What’s the difference between a hybrid and an electric car?

The car industry is embracing a greener future with the development of greener technologies and solutions. Hybrid and electric cars have become a popular choice for car enthusiasts looking to reduce their emissions, and maximise fuel efficiency – but how do they differ exactly? 

This simple answer is that hybrid’s, as their name suggest, are a combination of traditional combustion engine technology, and modern day electric battery technology. Electric vehicles or EVs are powered entirely by an electric battery. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of vehicle, the type you should choose will depend on your lifestyle and needs. 

Hybrid and electric cars can be broken down into three main categories, depending on their power source. Take a closer look below:

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)

Battery electric vehicles (BEV) are commonly known simply as electric cars. These cars use a rechargeable battery in place of a traditional combustion engine and use electricity instead of fuel. The battery can be charged using an external source and charger through the charging ports located on the car. There are several classifications for EV chargers, based on the speed of charging. 

Level 1:

Level 1 charging systems use standard household outlets. With this type of charger most EV’s can be charged in about 8-10 hours. 

Level 2:

Level 2 chargers allow EVs to be charged from AC chargers which are often found at workplaces or in public spaces. These systems can charge EVs up to three times faster than level 1 charging. 

Level 3:

Level 3 charging or direct current (DC) fast charging is the fastest option for charging an EV. DC charging stations are usually only available in select public locations or for commercial use. DC chargers are capable of charging an EV in as little as 15 minutes. 

Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are cars that are equipped with both an electric battery and an internal combustion engine. HEVs are designed without a charging plug and instead they rely on regenerative braking to recharge their batteries. The battery is designed to support the engine in some way, although this differs between models.

There are a few different variants of HEVs – they can be classified as mild hybrid or full hybrid. Mild hybrids rely primarily on the internal combustion engine to power the car, whilst batteries may support the engine or allow it to shut off completely for brief periods to improve fuel economy. Full hybrids are designed with much larger batteries which can power the engine alone over short distances – the internal combustion engine may kick in at higher speeds or over greater distances to improve the performance of the car. 

Hybrid cars can also be classified by the mode of cooperation between the internal combustion engine and the electric engine. In parallel hybrids, both engines are connected to the vehicle and work together simultaneously. In series hybrids only the electric motor is connected to the vehicle which is used to operate it, whilst the internal combustion engine supports or powers the electric engine but is not directly connected to the wheels of the car. 

 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or PHEVs, come with two modes of charging. Like normal electric cars they can be plugged into a power source, however like other hybrid vehicles they include regenerative braking which replenishes the battery during driving. Plug-in hybrid vehicles have much greater fuel efficiency than traditional cars and are capable of achieving great driving ranges. 

So is a hybrid or an electric car right for you? Here are a few things to consider:

CO2 Emissions

Electric cars rely entirely on electricity and produce zero direct emissions on the road; they are a much greener alternative than traditional combustion engines. Hybrid vehicles still rely on fuel and emit some greenhouse gases, however their emissions are much lower than traditional vehicles, sometimes by up to 60%. 

Noise

Both hybrid and electric vehicles are much quieter than fuel-run cars. Depending on how a hybrid is designed however it may make some noise or audible rev’s when the internal combustion engine engages to support the electric engine. For some car enthusiasts the lack of noise is a positive, however others enjoy motor sounds. In some models, car manufacturers have actually included artificial sounds for drivers and to help alert pedestrians. 

Range

When it comes to driving range, hybrids are undoubtedly the winner; they can achieve impressive theoretical driving ranges that often outpace traditional vehicles. They’re an ideal option for car owners who need to drive long distances – regenerative braking technology and a built-in back up plan means that there is no need to suffer from range anxiety in a hybrid car. That being said, electric vehicles are also achieving impressive ranges. They certainly won’t go as far as a hybrid, but many newer EV models will easily handle a week of daily work commutes and grocery store trips on a single charge. With more fast charging infrastructure available, EVs are now a perfectly viable option for Australian drivers. 

Speed

The speed of an electric car will depend entirely on the size and strength of its battery – most are capable of reaching incredible top speeds now. The speed capabilities of hybrid cars will also depend on their design and the size of their engines or batteries.

Fuel Efficiency

Electric cars do not require any fuel and so are extremely cost-effective in the long run, thanks to the lower cost of electricity. Hybrid cars are less fuel-efficient than EVs, however are incredibly fuel efficient when compared to traditional cars, most often requiring about 20-30% less fuel although this can be much greater depending on the model. 

Weather

Electric cars usually include lithium-ion batteries, which perform best when operated in mild conditions of around 25 degrees Celsius. Hotter or colder weather can reduce the life of the battery, causing them to wear out faster and require replacement soon. Hybrids use the same batteries, but because they are less reliant on the battery they often last longer. 

Charging Facilities

Hybrid vehicles come out ahead in terms of convenience for car owners in Australia as they can easily be topped up at fuel stations. If they have a charging port then they can be charged at home or at publicly available charging stations. Electric cars are totally reliant on charging, and whilst Australia is making some strides towards better EV infrastructure it can still be difficult for EV owners to access fast-charging stations, especially outside of cities. Most owners can easily keep their cars topped up at home with a general outlet however and some may consider this to be more convenient than regular stops at the fuel station. 

Considering purchasing a hybrid or electric car? Find models currently available on our stock list, or talk to us about importing the car of your dreams.