Electric Car Vs Hybrid Car: Differences, Benefits & Buying Guide
Electric cars have completely upended the auto industry. The future is already here. Almost all the manufacturers have either introduced electric car models or are going to introduce some in the next few years. Unfortunately, charging infrastructure hasn’t kept up with the number of electric vehicles on the road. Also, fast charging is still a problem waiting for a decent solution.
Planning long commutes with an electric vehicle is still a challenging exercise as you need to figure out the availability of chargers before taking a long trip. On the other hand, electric cars are also environmentally friendly and cost a lot less to run. However, range anxiety is a big concern, especially for long commutes.
A hybrid car gives you the best of both worlds. It features an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The car automatically switches between the ICE Engine and the electric motor depending on speed and efficiency and other such parameters. Such a car allows you to experience the best of both technologies. Another big benefit of a hybrid car is that you don’t need to worry about range.
What Is an Electric Car?
An electric car is powered by electricity in place of fossil fuels. It uses an electric motor to propel the car forward and this electric motor is powered by a huge battery system which is typically made up of lithium-ion cells.
What Is a Hybrid Car?
The hybrid car incorporates both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. There are different types of hybrid cars including a series or parallel hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and a mild hybrid car. The parallel hybrid cars are the most popular in Australia. In a parallel hybrid system, the internal combustion engine drives the car with occasional help from the electric motor. Usually, the electric motor takes over when the car comes to a stop.
A plug-in hybrid features a bigger battery which results in longer drives on electric power alone. A plug-in hybrid is more environmentally friendly compared to a hybrid car but the big advantage of a parallel hybrid is that it is simpler to use. You just need to fill it up with petrol and use it as a regular ICE car.
Benefits of Owning an Electric Car
While electric cars have been available for more than 2 decades, this category of cars has come into its own only in recent years. While Australians have been slow to warm up to electric cars things are quickly changing, especially with cheaper options. If you are thinking about buying an electric car, here’s what you should know about the benefits of owning an electric car:
- Environmentally friendly
- Saves money
- Cheaper and less frequent maintenance
- Almost silent
- High energy efficiency
- Easier to drive
- Government discounts and rebates
Some electric cars have less than 20 moving parts whereas a typical ICE car has more than 200 moving components. Needless to say, electric cars require much less maintenance which makes them cheaper to run. Also, electric cars are much more fuel-efficient compared to traditional vehicles. An electric car is smoother to drive as you don’t need to change gears frequently. These cars also have a low centre of gravity that helps with handling.
Benefits of Owning a Hybrid Car
Hybrid cars combine the benefits of a conventional ICE car and pure electric vehicles. One of their biggest advantages is reduced costs compared to regular internal combustion engine cars. These are also environmentally friendly and provide a smoother operation. Here’s a list of some of the major benefits of owning a hybrid car:
- Get rid of range anxiety
- Cheaper compared to pure electric vehicles
- Don’t need to wait for charging
- No need to make special plans for a long commute
- Extremely fuel-efficient
- Environmentally friendly
- Excellent performance
One of the biggest advantages of owning a hybrid car is that you don’t need to go out of your way to plan a long drive. Just fill-up the tank and take your car anywhere and take advantage of the existing fuel infrastructure. These cars are also much cheaper compared to pure electric cars. In fact, hybrids are the perfect choice for city driving
Things to Consider When Buying Electric Cars
Thanks to the increasing consumer awareness and demand for electric cars, several manufacturers have introduced a variety of models or are planning to introduce new models soon. However, not all electric cars are made equal. Here’s what you need to consider when buying an electric car:
- Range of the vehicle
- Used or new
- Warranty terms
- Charging requirements
- Nearby charging infrastructure
- Type of home charger
One of the most important things you need to consider is the operating range of the vehicle. Most EVs available these days have an operating range of 200 to 400 km. If your average daily commute is less than 100 kilometres a day, you won’t need to worry about range anxiety but if you drive a lot more regularly, an electric vehicle might not be right for you. Also, pay special attention to the battery warranty.
Things to Consider When Buying Hybrid Cars
While there are a lot of hybrid car models available in the market, there are some things you need to consider to choose the right one for your specific requirements. First and foremost, you should know that there are different types of hybrid cars including parallel hybrid cars, series hybrid cars, range-extended hybrids and micro hybrids. All these have their own advantages and limitations.
Here’s a list of the things you should consider when buying a hybrid car:
- Choose a type based on your driving needs
- Battery capacity
- Resale value
- Maintenance cost
- Fuel efficiency
Final Thoughts
Overall, both electric vehicles and hybrid cars are better options than a conventional ICE car. Hybrid cars offer the best of both worlds and are a great choice for city driving where you need to stop and start frequently. Electric vehicles are also a great option and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that EVs are the future. The only thing that’s keeping EVs from becoming dominant is the lack of infrastructure but it is slowly changing. If you can charge at home and don’t need to worry about range, an electric vehicle is right for you. Hybrid cars are generally cheaper compared to pure electric vehicles and you do not get range anxiety with hybrid cars.
Buy Electric Vehicle Chargers At Get Electric
Electric vehicles are the future. They cost way less in terms of fuel consumption and car maintenance due to a negligible number of moving parts. Eventually, you will save money with an electric car even though the upfront cost is a bit more as compared to traditional vehicles.
If you already have an electric car or are planning to buy an electric car, check out the range of electric vehicle chargers at Get Electric. Our collection of innovative electric charges for cars offers a lot more flexibility and allows you to save money with its energy-saving features.
Please call us today on 1800 GET NOW to learn more about our EV charging and infrastructure solutions or leave an enquiry and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.