Buyers these days are spoiled for choice when it comes to hybrids and EVs. We’ll discuss both and let you decide before heading to your local car dealership.
With both selections offering a reduced impact on the environment, not to mention huge savings when it comes to the gas pump, it can be difficult to choose which one is right for you at your nearby car dealership.
Hybrid vs. Electric Car
A hybrid vehicle utilizes a standard internal combustion engine in conjunction with an electric power system, most commonly a battery. The battery and engine work in tandem, effectively reducing the load on each system and improving fuel mileage at the same time. On the other hand, an electric car is powered solely by batteries and electric motors, using stored electric charge as fuel and producing zero tailpipe emissions. Below are some basic factors to consider when deciding between hybrid and electric.
Purchase Price
At this point, most electric cars cost more than a hybrid-powered car, although certain EVs are currently eligible for a tax credit of up to $7,500 which can help offset the up-front price of an electric vehicle.
Maintenance
When we think about vehicle maintenance, the first thing that comes to mind is oil changes. Without any sort of internal combustion engine, an electric vehicle doesn’t need engine oil changes which can save quite a lot of money, especially if you are putting a lot of miles on your vehicle. Hybrid cars tend to cost more than EVs in routine maintenance, still requiring regular oil changes.
Fueling
The act of fueling an electric car or hybrid car varies greatly. With an electric car, most owners simply plug their vehicle into their home upon returning, leave it to charge overnight and repeat the next day. Hybrids still need to fuel up at a gas station. While the at-home convenience of EV charging sounds great, it’s important to consider the fact that nationwide EV charging infrastructure is still lacking in some areas. A mistake in route planning could leave you stranded with a dead car and no chargers. A hybrid car can take advantage of any old gas station, and keep you going down the road.
Operating Cost
As stated previously, an electric vehicle doesn’t use any sort of fuel besides an electric charge. Typically, charging an electric car every day costs less than filling up a hybrid at the gas pump. Based on common trends, an EV costs roughly $700 a year to charge while a typical hybrid costs about $1,100 to fuel annually.
It’s important to take some time to figure out whether an EV or hybrid matches your needs and lifestyle best. Armed with the information in this article, which one do you think would benefit you most?
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