It’s no secret that gas and diesel-powered vehicles are the norm. They have been since the beginning of the automotive industry as we know it. In the early 1900s, mass production made them readily available to the public. They caught on fairly quickly because people were looking for faster, more convenient, more comfortable, and more dependable ways to travel than what was previously at their disposal. Since that time, the number of vehicles on America’s roadways has surged from just over 8,000 to more than 288 million.
There’s no denying that those vehicles have changed the world. Of course, they’re also causing quite a few problems. One of the most significant is pollution. Traditional vehicles are responsible for more than 1.5 billion tons of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere each year, and that figure is only going to grow moving forward. In an effort to mitigate the negative impacts of all that pollution, manufacturers are creating a growing selection of electric and hybrid vehicles.
Exploring the Differences Between Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
Though many people don’t realize this, hybrid and electric vehicles actually predate gas and diesel models by several years. That being said, they didn’t catch on in the beginning. In fact, the technology behind them didn’t advance and become practical enough for mass production until fairly recently. At this point, though, numerous experts are touting the potential benefits of electric and hybrid vehicles. Many people believe that they’re our future and they’re set to save the planet. With that being the case, it’s important to understand their differences and what makes each one stand out. Take a look at some of the key aspects of chevy hybrid and electric vehicles and why they’re significant.
Basic Technology
One of the main factors that separates EVs and hybrids is the basic technology behind them. Electric vehicles run on electric batteries alone. When their batteries run down, they need to be plugged in to recharge. Hybrids are different. They’re equipped with an electric battery and motor and a traditional fuel tank and internal combustion engine. Some need to be plugged in to recharge their batteries. Others don’t. Instead, they automatically recharge their batteries through regenerative braking and the internal combustion process. These vehicles can switch to fuel when their batteries run low or when they need to generate more power than their batteries can provide.
Performance
Another difference between electric and hybrid vehicles is their performance. EVs run quietly and smoothly, and they offer fast, smooth acceleration. Hybrid vehicles can offer those same benefits. When they switch from electric mode to fuel consumption, though, drivers may lose some of those advantages. They may not accelerate as quickly as they do when running on electricity, and they may not run as quietly. Some hybrid models have rougher gear shifting than EVs. Some EVs may be more powerful and offer better handling than certain hybrids, but that’s not true for all models.
Driving Range
Driving range is also an important aspect to consider. Electric vehicles can have a range of 150 to 500 miles between charges depending on the model. Hybrids, on the other hand, can run for anywhere from 500 to 650 miles or so. Since their range isn’t solely dependent on their electric batteries, it’s comparable to that of conventional vehicles. Having an internal combustion backup and the option of refilling the tank when necessary instead of having to rely on charging stations gives some drivers greater peace of mind.
Purchase and Maintenance Costs
Purchasing and maintenance costs are important factors as well. Electric vehicles tend to be more expensive upfront due to a couple of main factors. For one, their technology is newer than that of hybrids. Secondly, they cost more to manufacture with most of that price coming from the production of their batteries. On the other hand, hybrid vehicles often come with higher maintenance costs. They’re more complicated than electric vehicles because they have both internal combustion and electric components. That means more things could go wrong. With time-tested technology being part of the picture, though, hybrid vehicles may not need as many repairs over time.
Environmental Impact
Finally, it’s important to consider the environmental impacts of hybrid and electric vehicles. There’s little denying that electric vehicles have less of an impact than other types of vehicles in terms of emissions. After all, they don’t burn gas or diesel, so they don’t directly produce emissions. Hybrids produce fewer emissions than traditional internal combustion vehicles, but they still contribute to pollution.
That’s only one angle to think about, though. The raw materials needed to produce these vehicles is also a key aspect to consider. Electric vehicles require far more raw materials to produce than hybrids. That’s the case with their battery packs as well as some of their other components.
Some of the elements needed in large amounts to produce EVs are lithium, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, and copper. They also require more rare earth elements. Additionally, some EVs may be made of more plastic than other vehicles to help offset the weight of their batteries. Generating the electricity needed to keep them running contributes to pollution over the long term as well. With all that being the case, electric vehicles may have more long-term impacts on the environment than hybrids.
Bottom Line
Both hybrid and electric vehicles were developed before gas and diesel vehicles became common. Internal combustion vehicles were the first to be mass produced, though. They’ve been the norm for well over a century now, and they’re not going to go away any time soon. That being said, hybrid and electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common. Each one has its strong suits and drawbacks.
Hybrid vehicles typically have longer ranges than electric vehicles, but they may also come with higher maintenance and repair costs. Still, they’re less expensive to produce, and they don’t require as many raw materials. Electric vehicles produce fewer emissions than hybrids, but they cost more upfront and have shorter ranges than hybrids. EVs may offer better performance than hybrids, but that can vary depending on the model in question.
