Electric Car Vs Hybrid Car

Electric Car Vs Hybrid Car: Differences, Benefits & Buying Guide

Electric Car Vs Hybrid Car

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.

Electric Car Vs Hybrid Car

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.

Electric Car Benefits

Five Amazing Benefits Of Electric Cars 

Electric Car Benefits

Over the last few years, the production and availability of electric cars have been on the increase. As more and more manufacturers rush to cater to the rising demand in the EV (electric vehicle) market, consumers are finding themselves in a position where they can access a wider selection of electric vehicles at more competitive prices than ever before. 

The main driving force behind the rising demand for these advanced vehicles is considered to be their many benefits. For instance, these vehicles are better for the environment, offer better fuel economy and fuel savings and also come with a variety of tax incentives. 

If you are interested in buying an electric vehicle and would like to learn more about them before making a final decision, read below for a detailed description of the many benefits of EVs as well as some of the main considerations to keep in mind when shopping around. 

What Is An Electric Car?

Commonly referred to as EVs (electric vehicles), electric cars can be defined as vehicles that are fully or partly powered using electric power. Since they use little to no fossil fuels, these vehicles are more environmentally friendly than conventional petrol and diesel-powered vehicles. Furthermore, they tend to have lower maintenance costs because they come with fewer moving parts. 

In the past, some EVs were powered by nickel hydride and lead-acid batteries. However, today’s advanced and high performing EVs are powered by lithium-ion batteries – which not only last longer but are better at retaining their charge.  

There are two main types of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and fully electric variants. 

Benefits Of Electric Cars 

Cheaper To Run And Maintain: While the cost of buying an EV is slightly higher than that of other comparable petrol and diesel cars, special government grants and tax incentives go a long way towards making their prices highly competitive. When you factor in the lower cost of electricity, enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance costs of these vehicles, owning one becomes much cheaper than owning their traditional counterparts. 

Owing to the fact that they have fewer moving parts, EVs are easier to maintain. In fact, there are minimal repair and maintenance costs involved when it comes to electric cars compared to their traditional internal combustion engine rivals. 

Electric Car Benefits

Better For The Environment: Driving electric cars is better for the environment, period! Fully electric cars have zero greenhouse gas emissions. Plug-in hybrids on the other hand are also good for the environment as they come with a more efficient engine and can cover up to or even more than 50 km on electric charge alone. 

It is also worth noting that technological advancements in the field of EV design, especially with regard to more efficient and quieter running electric motors and more eco-friendly batteries will only make driving EVs much better for the environment in the years to come.      

Unique Driving Experience: If you would rather enjoy a quieter, more relaxing and comfortable ride when driving, you should definitely consider getting an electric car. Driving an electric car also gives you instant torque right at your fingertips. As soon as you hit the accelerator, you can expect to get a burst of speed from the vehicle. 

Lastly, these cars handle well around curves and corners, thanks to the balanced weight distribution provided by the floor-mounted batteries.  

Convenient Charging At Home: You can charge your EV in the comfort of your home. All you need is to have an all-weather charging station installed right outside your house. While it may take several hours to fully charge up your vehicle when using a regular charging unit, opting for one of the fast-changing stations on offer will ensure that you can get your vehicle charged up to 80 per cent in less than an hour.   

Improved Energy Security: EVs play an essential role in helping countries improve their energy security status. Simply put, these vehicles can be powered by electricity generated from a variety of energy sources, including renewable energy sources. These vehicles also use regenerative braking to recapture energy lost during braking. All these factors come together to help countries reduce their overall reliance on imported petroleum products.    

How Much Can I Save?

You can make significant savings over the period of ownership when you choose to drive an EV. In fact, powering an EV costs 70 per cent less than powering/fueling traditional internal combustion petrol or diesel cars, according to Australia’s Electric Vehicle Council. This translates to average annual savings of $1,600 on fuel costs alone. 

Furthermore, the maintenance costs of EVs are lower than those associated with traditional diesel or petrol cars. The average maintenance cost of EVs is estimated to be around 2 cents per kilometre, while that of traditional diesel and petrol cars is estimated to be around 7 cents per kilometre, according to the Electric Vehicle Council. 

You can also add the various subsidies offered for EVs across the different states in Australia to get a better idea of how much you stand to save by choosing to buy an EV.  

These savings can add up to significant amounts over the useful life of the vehicle. 

Things To Consider When Buying Electric Cars 

To ensure that you end up making the right final buying decision, and with it, get value for your money, it is important to consider a few important factors when buying electric cars. 

Start by thinking about what you need. Today’s EV market is quite diverse; you can find just about any type of car or brand you want. Available options include affordable and economical options in the compact segment, right through to high-end brands that offer performance and luxury – including trucks, SUVs and high-end sports cars. 

Once you have settled on a vehicle type, you should think about the car’s range as well as your charging options. With EV models now covering between 100 and 200 or more kilometres on a full charge, owners have more freedom on where they can have their vehicle charged. Your options include using public charging stations or charging at home using a special outlet. 

Other considerations you might want to consider include the length of the manufacturer’s warranty, car brand and cost. 

Final Thoughts

Driving electric cars helps reduce carbon emissions and air pollution and helps owners save on running and maintenance costs among others. When shopping for an EV, it is important to consider a few important factors to ensure that you end up with the perfect fit.   

Buy Electric Vehicle Chargers At Get Electric 

Once you get an EV, you will need to have a suitable electric car charger for swift, easy and convenient charging at home. To get an electric vehicle charger linked to your home’s power supply, be it from the national grid or your home’s solar power system (if installed), contact us at Get Electric.

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.