When you’re in the market for a new (or new to you) vehicle and trying to lessen your environmental footprint, you might be thinking about getting a hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), or electric vehicle. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out which is best for your lifestyle. Here’s some information to help you decide.
Difference Between Hybrid, PHEV, & Electric Vehicles
While all three types of vehicles are better for the environment than a traditional vehicle, they all use a different method to power the vehicle. They also each have pros and cons depending on your lifestyle and where you live.
Hybrid Vehicles
A hybrid vehicle runs on just what it sounds like–a combination of gas and electricity. It has a traditional internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline, stores electricity produced by braking and the engine in batteries, and has an electric motor to give a power boost to the engine. It CANNOT be plugged in to charge the batteries.
Hybrids offer better gas mileage than a traditional vehicle, which results in people using less gas. This is why it is better for the environment than a traditional vehicle.
There are a lot of hybrid options in the marketplace these days, including used ones. Toyota Priuses are the car most people associate with hybrids, but many other car companies are making hybrids now. Hybrid SUVs are much more common today as well.
Hybrids are much more affordable than they used to be and many are comparable in price with their traditional counterparts.
PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is sort of the middle ground between a hybrid and a fully-electric vehicle. Similar to a hybrid, a PHEV can use both electricity and gas to power the car. Unlike a hybrid though, it CAN be plugged in to charge the batteries.
A PHEV has both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, but unlike a hybrid, it can use the electric motor to power the car until the batteries are almost depleted and then switch to the engine. The batteries can be charged by plugging in, braking, or by the engine.
PHEVs have a shorter all-electric range than a fully-electric vehicle, but use less gas than a hybrid since they can be run solely by the electric motor. The range is typically long enough to get someone around town for the day without plugging in or using gas, but not long enough for a road trip.
Nearly all auto manufacturers have a PHEV available for sale. They do tend to cost more than a traditional vehicle, but are still more affordable than an all-electric vehicle. Kia, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, and Mitsubishi all have PHEVs starting at less than $35,000 MSRP.
Electric Vehicles
An EV (electric vehicle) is powered solely by electricity and does not have an internal combustion engine. Its batteries are charged by plugging it in or by braking.
The range of an EV varies greatly between models, but is typically much higher than a PHEV’s all-electric range. Few have a range higher than 260 miles (Tesla models being the exception).
Electric cars cost more than both hybrids and PHEVs. Currently, there are only 3 EVs under $35,000 MSRP on the market.
Choosing Between a Hybrid, PHEV, & EV
EVs are obviously the most environmentally conscious car available currently, but they may not be right for everyone. They are the most expensive of the three options and charging infrastructure is still non-existent in many places.
PHEVs are more widely available and affordable than EVs, but can still emit exhaust. If you live somewhere cold, know that some PHEVs kick the internal combustion engine on when you turn the heat on.
A hybrid is the most widely available and affordable option, but emits the most exhaust of the three options. In my opinion, a PHEV is a nice compromise between hybrid and EV.
If you’re worried about whether charging a PHEV will make your electric bill go up, it hasn’t made mine go up. Of course, I can’t promise yours wouldn’t go up, but there’s a handy calculator that you can use to see how much it might cost in electricity. Keep in mind that you will be saving on gas money, too.
Why I Chose a PHEV
I decided on a PHEV because I loved the idea of being able to go all-electric, but I live in New Mexico where towns are often 90 miles or more apart and a typical road trip can involve driving 300 miles round trip in one day. Charging infrastructure is currently only in the big cities as well.
A PHEV offered me the best of both worlds. I live in a town that I can drive to and from work, run errands, and visit people and still not run out of battery in a day. But if I want to go on a road trip, I still can and don’t have to worry about whether there are charging stations available.
Even on road trips I get better gas mileage than a traditional vehicle, and I charge the battery up if I find a charging station or can plug in overnight to help keep the gas mileage as high as possible.
I was lucky that I had saved a large down payment and could afford to go with the top of the line model I wanted. I wanted a crossover, not a full-size SUV, not a car, and the Kia Niro PHEV was perfect for me. Right when I was ready to buy, the dealership closest to me had the exact model & color that I wanted, too!
I’ve had my Niro for a year and a half and I absolutely love it. I enjoy getting to drive around town knowing that I’m in EV mode and not emitting any exhaust (we already have plenty where I live!).
If you’re in the market for a new or new-to-you car, I encourage you to check out some of these more environmentally friendly options. You might be surprised by what you find. You can get some great additional information from the Alternative Fuels Data Center.
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