV buyers will also be able to take advantage of federal and state incentives.
With more brands offering EVs, there is an option to fit every lifestyle and price range. If you're going for an EV but the purchase price is over your budget, there are great deals on used electric cars.
Conclusion
To make the right decision when purchasing a car, you should understand which option meets your needs and fits your lifestyle the most.
All options contain their downsides. Hybrids are still gasoline cars, albeit with much better fuel efficiency. They still require gasoline and regular maintenance. With no charging points at home or in the surrounding area, using an EV can be inconvenient. The range for EVs can also become an issue for long-distance drivers.
If you are an eco-conscious driver who lives in a city with a robust charging infrastructure, an electric car is the way to go. If you're looking for a balance between efficiency and autonomy, a hybrid car is the perfect option.
Whether you are considering an EV or a hybrid car, make sure to check out UsedCars.com to find the best used car options from dealers across the country.
