In the past few years, the rage against fossil fuel usage has vehicle manufacturers looking for viable alternatives. Two of which are electric and hybrid cars. Are they any different?
Over the course of history, vehicles have gone through many changes. The early models used steam engines, whereas the later ones relied on coal. Up until the year 1886 when the car, lauded as the first automobile. However, 135 years since the invention of the first petrol or gas-powered vehicle, it seems a bit odd that vehicles never moved past that phase. While the development of various engine types and usage of the latest technology is very common, vehicles still rely on fossil fuels.
Well, most vehicles, because the development of electric and hybrid cars in recent years have some people counting the days before petrol-powered engines are completely replaced. Which is why the pondering question about the difference between hybrid and electric cars has many people wondering. While there are many differences between them, it is not a simple matter of black and white, or yes or no. So, let us examine the differences between the two.
Hybrid Cars
Toyota Camry, the hybrid sedan widely considered as the pinnacle of hybrid vehicles.
The simple definition of a hybrid car is the vehicle that features a gasoline engine, accompanied by an electric motor. However, while it still employs a gasoline engine as the primary power source, the electric motor comes into play when required. For instance, if the fuel is running low or if the car is on a less-trying drive terrain, then the power-saving function would switch towards the electric motor. The power for the motor comes from the high-voltage battery that most vehicles house. Yet, the battery only has the chance of being recharged once the engine is running on gasoline again. The three main types of Hybrid cars are:
- Series Hybrid
- Parallel Hybrid
- Plug-in Hybrid
The series hybrid powers the generator instead of the wheels, whereas a parallel hybrid is pushed by both the ICE engine and electric motor. Whereas Plug-in hybrid, as the name suggests, can be powered by an electric outlet or external power source.
Electric Cars
Tesla’s Model 3, which is also considered the pioneer to all-electric cars.
As hybrid cars rely on both battery and gasoline-powered engine, Electric cars rely solely on rechargeable cells or batteries. These vehicles feature an entire electric-powered engine that relies solely on a rechargeable source. So, while hybrid cars rely on electric motors in some cases, the entire driving experience of electric cars depends on electric motors. Therefore, in scientific terms, the propulsion of these cars comes directly from traction and electric motors. Much like Hybrid, they too house the battery inside the car. However, the recharging of these batteries is only possible through external outlets or through solar panels in some cases. In short, electric cars rely solely on their batteries or rechargeable cells that power their engine\motor.
How Are They Different?
So, the question remains, what is the difference between them? Let us try to keep it as simple as possible. One of the primary differences between the two is their engines. While Hybrid cars employ engines that are primarily powered by gasoline and secondarily by a rechargeable motor, Electric cares solely depend on their all-electric-powered engines. In other words, hybrid cars can switch between the two, whereas electric cars can only be charged by an external power source. Here are some key differences:
- Hybrid car batteries can be charged by the inner system
- Electric car batteries need an outside source to charge them
- Hybrid cars can have a plug-in chargeable function
- Electric cars can use solar powers for an inner rechargeable system
Another key thing to note here is that the reason behind the creation of all-electric cars is to avoid the usage of fossil fuel. Whereas the early reason behind the development of Hybrid cars was to avail the driver in case the fuel ran out. Moreover, in hybrid vehicles, it is used as a means to conserve fuel and employ the lesser powerful electric-motor on less challenging tracks.
What Are The Benefits Of A Hybrid Car?
Honda’s 2017 Civic Hybrid in stride. Picture Source: NetCarShow.Com
One of the major benefits of a hybrid car is that it helps save a lot of expense on the fuel. As it conserves the fuel and recharges the battery, which powers the electric motor, it comes off as one of the most economical options available today.
So, What Are The Benefits Of An Electric Car?
The electric car’s rechargeable outlet.
One of the major benefits on a global level is that electric cars will reduce carbon-emission. For the consumer, one of the major benefits is that solar-powered electric cars can conserve energy. Primarily made by manufactures such as Tesla, these cars also provide a lot of economies. Considering how it would cost you much less to pay a higher electricity bill than to pay for your monthly fuel expenses. Because it only costs around 8$ for an electric car’s recharge.
How Much Do They Cost?
The cost of a Hybrid sedan can begin from $20,000 and go above $30,000. Whereas the price of a Hatchback is around $15,000-$20,000. However, the most famous electric car in the world, Tesla Model 3 begins from $35,000, with one key thing to bear in mind is that its maintenance among all the cars for sale in UK would cost much less.
How much is the cost of maintaining hybrid cars?
Aside from the engine and component maintenance, the battery replacement cost of a hybrid vehicle may cost around $1,000.
What would it cost annually to maintain an electric vehicle?
An all-electric car or EV would cost at least $900 to maintain annually. However, it may cost less if no major components or parts need any tweaks or replacement.
Do electric-powered cars compromise speed?
While their speed is lesser than gasoline-powered or hybrid vehicles, they do have better acceleration.
