As more drivers consider fluctuating gas prices, many are wondering if they should switch to a hybrid or electric vehicle.
HYBRID Vehicles
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) have combustion engines that run on gasoline which is supplemented with an electric motor. They also have an attached rechargeable battery pack for electric-powered driving.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) have a bigger battery than an HEV which allows for electric power for short drives and then switches to a gas-powered engine for longer trips
Pros
- Excellent gas mileage
- Lower emissions compared to gas-only vehicles.
- Quiet and often more powerful than gas-only vehicles.
CONS
- HEVs/PHEVs still produce fossil fuel emissions.
- PHEVs may be less fuel-efficient than regular hybrids once the electric portion is depleted.
ALL-ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Electric vehicles, also referred to as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), have an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine.
Pros
- Quiet and efficient driving.
- Excellent for
short commutes. - No tailpipe
emissions. - Less overall maintenance costs.
CONS
- More expensive
- Limited public
charging stations. - Battery replacements
can cost tens
of thousands of dollars. - Not well-suited for extremely cold or hot weather.
THinking About Purchasing?
The average cost of a hybrid vehicle
$32,9441
The average cost of a gas-only vehicle
$48,301
The average cost of an electric vehicle
$66,00
Publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations are located in every state in the country. Here are some apps you can use to find one.
- EVHotels
- Google Maps
- PlugShare
- Chargemap
- ChargeHub
- ChargePoint
