Are you interested in driving a hybrid or an EV? If you’re wondering which would be better, the hybrids vs. EVs conversation has been going on for a few years with some interesting results.
Should you drive an electric vehicle? If you’re environmentally conscious, the short answer is “yes” because they emit no harmful emissions into the environment, but what about the mining processes to gain rare earth elements to make the EV batteries? Should you drive a hybrid vehicle? This might be the balance between gas and electric power, giving you an efficient use of gasoline while also enjoying electric power going through a hybrid motor.
What will you drive?
If you were to purchase an alternative-fuel vehicle, which type would you drive? Are more Americans leaning toward hybrids or EVs? The EV craze was strong and present early in the decade, but has since cooled off. In 2022, nearly 42% of Americans reported they would seriously consider purchasing an electric vehicle, but that figure has since declined. Still, nearly one-third of the Americans surveyed said they would consider a full EV, which is up from last year. The desire for alternative fuel is still pretty strong.
When it comes to hybrid vehicles, more people report that they would likely purchase a hybrid. In fact, that percentage is 45% of those who were surveyed. This means the next time you purchase a vehicle, you might consider buying a hybrid or an electric vehicle. Hybrids still offer the benefits that most drivers desire, which is the ability to refuel quickly and get back on the road.
When it comes to hybrids vs EVs, hybrids have a strong advantage in terms of desire.
What are the pros and cons of hybrid vehicles?
Pros
Environmentally friendly
Hybrid cars are more environmentally friendly than gas-powered cars. This is well understood, especially when you see the fuel efficiency figures listed, which are typically much higher for hybrids than traditional vehicles. You have two options for fuel in PHEVs: gas and electricity.
Cheaper to drive
The fuel savings offered for hybrids make them cheaper to operate. You’ll spend less for fuel, and plug-in hybrid models offer all-electric driving ranges, which allows you to run some errands without using any gasoline. This makes hybrids much cheaper to drive than traditional gas-powered vehicles.
hybrids don’t have range anxiety
When discussing hybrids vs EVs, hybrids have an advantage in terms of range anxiety. This is due to the massive number of gas stations available to refill the gas tank. It’s pretty easy to stop and refuel before the gas tank is empty, just like in a traditional vehicle. EVs haven’t evolved to this level yet. Some can tell you where the next charging station is located, but the infrastructure isn’t in place to support a complete change to EVs yet.
Cons
Higher upfront costs
Most hybrids cost more than traditional vehicles at the time of purchase. The added tech and parts to operate the hybrid components result in higher costs to buy them. You can make up for some of this with the federal tax credit, but that credit is ending soon.
Maintenance is more expensive
Compared to EVs and traditional vehicles, hybrids are the most expensive vehicles to maintain. In terms of hybrids vs. EVs, the electric vehicles are the most affordable to maintain. EVs typically have fewer moving parts than both hybrids and traditional vehicles, which means fewer maintenance appointments, fewer parts to break, and lower maintenance costs.
You control the environmental impact
The environmental benefits of a hybrid vehicle depend on how much fuel you have to use. Traditional hybrids don’t require recharging with electricity, which makes them more efficient and better, but PHEVs are even better for the environment. Unfortunately, the environmental benefits of PHEVs have everything to do with how often you recharge the batteries with electricity and use the all-electric driving range.
Pros and cons of electric vehicles
Pros
- Immediate torque for better performance and power delivery
- Clean driving with zero emissions
- Low maintenance costs thanks to fewer moving parts
Cons
- Battery blues due to limited EV battery lifespan
- Charging hassles thanks to the lack of charging infrastructure
- EVs can’t tow as well as gas-powered vehicles due to immediate range loss
If you’re considering driving a vehicle that uses electricity for some of the driving needs, you’re likely looking at a hybrids vs EVs conversation. Many drivers prefer hybrids thanks to the ability to still use gasoline and continue driving when the EV batteries are depleted, but EVs have the advantage in emissions, maintenance, and power delivery.
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