Okay, we all get it; fuel costs are killing us. Do you know who it isn’t killing? Automakers who produce electric cars. Unless you live under a rock or refuse to use anything but public transportation, surely you have thought about switching to an electric vehicle, but how many of you have pulled the trigger and done so? There are obvious benefits of owning an EV, whether it has a fully electric motor, is a hybrid vehicle, or is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Like anything, there are also (some) cons when purchasing a vehicle fueled by electric power. The world is inevitably on the path to having only EVs on the road, but what are the pros and cons of hybrid vs electric cars? For the sake of this information, we don’t think it‘s right to pit the two against each other but rather lay out the pros and cons of each. At FFUN Cars, we provide customers with information to find the vehicle best suited to their lifestyle.
Hybrid Vehicles
Simply put, a hybrid car runs on a combination of a gasoline engine and car battery. The batteries are charged by a combination of the internal combustion engine (same that gas-powered vehicles use) and regenerative braking, which is when braking occurs, instead of losing energy, it actually generates it and charges the battery. Hybrid vehicles contain two batteries; a larger battery which powers the vehicle and a smaller battery that does the same as a gas engine car, i.e., lights, stereo, etc. Specific makes and models work differently. For example, Kia hybrids have the gas-powered motor and battery working simultaneously, while Toyota vehicles work opposite each other.
A hybrid may not be the top choice if your primary reason for making a vehicle switch is for the environment. While it produces fewer tailpipe emissions than a complete gas motor, it still does emit some co2 emissions into the air because of the ICE component. On the flip side, you lessen the risk of “range anxiety,” as you always have a fuel tank for when the battery runs out, and you can always stop at a gas station if you plan to take a hybrid on a long road trip.
With all the rage happening around EVs and fully electric motors, we can’t forget who the OG of a non fully gas motor was. Yes, Tesla is Tesla, and we all know they released the first fully electric vehicle; still, it was eight years after the first hybrid was commercially available. We all know that vehicle as the Toyota Prius, which was launched in 2000. As a result of hybrid vehicles being in production longer, it’s much easier to get your hands on a used hybrid car. You can start by searching and purchasing your next new car at FFUN Cars, where we have a wicked lineup of hybrid vehicles, ranging from sedans to SUVs, with makes and models such as the Chevrolet Volt and BMW 5 series.
Plug-In Hybrid Car
A plug-in hybrid vehicle is essentially the same as a hybrid vehicle, with the main difference being the battery is charged by using a charger. When comparing the two types of vehicles, on average, a PHEV has more power due to a larger battery pack. Whether the type of car you drive is a hybrid or PHEV, your carbon footprint is the same since both have gas as one of the power sources. From a driving range perspective, a plug-in hybrid gets anywhere from 24kms to 96km, depending on your PHEV.
Electric Cars
If fuel efficiency is what you are after, it’s a no-brainer, and an electric car is the way to go. Obviously, they have the best fuel economy; they don’t use fuel, duh! Don’t get too excited; as many pros as there are to having an EV, there are a few cons. We’re an optimistic bunch around here, though, so we’ll start with the pros.
The biggest motivator for people buying EVs is the cost of fuel (or lack of). In addition to not having to enter the first stage of bankruptcy to fill your gas tank, an electric vehicle has zero emissions, resulting in not harming the environment the same way gas-powered cars do. If you hate maintenance costs, the good news is there is far less maintenance required on an EV. Since there is no gas motor, there is no fuel equipment such as a fuel pump, fuel line, and fuel tank, so cross those off the maintenance checklist. Plus, there’s no need for oil changes, spark plug replacement or belt repairs. An EV is still a car, though, requiring routine tire maintenance, AC charging, and brake cleaning.
To take advantage of all the perks of owning an EV, the big con is the cost to purchase one. The battery pack is the most expensive part of an electric vehicle, making them more costly than buying a comparable model with a gas motor. That being said, the resale value of EVs is much higher than gas vehicles, and there are loads of incentives such as tax credits and rebates available when you purchase a new EV.
But wait, purchasing one (even if you can afford it) isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Why? Because there aren’t many available. You could, as they say, “kill two birds with one stone” by purchasing a used EV from FFUN Cars. They are less expensive than buying new and (ding, ding, ding) we have them.
If it’s the driving range you are worried about, yes, not all EVs are the best for longer trips, but there are some EVs that get up to 640km per charge. Yes, you will pay for it upfront. That’s not to say you can’t take a road trip using an electric vehicle because you can; you just need to be mindful of where you can find charging stations along the way. Read more about road tripping in an EV here.
We’re going to come out with confidence and say that we are pretty sure we’ve convinced you that the pros far outweigh the cons of owning a hybrid, PHEV, or EV. We are also confident that we can get you rollin’ in one today, even if you’re busy busy. How? Easy; buying your next vehicle at FFUN Cars is designed around convenience. Browse vehicles online, purchase them online, in-store or a combination, and have them delivered to your door. Done. What about financing and test drives, you ask? No problem. You can get approved and finance your vehicle online as well. Oh, we can’t forget to mention, we offer 24-hour test-drives. Not happy with the fuel savings of your new EV, that’s okay. We will pick it up from you, no questions asked because we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
