A Hybrid Or an Electric Car?

Last updated on March 20th, 2018

If you are on the lookout for buying a new car and you also like to be environmentally conscious, consider choosing a hybrid vehicle or investing into an electric car. It may seem easier to just go with a tried and tested gasoline-powered cars, and there are certainly arguments for it. For example, there is a lot more choice when it comes to regular cars – engine power, top speed, design, model and car maker – the possibilities are endless. If you are looking to buy a used car, it will be much easier to find a regular car that suits you. Gas-powered cars are ubiquitous and can certainly feel more normal, but consider the advantages of a new-generation hybrid or an electric car.

The most obvious advantage is that hybrids and electric cars produce much less environmental impact than regular cars. They emit less carbon dioxide (or none at all) and they rely much less on gasoline. As a hybrid/electric car owner, you will be buying less gas and, consequently, spending less. You will also be less dependent on the fluctuations of oil prices that directly affect the price tag at your local gas station. Hybrids and electric cars also run much quieter than regular cars, so you will be reducing not only air pollution but noise pollution as well.

Sounds good? If it does, you are one step closer to driving “greener”! The next important question is whether you choose a hybrid or an electric car. Hybrids have been on the market for over a decade. Consequently, they are cheaper when compared to an electric car and there are more models to choose from. Surprisingly, hybrids also leave a lesser carbon footprint than electric cars, since electric cars rely solely on electricity that, in turn, relies on coal-burning. Hybrids are easier to power and charge since they require both gasoline and plugging in. They have more range than electric cars, providing some peace of mind for drivers who do not want to suddenly run out of battery in the middle of nowhere. The most popular hybrid car models in the United States are Honda Accord Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Toyota Prius V, and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

Electric cars, on the other hand, are often called cars of the future. They represent the new generation of car-making that emphasizes environmental consciousness, the thrill of ground-breaking technology and the good old coolness factor. Electric cars are hip; owning one puts the driver in a new category of a “green petrol head”. Electric cars require no gasoline, so you can forget about worrying about gas prices going up. The ever-expanding network of charging and supercharging stations in the U.S. means you will not have to worry about finding a spot to plug in either. Electric cars are pricey, but if you decide to invest in one, you will be eligible for a federal tax credit and an additional state tax credit, depending on where you live. The most popular electric car models in the U.S. are Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S, and Chevrolet Spark EV.