With gas prices skyrocketing, more and more people are considering an electric or hybrid vehicle for their next car. It’s not a bad idea — not only will you save on gas, but it’s also good for the environment. That said, it can be overwhelming trying to sort through all of the options — especially if you’re a first-time car buyer. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and compiled the results in one place for easy access. Here, you’ll find the pros and cons of each type of vehicle, to help you pick the right car for you.
Hybrid Vehicles
Regular hybrid vehicles are powered by both gas and electricity. They use both at the same time to operate.
Pros
- Don’t need to be plugged in.
- Better mileage and lower emissions than a car that’s only powered by gas.
- Gas stations are everywhere, making it easy to fill up in an emergency.
Cons
- More expensive than gas cars.
- Higher emissions and lower mileage than a fully electric vehicle.
Plug-In Hybrids (PHEV)
PHEVs are similar to regular hybrids, but they come with a rechargeable battery rather than an electric motor. PHEVs use solely electricity until the battery is low, then switch to gas.
Pros
- Even after running out of electrical power, you can still get good mileage.
- As long as you charge frequently enough, you potentially might never have to use gasoline.
Cons
- More expensive than regular hybrids.
- Charging can be difficult in some cases.
Electric Vehicles (EV)
EVs don’t have a gas tank at all. They’re solely powered by electricity.
Pros
- No tailpipe emissions — much better for the environment!
- Charging is usually much cheaper than buying gas.
- You can recharge at home out of any regular outlet you can access with the charging cable.
- Often cheaper to maintain.
- There are federal tax incentives available for many EVs (as well as some PHEVs)!
Cons
- Much lower driving range than either type of hybrid, and extreme temperatures can reduce the range even further.
- Charging can often take a long time, even with a ‘fast charger’.
- Generally the most expensive out of all three options.
- It might be difficult to access outlets if you live in an apartment building or something similar.
- Public charging stations are still nowhere near as common as gas stations, meaning you’ll have to do a lot of planning if you want to take a longer trip.
For the most part, it comes down to personal preference (and cost, of course). Which is more important to you — better mileage and lower impact on the environment, or a lower cost and higher range? Let us know!