Should your next car be a hybrid or electric one?
The sale of hybrid and electric cars has massively increased in the past few years. It is expected that this trend will continue to rise as the petrol and diesel ban comes into play. This ban sees the sale of new petrol and diesel cars be banned by 2030 to help tackle the rate of climate change. You’ll still be able to buy used cars in chandler after this point, but it may spur you on to adopt a greener way of living earlier than you expected. Hybrid vehicles use a combination of an electric motor with a combustion engine so the government has also announced a 2035 hybrid ban where no new hybrids will be on sale in the UK. With this in mind, along with the current climate crisis, should your next car be a hybrid or electric one? Our guide below looks at how hybrid and electric cars work and the pros and cons of each to help decide which would fit into your lifestyle.
How do hybrid cars work?
As mentioned above, a hybrid vehicle is one that uses two means of propulsion. Usually, a battery powered electric motor is combined with a petrol engine. A petrol or diesel engine tends to be the main source of power but is backed up by an electric motor to improve efficiency. There are three types of hybrid cars on finance available on the market in the UK which are a full hybrid, mild hybrid and plug in hybrid (PHEV). Full hybrids can use their electric motor and engine either simultaneously or independently. However, mild hybrids can’t use their electric motor on its own and instead is only used to give the combustion engine an extra boost. Both full and mild hybrid can charge their electric battery through regenerative breaking. Plug in hybrids on the other hand tend to have longer electric ranges that can be used independently. The batteries in the electric motor can be recharged by plugging the vehicle in and taking electricity from the national grid.
Benefits of hybrid cars:
More economical than petrol or diesel. Whilst hybrid cars aren’t fully emission free, they are much more economical than a traditional combustion engine. Diesel engine especially release the most pollutants into the environment which contribute to the rate of global warming.
Plug in hybrids can be used as fully electric. Plug in hybrids tend to have larger batteries than mild or full hybrids and can be easily recharged. Some plug-in hybrids can travel around 30-40 miles on a single charge and if this is about how long your daily commute is, you could benefit from a fully electric vehicle without paying the high price tag.
More availability in the hybrid market. More manufactures than ever are choosing to add hybrid cars to their model line-up. Hybrid have also become more popular in recent years so there’s more options for used hybrid car buyers too!
How do electric cars work?
Electrics cars are ones that use an electric motor as their single means of propulsion. The batteries in an electric motor can be charged by plugging them at home or at a designated charge point. There’s no tailpipe involved, and electric cars don’t release any harmful pollutants into the environment so they’re a great eco-friendly choice for many drivers. Electric cars can help to slow the rate of climate change. The power goes straight to the wheels to promote instant acceleration.
Benefits of driving an EV
Better for the environment. EVs don’t produce any tailpipe emissions which can help to reduce your carbon footprint and help to tackle climate change. Cleaner air is also better for human health and can reduce the risk of respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies.
Cheaper to run. Electric cars are less expensive when it comes to running and maintenance costs. It cost much less to charge an electric car than it does to fuel a petrol or diesel equivalent. Many workplaces and local authorities also offer free charging points to help save you even more money too.
More buying options and incentives. In the UK, EV drivers can benefit from a government grant which gives money off the purchase price of an EV. Electric cars have also been on the market for a number of years now so there are more options to get a used electric car or split the cost when getting an electric car on finance UK.
Which is right for you?
If you’re looking to adopt an eco-friendlier lifestyle, you may be considering a hybrid or buying an electric car. When to comes to declined which is best, you may want to consider your budget and driving range first. Electric cars tend to be more expensive to buy than hybrid models and new EV’s can be out of budget for many buyers. However, many electric car drivers argue that the cost savings of running an EV can outweigh the purchase price. It’s also worth think about how far you travel during a typical day or week. This is because many EV drivers worry that their electric range won’t get them to their destination without running out. If you only travel a few miles a day, a plug-in hybrid could be perfect for you.
