With gas prices ever rising, switching to a car powered differently is perhaps the way to go. At the moment, the most feasible alternatives are electric cars or hybrids. So, which of the two should you choose now?
According to a recent report by analyst by J.P Morgan, by the year 2025, an estimated 30% of all automobiles sold globally will be electrically powered. This is not surprising considering consumer interest in these kinds of cars has been rising since 2014.
Even then, the biggest competition will be the hybrids, which use a combination of fuel and electric motors to power the engine. For most consumers, the headache will be deciding between these two in preparation for the future.
If this sounds like you, this article seeks to make your decision-making easier by comparing both kinds of cars.
Difference between electric and hybrid cars
An electric car, as the name suggests, is a vehicle that uses electricity to power the driving motor. You must plug it in a charging station, just like your phone, to recharge the battery after several miles. Currently, Tesla Model S offers the most mileage with its ability to cover 348 miles after a full charge. Other brands include the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Bolt, which offer 168 and 259 miles respectively.
With an electric vehicle (EV), you don’t require regular maintenance such as changing the engine oil or replacing the fuel and air filters. In fact, common problems under the hood like the engine knocking will be a thing of the past.
The best part? Modern models such as the Tesla Model S can perform just as brilliantly as most top-end automobiles, with the ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.4seconds! All this without emitting carbon dioxide which puts you on the green revolution campaign.
On the other hand, hybrids use both fuel or electricity to power the drivetrain. Unlike an electric vehicle, you won’t require to visit a charging station to power the electric system. Instead, the engine recharges the electric system just like it does the normal car battery.
In this sense, hybrids are considerably more reliable than electric vehicles given that there aren’t enough charging stations yet. It’s unlikely that your vehicle will run out of both fuel and electric charge, which can happen with EVs.
Electric car or hybrid? Things to consider
Practicality
When choosing between a hybrid and an EV, you must first consider whether your area has the must-have facilities and other resources needed to keep the cars on the road.
Do you have access to a charging station – private or public – that you can use to charge your EV? The last thing you want is to drive out of the city only for the battery to die midway through the journey.
The next thing you need to consider is the weather condition in your area. Snowing conditions can quickly deteriorate the electric battery and ultimately reduce the mileage per charge.
As for the hybrids, start by making sure that you have access to knowledgeable mechanics who are familiar with its drivetrain. As with any other vehicle, you’ll require to repair and service it regularly, which can be tricky without the needed expertise nearby.
Price
Both EVs and hybrids are still fairly new in the automotive market, and that means their prices remain high compared to regular cars. A fully-electric vehicle like the entry-level model of the Chevrolet Bolt costs about $30,000. A hybrid car of the same size and performance costs much less.
In addition to the initial cost of purchasing the car, you need to prepare for other expenses. For example, a gas-powered hybrid will require insurance, maintenance, and fuel. On the other hand, prepare to spend more on charging station fees, insurance, maintenance, electric bills, battery service and replacement when using an EV.
The idea here is to assess the more economically viable option before splashing your money on these cars.
Technology
It is no secret that both hybrids and electric vehicles have revolutionized motor technology as we know it. But that complicates things a bit. Their drivetrain systems come with intricate hardware, firmware, and software that could soon have an impact on your independence.
At the moment, Tesla offers free automatic upgrades for all its vehicle technology. Now the question is, will this trend remain when EVs finally become standard? Or will future models charge consumers for these updates? Further, there exists the risk of technological bugs which can significantly affect how your vehicle performs.
If you want to retain some control of your drivetrain’s system, a hybrid may be a better option for you. Even so, if the vehicle develops a problem you can’t fix locally, it might end up being a costly affair.
EVs and hybrids are the future!
Here at Motors on Wheels, we appreciate the transformation that hybrids and EVs are bringing to the world of automobiles. However, we also can’t ignore the fact that there’s still a long way to go before these vehicles can be affordable and practical for the ordinary car buyer.
If you’re ready to jump ship and acquire one for the future, we’d be happy to buy your used car at an unbeatable price. You can also check out our inventory of well-maintained fuel vehicles that you can ride in the meantime as you wait for the prices of EVs to go down.