Electric vs Hybrid Models in Decatur, IL

Electric or Hybrid Vehicle – Which Should You Buy?

If you’re deciding between an EV like the all-electric Honda Prologue or a hybrid model like the CR-V Hybrid, there are a lot of things you should consider. The vehicle type that’s best for you depends on your lifestyle, your driving habits, and your financial and environmental goals. Here are four differences between electric and hybrid vehicles that may be deciding factors for you.

EV Charging vs Visiting the Gas Pump

The energy used to power hybrid and electric vehicles is one of their biggest differences. Hybrid vehicles have electric motors, but their primary source of horsepower and torque comes from a gasoline-fueled engine. Electric vehicles only have motors powered by electricity, which requires them to plug into the grid to recharge. There are three things to consider when thinking about your vehicle’s energy source:

1. Price: Electricity currently costs a great deal less than petrol. According to a 2018 study completed at the University of Michigan, the annual cost of charging an EV ($485) was less than half the cost of refueling a comparable vehicle ($1,117). So, when it comes to fuel economy, electric vehicles are the better options.
2. Availability: Gas-powered vehicles have been around for a while, which means that the infrastructure needed to keep them fueled is already in place. Today, you can find a gas station at every highway exit, but charging stations aren’t as prevalent. If you’re considering an EV, do your research about the charging stations in your area. According to PlugShare, there are 56 charging stations here in Decatur, IL, and that number is likely to continue to grow as EVs become more popular. For the time being, hybrid vehicles have better public fuel availability.
3. Time: Charging an electric vehicle takes much longer than refueling at a gas pump, but how much active time you spend charging or refueling your vehicle depends on whether or not you install a charging station in your home. If you do, you’ll be able to eliminate routine stops at public stations and charge your vehicle overnight, which would make electric vehicles more convenient. If adding a charging station to your home isn’t an option, gas station visits will take far less time than charging stations.

Range and Flexibility

On average, you’ll be able to travel 300 miles in a fully charged EV or 400 miles in a traditional vehicle with a full tank of gas. The range of a gas model is slightly improved when a hybrid motor and battery are added, so hybrid models take the win. Deciding whether or not that’s an important factor to you depends on whether you travel a lot and if you have an in-home charging station. When you plan a road trip in an electric vehicle, you may need to plan charging stops more carefully. You’ll also need to recharge more often than you might refuel your vehicle.

Environmental Impact

If reducing your carbon footprint is important to you, both a hybrid and an electric vehicle can help. Hybrid vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gasses than traditional vehicles. However, electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions. In this category, electric vehicles are the clear winner.

Cost of Ownership

Four main factors determine a vehicle’s cost of ownership:

Initial Price: The starting sticker price of an EV is usually higher than hybrid models. So, if you’re shopping on a budget, a hybrid vehicle may be a better match for you.

Fuel Cost: As mentioned above, EVs cost less to charge than refueling hybrid vehicles.

Insurance Cost: Hybrid vehicles generally cost more to insure than gas-powered vehicles but less than electric vehicles.

Maintenance Cost: Electric motors have fewer moving parts than engines and don’t require maintenance tasks like routine oil changes, so EV owners will spend less to maintain their vehicles than hybrid owners.

When taking all of these things into account, EV drivers will likely spend less on transportation than hybrid owners in the long term. However, if you’re planning to lease, you may not have the vehicle long enough to reap the financial benefits.

Find Your Electrified Vehicle at Bob Brady Honda

Honda has a full line-up of electrified vehicles that include hybrid models like the Accord Hybrid and the Civic Hybrid, as well as the all-electric Prologue. Visit our Honda dealership in Decatur, IL, or explore our online inventory today.