Are you looking to save money on fuel costs for your car? Electric cars and hybrids are two great options to consider.
It's the right time to make a change; The 2023 and 2024 model years of hybrid and electric vehicles offer excellent fuel economy.
In this article, EV Cars vs Hybrid Cars, we'll do a side-by-side comparison between hybrid and electric cars to see which type of car will offer you the best savings and will be the better choice overall.
EV Cars vs Hybrid Cars at a glance
- Hybrid cars use petrol engines supplemented by small electric motors.
- Electric cars rely only on large electric motors powered by batteries.
- Hybrid cars are much cheaper to buy but are eligible for fewer incentives than electric cars.
- Compared to gas fuel costs, electric cars are up to 70% cheaper, while hybrids are 60% cheaper at best.
- Electric cars are much cheaper to maintain than hybrid cars, as they have fewer moving parts.
- Bottom line: Electric cars cost more upfront, but tend to have lower costs overall due to fuel costs, incentives, and maintenance, but your mileage may vary.
EV Cars vs Hybrid Cars: What's the Difference?
Before we start comparing costs, here's a quick explanation of how hybrid cars and electric cars work.
Electric cars are powered exclusively by powerful electric motors connected to large rechargeable batteries. They are also known as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) or, more simply, electric vehicles (EVs).
Hybrid cars are a mix between traditional petrol-powered cars and pure electric cars. They feature a standard full-size combustion engine (petrol or diesel), complemented by one or more small battery-powered electric motors. Petrol engines do most of the work, which is why they are often called “part-time electric cars.”
EV Cars vs Hybrid Cars: Which is cheaper to buy?
Hybrid cars are relatively affordable while Electric cars tend to be more expensive, especially if you want a car with more autonomy.
EV Cars vs Hybrid Cars: Which is the least expensive in terms of fuel economy?
Both hybrids and electric cars are much cheaper to run than petrol cars, but electric cars again have the advantage. Electric cars are up to 70% cheaper than petrol cars, while hybrid cars are 60% cheaper at best. Electric cars win by a small margin.
EV Cars vs Hybrid Cars: Which is cheaper to maintain?
Electric cars are much less expensive to maintain than any other type of car. Electric cars have lower maintenance requirements (and lower maintenance costs) because they do not have a traditional engine and associated moving components. This means no more oil changes! And you don't have to worry about replacing gaskets, cylinder heads, spark plugs, and more. Emissions testing is not necessary since there are no exhaust pipes.
On the other hand, maintaining hybrid cars is not cheaper than maintaining petrol cars. If anything, they cost more. Hybrid cars have all the moving parts that come with a typical petrol car, plus the additional components required by the plug-in electrical system.
EV Cars vs Hybrid Cars: Total Cost Comparison
Electric cars are the clear winner. They are more eligible for more incentives and are much cheaper to operate due to lower “fuel” and maintenance costs.
The savings on an electric car purchase increase over time, so you'll reap greater benefits if you plan to drive long distances or will own your car for several years.
The only advantage of hybrid cars is their lower price.
Still not sure which one to choose? Well, maybe you should put the calculator down and consider other non-financial factors. After all, money isn't everything!
If you Don't want to worry about charging during a long road trip, Choose hybrid. Are you excited about instant torque and lightning-fast 0-60 speed? Bet on an electric one! Either option will save you money compared to the alternative, which is an older petrol car.
EV Cars vs Hybrid Cars: conclusion
Both options have pros and cons. Electric cars are here to stay, radically transforming the industry at a good pace. But hybrid cars make a strong case in their favor and are somewhere between an electric car and a conventional car. If you think that an electric car is not your preferred option yet, a hybrid car is sure to impress you with its fuel economy and the features it offers. And if you think an electric car is for you, what's stopping you?
Also Read: Tata Punch EV launched: Starting price Rs 10.99 lakh; here are the key features
