

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy website for tips on maximizing your electric car’s range in extreme temperatures. It’s also important to understand that driving conditions – including hot and cold weather – as well as how you drive your vehicle, may impact the driving range of electric and hybrid vehicles. In 2020, the average all-electric vehicle range was 260 miles, with some exceeding 400 miles. Cons of Electric and Hybrid Cars Shorter RangeĬonsumers who may have “range anxiety,” or the fear of running out of charge while on the road, may now find their concerns alleviated by larger batteries and growing access to charging stations. Ask your local independent agent or Travelers representative if there are auto insurance discounts available to you. Insurers May Give You a Discountīuying a hybrid may lead to savings on your car insurance costs. 9 State and local tax incentives may also apply. 8 You May Get a Tax BreakĪll-electric and plug-in hybrids purchased new in or after 2010 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. Department of Energy notes that the emissions benefits of hybrid electric vehicles vary by vehicle model and type of hybrid power system, while EVs typically produce zero tailpipe emissions and PHEVs typically produce no tailpipe emissions when driven in all-electric mode. Hybrid and electric vehicles can have emissions benefits over conventional vehicles, depending on the type of vehicle you choose. 6 Pros of Electric and Hybrid Cars Saving Money on Fuelĭo you really save money with an electric or hybrid car? Although the hefty startup costs fall under the “cons” category for electric and hybrid cars, these vehicles generally cost less to run over time due to lower (or no) fuel costs. These cars need liquid fuel because they run on electricity until their batteries run out, then switch to the gas engine. Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) come equipped with an internal combustion gas engine as well. Instead, the battery gets charged by a combination of the internal combustion engine and regenerative braking. Hybrid vehicles use battery power to supplement a traditional internal combustion engine and do not need to be plugged into anything to charge.

They also don’t need fuel equipment, such as a fuel pump, line or fuel tank. 3Įlectric cars don’t need liquid fuel such as gasoline or diesel.
Hybrid cars driver#
This means that when the driver brakes, some of the energy that would typically be lost during braking generates electricity that powers the vehicle. 2ĭuring driving, regenerative braking might also charge an electric car. The electric car gets charged by an “off-board” power source when it’s plugged in to a charging station or wall outlet. Each vehicle depends on a large traction battery pack that stores electrical energy, which in turn powers the electric motor. The “electric cars and hybrids” vehicle category includes electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.Įlectric cars differ from traditional vehicles in that they’re powered by electric motors, not internal combustion engines. Here’s a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of electric and hybrid vehicles. 1 If you’re contemplating an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid car for your next car purchase, you should consider the pros and cons of buying a car that’s not your traditional vehicle.

Navigating Your Business Through COVID-19Įlectric and hybrid cars are becoming more mainstream as studies are showing that these vehicles offer benefits of improved fuel economy, lower fuel costs and reduced emissions.Hybrid cars also emit less CO2 than a conventional ICE cars. Inevitably you will need to fill up but with the Toyota Corolla Hatch ZR Hybrid using 4.2 L/100km compare to its petrol counterpart using 6.0 L/100km means petrol costs are significantly reduced when driving a hybrid.

Hybrids automatically charge their own hybrid battery so you don’t need to use an external charging point or worry about the distance you can drive. In terms of performance, driving a hybrid is much like driving a regular car. This makes hybrids incredibly fuel-efficient as they tend to only use the engine for accelerating, climbing hills or when extra power is required. When the engine isn’t needed, say if you’re idling at the lights, it shuts off altogether. Hybrid cars like the Toyota RAV4 hybrid can switch between the petrol engine and electric motor, or combine both power sources depending on the driving scenario.įor low speed driving, coasting and decelerating hybrid cars mostly use their electric motor (depending on the state of charge of battery). A hybrid is a car that is powered by a conventional engine, an electric motor and a hybrid battery.
