Electric vehicles and hybrid cars are growing in popularity, with more manufacturers planning to offer an all-electric model over the next few years.
For example, Volkswagen plans to offer an electrified version of every single model in its range by 2030, while Ford brought out 7 new all-electric models throughout 2024.
Despite this popularity, some drivers are reluctant to invest in a hybrid or electric car due to the perceived expense compared to conventionally fuelled vehicles.
However, the wider availability of EVs, including Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), has led to a broader spectrum of prices, which in turn has led to a steady increase in sales.
BEVs offer significant environmental benefits, such as zero tailpipe emissions, which contribute to improved air quality. Additionally, the financial implications of owning a BEV, including road tax benefits and long-term cost savings associated with charging and maintenance, make them an attractive option.
Currently, BEVs lead the way for the number of new electric and hybrid registrations of new cars in the UK for 2023.
Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
The reality is, an electric or hybrid model can be a great investment if alternative fuel suits your driving needs and lifestyle.
But is there a price difference between each when it comes to fuel, maintenance, incentives or purchase price? Our handy guide provides a cost comparison of hybrid vs electric cars, to help you decide which alternative fuel is right for you.
As the automotive industry shifts towards more sustainable solutions, understanding the basics of electric and hybrid cars becomes essential.
These vehicles represent the future of transportation, offering significant benefits in terms of fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and overall driving experience. Let’s explore what sets hybrid and electric cars apart.
A hybrid car is a marvel of modern engineering, combining a conventional internal combustion engine (either petrol or diesel car) with an electric motor and a battery pack.
This dual system allows the vehicle to optimise fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The electric motor assists the internal combustion engine during acceleration and braking, making the car more efficient.
Hybrid cars come in two main types: mild hybrids and full hybrids. Mild hybrids use a smaller battery and electric motor to support the engine, primarily during acceleration. This setup improves fuel efficiency without allowing the car to run solely on electric power.
On the other hand, full hybrids have a larger battery and a more powerful electric motor, enabling the vehicle to operate on electric power alone for short distances. This capability further enhances fuel efficiency and reduces emissions, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
An electric car, or Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), represents a leap forward in automotive technology. Unlike hybrid cars, electric cars are powered solely by an electric motor and a battery pack, with no internal combustion engine in sight. This means they produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them an environmentally friendly choice.
Electric cars draw their power from a battery pack, which can be recharged using an external power source such as a wall socket or a dedicated charging station. The absence of an internal combustion engine not only reduces emissions but also results in a quieter and smoother driving experience.
Additionally, electric cars tend to have lower operating costs due to fewer moving parts and the lower cost of electricity compared to petrol or diesel.
If you’re thinking of investing in a hybrid or electric vehicle rather than a conventional petrol or diesel model, there’s plenty of choice.
Generally, electric cars fit into three categories: battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). Which will be best for you depends on the range, recharging and handling your lifestyle demands. Generally, pure electric vehicles have very different ranges between 100 to 400 miles on a single charge. Plug-in hybrids, on the other hand, extend this via the use of conventional fuels.
If you’re looking for a model with the lowest emissions possible, you can’t get much greener than an all-electric vehicle. Plug-in hybrid emissions are also generally low, but the overall efficiency generally depends on how often it’s charged. Find out how these vehicles compare to other fuel efficient vehicles
Electric and hybrid cars are at the forefront of automotive innovation, thanks to their advanced electric motor and battery technology.
At the heart of both electric and hybrid cars lies advanced electric motor and battery technology. Electric motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, generating torque that propels the vehicle forward. This process is highly efficient, contributing to the overall performance and economy of the vehicle.
Battery technology has seen significant advancements in recent years, particularly with the development of lithium-ion batteries. These batteries offer higher energy density, longer lifespan, and faster charging times compared to older battery types. In electric cars, the battery pack serves as the primary energy source, powering the electric motor and providing the necessary range for daily driving.
In hybrid cars, the battery pack and electric motor work in tandem with the internal combustion engine to optimise fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. While the battery pack in hybrid cars is typically smaller than that in electric cars, it still plays a crucial role in enhancing the vehicle’s overall efficiency.
Both electric and hybrid cars feature sophisticated power electronics and control systems that manage the flow of energy between the battery, electric motor, and internal combustion engine (in the case of hybrids). These systems ensure that the vehicle operates at peak efficiency, delivering a seamless and enjoyable driving experience.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more efficient and capable electric and hybrid cars in the future. The advancements in electric motor and battery technology are paving the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly automotive landscape.
Both hybrid and electric cars utilise batteries and therefore operate more efficiently and economically than their conventionally powered counterparts in the long term.
However, it's important to note that both hybrid and electric cars are more expensive to buy outright due to their new technology and high specifications. There are also some cost differences between the two eco-friendly options that you should take into account, including:
One major difference between electric and hybrid vehicles is their fuel type. Both utilise an electric battery that needs to be charged in order to operate. This often requires the installation of a charger, the cost of which can be supplemented by a government grant. Generally, for a typical electric car with a 60kWh battery, the charging costs at home, work and other public locations are:
Charging at home is best done with a dedicated home charge point to avoid any electrical issues. This consists of a universal socket that is compatible with all electric cars and a cable. There may also be other options available depending on the vehicle make.
This makes both electric and hybrid cars cheaper to run than petrol or diesel as they can be fuelled for free at public charge points, with hybrid cars using up to 30% less fuel per mile than conventional fuel-powered vehicles.
However, because hybrids (PHEV and HEV) still require petrol, they end up slightly more expensive to fuel than their all-electric counterparts.
Aside from paying for fuel, there are other costs associated with EV or hybrid car ownership. Hybrids generally run into many of the same maintenance issues that conventional petrol cars experience, including transmission and engine issues.
In comparison, electric vehicles avoid the cost associated with combustion engines but do still require maintenance in the form of tyre changes and structural damage. With that in mind, although hybrid vehicles cost less to maintain than conventional fuelled cars, they generally cost more than electric models.
All alternative fuelled cars are subject to battery degradation, which can be quite costly to rectify. If you're still within your car's battery warranty period and your battery degrades past the guaranteed point, you'll be covered for the cost of a replacement unit.
Most owners won't have to worry about paying to replace their car battery as manufacturer warranties are very generous (both the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model X is covered for 8 years), it's still a cost worth bearing in mind.
Ultra-low emission vehicles are on the rise, meaning quite a few will be flowing into the second-hand market in the next few years. That means now is probably the best time to buy, as the price of electric and hybrid models will rise as used car buyers realise how in-demand they are.
That said, the depreciation rate of a new car can vary significantly based on factors like brand, model, fuel type, and market demand. On average, a new car can lose a significant portion of its value in the first few years.
Here's a general breakdown of depreciation:
Source: the AA
Factors Affecting Depreciation:
When they first hit the market, electric cars saw big dips in residual values, as the market was small and the technology new. However, both electric and hybrid vehicles have started to hold their value better as the market expands.
Compared to diesel cars, hybrid and electric vehicles often have a higher resale value, although this can vary based on specific models and market conditions.
According to a recent study from Toyota, the resale value on hybrid models is notably higher than electric vehicles – however, this really depends on the make and model.
When it comes to government incentives and grants, both electric and hybrid models have rebates that work to offset the typically higher cost of an alternative fuelled vehicle. All in all, the decision has to be based on whether an all-electric or hybrid alternative would suit your lifestyle and budget – there's no right or wrong when it comes to choosing an eco-friendly car.
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