Hybrids and electric cars – two similar yet different paths towards the green land of emission-free driving.
Both aim to improve the environment. Both make use of electric power. Both differ from standard internal combustion engine cars (petrols and diesels).
So what's the difference exactly when it comes to hybrid vs electric cars? And do you go fully green or do you settle for the more familiar feel of a hybrid car?
What is an Electric Car?
Think of it like a giant mobile phone that you drive.
Like any mobile phone, you've got to charge an electric car in order for it to function.
An electric car's motor is able to draw charge from a stack of rechargeable batteries. These are typically found under the floor of the car, but they could also sometimes be found in the engine.
Then you get Fuel Cell electric vehicles (or hydrogen cars, as they're sometimes known), which are basically electric cars on steroids. These make use of a fuel cell that takes liquid hydrogen, converting it into electrical energy. Unfortunately, there aren't many hydrogen cars available to lease.
What is a Hybrid Car?
A hybrid car is pretty much halfway between an electric car and a standard petrol or diesel vehicle.
Hybrid cars combine an internal combustion engine (either petrol or diesel) with an electric motor. That's different from electric vehicles, which run solely on electricity stored in their batteries.
And to confuse things further, you also get 2 types of hybrid: plug-in hybrids and self-charging (more on those in a bit).
As the best example, the Toyota Prius is arguably the most famous hybrid car in the car market.
One thing that's the same with electric cars though is that once the battery runs low, you recharge it, and then off you go again.
Plug-in Hybrids
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) goes a bit further than a normal hybrid.
Quite literally.
Like normal hybrids, plug-ins also operate on both an electric battery and a normal engine. The difference is that their batteries deliver a longer electric range than standard hybrids, meaning it'll be a longer time before the petrol/diesel engine kicks in. So you're basically getting more mileage with a plug-in hybrid.
Another difference is the battery recharging capability. A plug-in hybrid might be able to receive a little charge through regenerative braking (taking the heat created through the braking process and converting it into electricity that the electric battery can store), but since a plug-in car has a larger battery that it relies on more, it needs to be connected to an external power source in order to recharge fully.
So basically, a plug-in hybrid has the same philosophy as a full hybrid, only it adds a much bigger battery that can be charged via a plug. As with regular hybrids, the batteries and engine can drive the wheels together or independently.
Hybrid Cars:
1. Backup Engine: Dual Power Sources:
Hybrid cars make use of both an electric motor and a standard gasoline engine.
The gasoline engine powers the car at higher speeds or at times when greater power is required, whereas the electric motor assists during low-speed acceleration or driving.
2. Fuel Efficiency:
Hybrids are renowned for being more fuel-efficient when compared against conventional petrol and diesel vehicles.
During deceleration, regenerative braking systems capture 'lost' energy and store it in the battery, further improving the fuel economy.
3. Reduced Emissions:
Yes, hybrids may emit fewer pollutants than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, but they still rely on gasoline, resulting in a certain level of tailpipe emissions.
4. No Range Anxiety:
You can continue driving on the petrol or the diesel engine when it kicks in after the battery charge runs out. And because of that, you don't face the same range limits that are associated with fully electric drivers.
5. Lower Upfront Costs:
Generally speaking, hybrids have a lower initial purchase price when compared against fully electric vehicles.
This greater affordability helps make hybrid cars an attractive option if you're a budget-conscious driver.
Electric Cars:
1. Battery-Powered:
Electric cars are powered solely by electric motors that are powered by rechargeable batteries.
They don't rely on gasoline, meaning tailpipe emissions are reduced, and the dependence on fossil fuels is totally removed.
2. Zero Emissions:
Electric vehicles emit zero tailpipe emissions, making them a transportation option that is environmentally-friendly.
They contribute to cleaner air and contribute greatly to mitigating the adverse effects of global climate change.
3. Charging Infrastructure:
Electrics need access to charging stations for you to be able to recharge the battery.
Accessibility to charging infrastructure may differ depending on location, which can affect your decision to lease an electric vehicle.
4. Range Considerations:
The range of electric cars has been steadily increasing, though some models may still have limitations when compared with hybrids.
Factors like driving habits and battery capacity all influence the range of an electric vehicle.
5. Lower Operating Costs:
An electric car has lower operating costs over a long period of time when compared with hybrids and gasoline vehicles.
That's because electricity is generally cheaper than gasoline fuel. Plus, electric vehicles have less maintenance requirements than more simple drivetrains.
Disadvantages of Electric Cars
More expensive than hybrids and petrol/diesel cars: That's partly because hybrids have smaller batteries than electric cars, therefore lowering the price.
Slower performance: Yes, electric cars might be able to accelerate faster than most petrol cars, but they still aren't as fast overall as a lot of them.
Quoted range: The official range provided by the manufacturer isn't always totally accurate, as you're unlikely to achieve it in the real world. That said, it's still generally about in the right area, but treat it with a pinch of salt. Cold weather, topography (the lay of the land) and driving style can all 'cut down' the official range.
Charging access: If you don't have regular access to a garage, driveway or off-street parking, then you might struggle to charge an electric car at home. And whilst the public charging network is getting better all the time, some parts of the country are still underserved.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Cars
More limited electric range: Usually it's up to 60 miles in today’s hybrids, which is obviously much less range than that provided by the longest range electric cars.
No government grants available: These are usually only offered to drivers of full electric cars.
Still more expensive than a petrol or diesel car: Even if they're less expensive than fully electric cars.
What Does the Future Hold?
Good things for electric cars, that's for sure.
And slightly less good things for hybrids, but they'll still be around.
Volkswagen, for example, plans to offer an electric version of every one of its cars by 2030, with Jaguar, Ford and Toyota all making similar pledges. Meanwhile, the UK government has committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 (the original planned date was 2030).
Summary
So there you have it: the main differences between hybrid and electric cars, as well as their respective strengths and weaknesses.
The bottom line is that both hybrid and electric vehicles offer a compelling choice for a lease, especially if you're keen to reduce your carbon footprint. Arguably though, hybrids offer a more familiar driving experience if you've just switched from a diesel or a petrol. But electric cars are the go-to choice if you want to go the full way.
Ultimately, the choice is yours!
FAQs
Is it better to have an electric or hybrid car?
Whether it's better to have an electric or hybrid car can depend on your exact needs, but generally electric vehicles top hybrids in most aspects. That being said, hybrid vehicles still achieve higher fuel-efficiency ratings than a petrol or diesel car.
What is the downside of hybrid cars?
Some of the drawbacks to having a hybrid car include higher upfront costs, expensive maintenance costs, and fossil fuel emissions that are still relatively high, seeing as how they aren't running solely on electricity.
Which is more economical hybrid or electric car?
An electric car can be more economical when it comes to driving short distances. Plus, electric recharging works out cheaper than fuel prices, meaning that recharging an electric car to full will be cheaper than filling up your hybrid part of the way with petrol or diesel.