Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids are some of the most popular vehicles around. If you’re not driving one of them yet, you may be wondering what the difference between them is and which one you should get. At Huffines Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (CJDR), we have a great lineup of EVs available, so we’re uniquely qualified to help you answer these questions. Below, we highlight the key differences between an EV and a hybrid to help you decide which variety best suits your needs.
Should I Get an EV or a Hybrid?
Whether you should get an EV or a hybrid depends on a few factors. For instance, EVs don’t require gas, saving you money on fuel costs. In contrast, hybrid vehicles typically have a more affordable upfront purchase price. In addition, while charging stations are becoming more common, they aren’t as common as gas stations yet, making fueling up on the go a little trickier. There are many factors to consider when deciding between an EV or a hybrid. Below, we provide some information to help you make the right choice.
Which Fits Your Lifestyle?
The first thing you’ll want to think about is your lifestyle. If you’re looking for a vehicle you can primarily use for your daily commute or errands on the weekend, then an EV might be a better fit. This is because you can easily recharge your EV at home overnight and have plenty of range the next day for your daily tasks.
However, if you often go on long road trips, you might be better off with a hybrid. Hybrids generally have longer ranges, thanks to the fact that they run primarily on gas. And with the abundance of gas stations all over the country, you’ll have an easier time finding a place to refuel. Thinking about how you plan to primarily use your vehicle can help narrow down your choices and ensure that you get something that fits your lifestyle.
Hybrid Capabilities
Hybrid vehicles combine your classic gasoline-powered engine with a new electric motor. With a hybrid vehicle, you can sometimes propel the vehicle entirely using just the electric motor, allowing you to save on fuel. When you’re out of electric power, the vehicle shifts seamlessly over to the gas-powered engine. You won’t even notice the change, and your gas-powered engine will start to charge the battery once again. At the same time, while you’re driving, the energy that comes from deceleration feeds back into the vehicle’s battery, helping it recharge quicker.
There are primarily two types of hybrid designs: parallel and series. In a parallel design, the electric motor and the gasoline engine are connected in a way that blends the two power sources. This is the more popular design choice, and you’ll find it with most hybrid vehicles. The other design option is a series hybrid, in which the electric motor provides all the thrust. There’s no physical connection between the engine and the wheels in this setup — the gas engine is only there to recharge the battery.
Hybrid vs. Plug-in Hybrid
You’ll likely come across both hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles when exploring vehicle options. These vehicles are similar but also have a key difference. A hybrid vehicle primarily runs on fuel but also has an electric motor that helps delay the use of gas, thereby making it more efficient. With a hybrid vehicle, when you apply the brake, it regenerates the energy inside your vehicle’s battery, which it then reuses to power the electric motor.
Plug-in hybrids are a little different. These vehicles have much larger batteries compared with regular hybrid vehicles. Plug-in hybrids use the electric power first and only shift to gasoline when the electricity runs out, again saving you fuel. Plug-in hybrids rely on the regenerative braking found in hybrids, along with an external power source, to keep these larger batteries charged. Owners can plug their vehicles into a charging station to recharge the battery — an option that’s not available in standard hybrids.
EV Range
An important metric to note when browsing EVs is the range each model offers. The range refers to how far you can typically drive on a single battery charge before the power runs out. Ranges can vary significantly from model to model or even from trim to trim within a single model. For most new EVs, the range will fall between 250 and 500 miles. Typically, the longer the range, the more expensive the vehicle, as it will come with a larger battery.
Which Vehicle Costs More?
It’s hard to say which vehicle costs more, as many different hybrid and EVs are available. However, generally speaking, EVs are more expensive due to the inclusion of larger batteries, which are very expensive to produce. For example, a hybrid might use a small 1.5 kWh battery, while an EV uses a 75 kWh battery. This significant increase in battery size raises the production costs of an EV, which in turn raises the sales price.
There’s more to the cost of a vehicle than the listed MSRP, though. Unlike hybrid vehicles, many new EVs are eligible for incentives or rebates that can save you money. In addition, you may save more money over the vehicle’s lifetime by not needing to use gasoline. You’ll want to explore all these factors when deciding between a hybrid or an EV.
Explore EV and Hybrid Vehicles in Lewisville, Texas
Whether you’re looking for an EV or a hybrid vehicle in Lewisville, Huffines CJDR is here to help. We have a wide range of electric and hybrid models available from Chevrolet, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram to explore. To get started, feel free to browse our current new inventory online or check out our latest incentives. You can also contact us at any time to schedule a test drive or visit our service center. Thank you for visiting Huffines CJDR, and we look forward to hearing from you.