Hybrid vs. Electric Car – Making the Best Choice

Electric power is the future of cars. That’s why you are probably already seeing more electrified vehicles like the Chevy Bolt EV on our Gothenburg roads every day. But which kind of electrified car should you get, a hybrid or electric vehicle? Is there a difference? If you’re having a hybrid vs. EV debate, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a hybrid vs. electric cars comparison below.

Hybrid vs. Electric Cars – Gas Prices

Fully electric cars like the Chevy Bolt EUV use no gas at all. That means stops at McCook gas stations are a thing of the past for drivers of these vehicles. Hybrid cars, on the other hand, have both an electric motor and a gas engine, so they need their gas tanks filled up from time to time. However, hybrids don’t use nearly as much gas as conventional combustion engines.

Hybrid vs. EV – Charging and Plugging In

Fully electric vehicles need to be recharged in order to run, which means you will need to allot significant time to charge. On average, electric cars can be charged up to 80% in half an hour at a rapid public charger, and can take 12 hours or more for a full charge at home, depending on the charging method. 

Do hybrids need to be charged? Well, to make this hybrid vs. EV comparison, we have to make a distinction between the two types of hybrids. Plug-in hybrids have batteries that do need to be plugged in to be charged, and charging times take about the same length of time as EVs. But, if the battery dies, the gas engine can take over. Standard hybrids, on the other hand, are not plugged in as their electric batteries are charged by the gas engine. However, while these hybrids get better gas mileage than gas-only cars, they do not get nearly as good gas mileage as plug-in hybrids or EVs.

Hybrid vs. Electric Car – Overall Cost

EVs are generally priced higher than hybrids, which, in turn, are usually higher than gas engines. However, certain EVs are still very affordable, such as the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV which have starting MSRPs in the low $30,000s. Additionally, EVs require no stops at the fuel pump and very little maintenance. That means you won’t be paying for regular oil changes. Hybrid cars, on the other hand, require all the same maintenance as conventional gas cars, since they have a gas engine in addition to an electric motor.

Come See the Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV at Jerry Remus Chevrolet of North Platte

Why not come to our showroom and check out these remarkable electric cars for yourself? We’d love to help you drive home in one of your own. And, if you’d like to learn more, check out our posts on the benefits of electric vehicles and how long it takes to charge an electric vehicle. We’re just down the road from Ogallala, so drop by or contact us today!