What is the difference between a hybrid and fully electric vehicle?
4 June 2023
By Joy Pearson
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Hybrid and fully electric vehicles are both alternatives to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Whilst they may seem similar, there are significant differences between the two. In today's post, we will talk about the key differences between both a hybrid and electric vehicle and why these differences matter to people like me and you.
Hybrid cars combine an electric motor with a gasoline engine, allowing them to run on both electricity and gasoline. The electric motor is powered by a battery pack that is charged by regenerative braking and the gasoline engine. When the car is at low speeds or idle, it runs on electricity, while the gasoline engine kicks in when extra power is needed. This combination allows hybrid cars to get better gas mileage than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles and produce fewer emissions.
Fully electric cars, on the other hand, rely solely on electricity to power their electric motor. They are powered by a battery pack that is charged by plugging the car into an electric power source. Fully electric cars produce zero emissions and have no need for gasoline, making them much more environmentally friendly than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
One major difference between hybrid and fully electric vehicles is their range. Hybrid cars have a range that is limited by the amount of gasoline in the tank, while fully electric cars have a range that is limited by the battery's charge. This means that fully electric cars need to be recharged more frequently than hybrid cars need to be refueled.
Another major difference is the cost. Hybrid cars tend to be less expensive than fully electric cars, as they don't require as much battery power. Additionally, hybrid cars don't require the same level of charging infrastructure as fully electric cars do, making them easier to own and operate in areas where charging infrastructure is limited.
When it comes to opinions, there are many different perspectives on hybrid and fully electric cars. Some people believe that hybrid cars are a great traditional option as we move away from gasoline-powered vehicles and towards fully electric cars. They offer improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions while still relying on gasoline, which is a more familiar and widely available fuel source.
Others argue that fully electric vehicles are the future and that we should be investing in them more heavily. They argue that fully electric cars offer the best chance for reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and mitigating the effects of climate change. Additionally, they point out that as battery technology continues to improve, the range of fully electric vehicles will increase, making them more practical for longer trips.
As we can see hybrid and electric vehicles both offer benefits over the traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, but they are quite different from each other. Hybrid cars offer improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, whilst fully electric cars offer zero emissions and require no gasoline. Ultimately the choice between a hybrid car and fully electric car depends on your need, budget, and environmental priorities.