ExecutiveChronicles.com | Electric and Hybrid Cars: What Are the Differences? | There is a lot of talk these days about electric and hybrid cars, but how are they different?
We all know that electric cars are the future, but where do hybrid cars fit in, and are they even considered electric cars? If you’ve found yourself asking some of these questions, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll explain the difference between electric cars and hybrid cars.
What Is an Electric Car?
An electric car runs completely on an electric charge. Therefore, petrol or diesel is never used to power an electric car. Instead, electric cars store the electricity in batteries.
Popular electric cars are:
- Tesla Model S
- Nissan Leaf
- Renault Zoe
More and more electric cars are coming out every year, and they are set to revolutionize the way people get around in the near future.
Some of the advantages of electric vehicles are that they are safer for the environment, are cost-effective due to government subsidies, and are very efficient and quiet.
Meanwhile, some drawbacks are that they can take hours to recharge, making them a difficult car to use on a long road trip. While rapid electric chargers allow refueling in 30 minutes, this is still a major consideration when choosing an electric car.
What Is a Hybrid Car?
A hybrid car uses both petrol and electricity to propel the car forward. Hybrid vehicles charge their batteries using a petrol engine. So while the car uses petrol, it also uses electricity — thus the name hybrid.
You can purchase mild hybrids or plug-in hybrids on the market today.
There are many options for hybrid cars today, including:
- Toyota Prius
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- BMW i8
- Mercedes E-Class
- Volvo XC-90
The advantage of hybrid vehicles is that you can use less petrol and adopt an electric car lifestyle without losing the freedom of a petrol car. Meanwhile, the disadvantage is that they still harm the environment, and cost more than their standard petrol counterparts.
Types of Electric Cars
There are four main types of electric vehicles (EVs). They are battery electric vehicles (BEV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), and mild hybrid vehicles.
They all represent subtle changes in how they work. For instance, batter electric vehicles run completely on electricity stored in their battery. Hybrid electric vehicles use petrol to power an electrical batter. Plug-in hybrid vehicles have similarities to both BEVs and HEVs. The only difference is more of their energy comes from battery power than petrol.
On the other hand, mild hybrid vehicles use only a small bit of power to propel the wheels forward. This is because mild hybrid cars don’t depend on electricity alone, yet they use electricity in small gaps.
Vacation Rides: What to Choose?
If you’re environmentally conscious, you may want to go with an electric or hybrid model for your vacation ride. However, you may want to go for a luxury SUV rental experience. The choice is up to you.
Electric and Hybrid Cars for the Win!
One thing is certain: electric and hybrid cars are here to stay. With more models coming out every year, the move toward fully electric vehicles is on. With it comes cleaner highways, a more sustainable future, and nearly silent transportation.
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