Hybrid vs EVs – Which is Better for the Environment?
November 2, 2023
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The world’s first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle was the Prius, released in Japan in 1997. Hybrid vehicles have been getting churned out by some of the world’s most popular automobile manufacturers ever since. Preceding the hybrid vehicle by just a single year, General Motors created the EV1 – the first fully electric vehicle.
One might assume that hybrids and electric vehicles are more of a 21st century thing, but the production of these vehicles dates to the late 19th century. Electricity has always been a conceivable means of propelling machinery forward, although its evolution into the modern day was largely pushed aside in favour of gas-powered vehicles, which lasted longer, could go further, and ultimately were more feasible and therefore took the limelight. Flash forward to 2023, and now we’re pushing out electric vehicles and hybrid cars like it is nobody’s business as we find ourselves amid a climate crisis, where gas-powered vehicles are among the major culprits for contributing to global warming.
So – hybrid car, or electric vehicle. Which is better for the environment? Which is more cost-effective? Which is the best for your lifestyle? Let’s get into it.
What are hybrid vehicles?
A hybrid electric vehicle, or HEV, is a form of automobile which combines both an electric propulsion system with an internal combustion engine (ICE) system. Utilizing both, a hybrid electric vehicle can typically reap the benefits of far superior fuel economy than your conventional vehicle, in addition to improved performance. Although there’s plenty of hybrid electric vehicles on the roads, there’s also busses, aircraft, and boats that use a combination of hybrid vehicle drivetrain and ICE systems to work.
Since their inception in the year 1997, over 20 million hybrid electric vehicles and counting have been sold worldwide. The Toyota Motor Corporation tops the global sales list with over 15 million hybrid vehicles sold.
That’s a brief history – now what about the advantages of HEVs? Well, for starters, hybrid electric vehicles need half of the amount of gas that regular cars use. Different forms of HEVs exist, but primarily they will be made up of vehicles that use a combo of a gas engine and one or two electric motors. Once the electric battery has drained, the gas engine kicks in.
What are some cons of HEVs?
Hybrids may not be as environmentally friendly as some would think if they are depending on the gas engine too frequently. It can be inconvenient to have to recharge the battery daily, so ultimately many users will end up burning fuel regardless.
Additionally, hybrid vehicles have smaller trunks and trunk space, because the vehicles have numerous motors already taking up space. For plug-in hybrids, this is especially true.
Hybrid vehicles are not as suited to people who use their cars every single day and drive longer distances. They usually have an average km range of 50km for electric power, and a remaining 400km on the gas motor.
They also won’t save you as much money on gas as a fully electric vehicle, and some hybrids are still considered “luxury cars” – which means, for some models, you’ll pay more upfront.
What are electric vehicles?
Electric vehicles are a great option for many because they are powered solely by a battery and an electric motor. They use no gas, meaning that they’re easily one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles available on the market.
So, to answer the question that this blog is looking to address, electric vehicles are superior when it comes to being “eco-friendly.”
Economically, electric vehicles also cost far less in terms of fuel. Most insurance companies will incentivize their drivers to go green by offering a 5-10% discount (on average) for driving a hybrid or fully electric vehicle, so you’ll also save on insurance.
However, electric vehicles do boast a higher upfront cost. This is likely to go down over the next few years as these cars gain popularity, though.
What are some cons of electric vehicles?
Like hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles are currently better suited to those who only need to drive short distances. Drivers will need to have charging stations set up at home, or they’ll be dependent on finding external charging stations – and those are not nearly as populous as gas stations.
Electric cars place significant limits on long-distance driving. As these cars gain popularity, there becomes more competition for a limited number of public charging stations world-wide.
What’s the conclusion?
There’s no “wrong choice” when it comes to the car you wish to drive, only different options with different benefits. Choosing a vehicle that best matches your driving style, driving needs, and lifestyle is a matter of good research and sometimes trial-and-error, but just be patient in the car-buying process, look around at various dealerships, ask electric vehicle/hybrid drivers for their opinions, and take your time!
By the way, both hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles will typically be discounted when it comes to insurance. It does depend on the insurer as to how much of a discount you’ll receive (if they offer the discount), but typically any major insurer will reduce your rates by 5-10% for choosing to drive a more eco-friendly vehicle.
Ask an Excalibur Defender about electric vehicle discounts if you’re considering switching out your ride for something more eco-friendly!
