Hybrid vs. Electric Cars

Are you having a hybrid vs. electric car conundrum? You wouldn’t be the only Traverse City driver to have this quandary. What are the differences between a hybrid and an EV like the Subaru Solterra? Which option is less expensive to maintain? If you’re having an internal electric vs. hybrid car debate, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a hybrid car vs. electric car comparison below.

Hybrid Cars vs. Electric Cars – Saving on Gas

Both hybrid and fully electric vehicles will save you on fuel costs. But hybrid vehicles still use gasoline, whereas EVs like the Subaru Solterra do not. That means that EVs produce zero emissions and provide for the most economical Kalkaska commute.

Hybrid vs. Electric Car – Fuel Costs

• Electric cars – no gas costs, but incur costs from electricity usage
• Plug-in hybrids – some gas and electricity costs, but significantly more fuel-efficient than either hybrids or combustion gas engines
• Hybrids – use gas, but typically less gas than a conventional gas-driven vehicle.

Hybrid vs. Electric Car – Getting Charged

Do you need to plug in a hybrid vehicle? The electric batteries in conventional hybrids are charged by the electric engine while it is running, so, no, hybrids do not need to be plugged in. However, there is a type of hybrid that is called a “plug-in hybrid”. The electric batteries in these vehicles are charged by being plugged in, though they can run solely on the gas engine when needed. A fully electric vehicle must be charged in order to run, and making time to charge the vehicle can be a challenge for busy Bellaire drivers.

Hybrid Cars vs. Electric Cars – Charging

• Electric cars must be charged, which can take a significant amount of time.
• Plug-in hybrids need to be charged for the electric motor to work, though the gas engine will take over if the battery dies.
• Hybrids do not need to be plugged in, as the electric motor is charged by the gas engine. However, they are significantly less fuel-efficient than plug-ins and EVs.

Electric vs. Hybrid Cars – The Cost of Maintenance

Did you know that fully-electric cars don’t require oil changes? In fact, they don’t require a lot of maintenance tasks that typically need to be done on conventional gas-powered cars and hybrids. Combine that with the fact that EVs use no gasoline, and you can see how it costs far less to keep an EV running than a hybrid.

Electric vs. Hybrid Cars – Maintenance

• EVs – Oil changes, spark plug changes, drive belt changes, coolant flushes, transmission service not required
• Hybrids and Plug-in Hybrids – Oil changes, spark plug changes, drive belt changes, coolant flushes, transmission service are required

Check Out the Subaru Solterra at Serra Subaru of Traverse City

Are you ready to make the switch to electric? Then come down and take the Subaru Solterra for a test drive. And, if you’d like to learn more, check out our post on the Subaru Solterra price, as well as our guide on how long it takes to charge an electric car. We’re just down the road from Suttons Bay, so drop by or contact us today!