Hybrid vs Fully Electric – What’s Best for Me?
Hybrid Car
The car market over the years has experienced a big transformation, with an increasingly larger group of drivers choosing environmentally friendly cars. Two of the most in demand in a quest for cleaner driving include fully electric and hybrid cars. But when choosing between them, it can become a little difficult to make a selection. Two cars have both strong and weak aspects about them. So, in case you're torn between a fully electric and a hybrid car, in this article, we will introduce to you both the positive and negative factors about both in an attempt to evaluate which one will best suit your requirements and your life.
Learning about the Fundamentals: Hybrid vs Fully Electric
To begin with, let’s make a simple differentiation between fully electric and hybrid cars.
Hybrid Cars: Hybrid cars have a traditional petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor together in one car. The electric motor can drive the car at slow speeds, but when additional power is required, for instance, during acceleration and during long distance driving, then a traditional petrol engine takes over. The battery is recharged through regenerating during a break and through its use of its engine, and therefore, one doesn’t have to plug in the car.
Fully Electric Cars: As one can probably guess, fully electric cars run purely through electricity in an attempt to run them. They run off massive batteries, and one will have to charge them with a charging point or at one’s property. Fully electric cars have no emissions, and therefore, no tailpipe emissions at all.
Now, let’s go through in detail about both of them.
White Car Charging
The Advantages of Hybrid Cars
Increased Range
One of the most impressive aspects of hybrid cars is that they can cover long journey times and not run out of charge. Having a petrol engine and an electric motor, you can drive for many hundred miles, even when a charging point is not nearby.
Lowered Fuel Consumption
Hybrid cars use less fuel compared to conventional petrol cars and even diesel cars. With an electric motor, you can burn less fuel, save money at the pumps, and have a reduced carbon footprint.
No Need for Charging Points
Hybrid cars, having a petrol drive, don’t depend on charging infrastructure, and therefore, it’s not a problem even when a charging point is not nearby, particularly when living in an environment with fewer charging options, or when driving long distances for work regularly.
Lower Emissions than Conventional Cars
Not totally emissions free, but less pollutant-emitting, cars with a hybrid drive produce fewer emissions compared to conventional cars with a petrol or diesel drive, and therefore, an ideal car for environmentally friendly car owners, yet not committing to a totally electric car.
Black Hybrid Car
The Advantages of a Fully Electric Car
Zero Emissions
A fully electric car doesn’t have any emissions at all, and therefore, one of the most environmentally friendly cars out in the market today. For environmentally friendly car owners, one of the biggest factors in its sales, particularly in urban locations with poor air, is zero emissions.
Lowered Running Costs
Electric cars have less maintenance cost compared to a hybrid car and conventional cars. There’s no necessity for an oil change, and parts in its driveline (e.g., gearbox and exhaust system) are less complex in terms of maintenance and cost, and even a reduced price for its source of fuel, i.e., electricity, compared to a conventional car, and therefore, your overall cost in driving is less.
Tax Breaks and Incentives
Governments across the globe are offering incentives for car owners to switch over to fully-electric cars. Tax rebates, free parking, toll evasion, and incentives could make them an ideal alternative for most of them. Subject to your location, driving an electric car can save a lot of your money.
Smooth and Silent Ride
Electric cars have a quieter and smoother drive than traditional cars and even cars with a technology of a hybrid car. With no combustion unit, driving is quiet, and acceleration is rapid and even, and your journey will become a pleasure to undertake.
Quick Charging (For Certain Cars)
Fast-charging infrastructure is developing, and many new cars can charge to a useful level in a matter of a few minutes. With your car’s battery capacity, a fully charge can be gained at public charging stops in under 30 minutes.
Urban Electric Car Charging Station in Glasgow
Which One is Best for You?
The alternative between a fully-electric car and a car with a technology of a hybrid car is a matter of your driving practice, your life, and your preference. Let’s divide who can gain most with each alternative:
Go for a Hybrid when…
You drive long routes regularly or drive long trips regularly and don’t have any concern about charging locations.
You prefer a cleaner car alternative to a traditional petrol car but don’t have an urge for a fully switch to an electric car yet.
You don’t have a convenient location at your residence for a charging point at your residence or prefer refuel at a petrol outlet.
You prefer a balanced alternative providing a mix of economy and ease.
Go for a Fully Electric Car when…
You're committed to go green and have a zero-emission car.
You have a convenient charging arrangement at your residence or have access to many public charging locations
You want lower maintenance costs and are ready for a car with fewer moving parts.
You make shorter trips most of the time and can enjoy reduced car costs and a butter-smooth drive.
Final Thoughts
Both fully-electric and hybrid cars have a strong case, and it will depend on your driving and your life style. Seeking a cleaner car but don't have to change your driving style, a hybrid could be your dream car. But, if willing to go fully switch and enjoy government incentives, lowered costs, and no emissions, then an electric car could be your dream car.
Either way, whatever your preference, both options make for a cleaner environment, and you're in for a winner with lowered maintenance costs and state-of-the-art technology with both fully-electric and hybrid cars. Not yet convinced? Have a try-out in both and see which one feels most like your dream car!
Keen to switch?
Browse a range of both fully-electric and hybrid cars out there today and choose your dream car for your needs. And, have a look at one-off deals and incentives to make your new, environmentally friendly driving life easier and less costly. Check out new releases and drive your dream car with a cleaner conscience today.
