What is the difference between a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric car?
A green future is one in which we all reduce the polluting emissions from our fleet of vehicles. This can be done by, for example, increasing the number of train, bus, and tram rides, or riding bicycles more often. But the rise of electric vehicles also fits into this vision of the future. What is the current range of these electric vehicles on the market? And what exactly is the difference between an electric car and the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants?
A hybrid car
A hybrid car combines two engines under the hood. On one hand, there is a combustion engine, for example, using gasoline. On the other hand, there is an electric motor with an accompanying battery. The battery is charged while driving via the combustion engine. So you don't need to look for an outlet to charge this car. There are two types of hybrid cars:
Mild hybrid
In the 'mild hybrid', the electric motor purely serves as support for the combustion engine. This vehicle will never drive on electric power alone.
Full hybrid
The 'full hybrid' can, in turn, drive purely electric for a short distance and at a limited speed. The capacity of the battery is larger, thus making this possible.
A small hybrid city car costs about 20,000 euros. If you're looking for something bigger and prefer a more luxurious model, then the cost is approximately double.
The purchase of a hybrid car can have favorable effects on the registration tax due to its lower CO2 emissions compared to a comparable non-hybrid model.
A plug-in hybrid car
The name of this car gives something away. It’s a hybrid vehicle that can be charged by plugging it into an outlet. Just like the regular hybrid, the plug-in hybrid combines a combustion engine and an electric motor. However, the rechargeable battery in this car is much larger and more performant. A trip of 30 kilometers can be driven entirely on electric power. Ideal for covering short distances!
The price tag of this car is somewhat higher than a typical hybrid car, as it involves more technology. So, expect to pay at least 45,000 euros for a decent plug-in hybrid car. In this case, lower CO2 emissions also play a part in the tax on vehicle registration that must be paid.
To optimally use your electric motor and thus drive electrically, you need to have a charging station at home or at work. Currently, there are not too many public charging stations available in Belgium, which makes recharging on the go not so easy.
An electric car
The electric car is - unlike the two hybrid examples - truly ‘all the way’ electric. It's simple: a battery, one or more motors, and a connection between these elements.
The list of advantages of an electric car is extensive. Here’s a selection:
- An electric car does not have a transmission. You can immediately make use of the full power and accelerate quickly.
- Electricity is cheaper and much greener - if it comes from wind or sun - than fuels for combustion engines.
- An electric car does not emit CO2.
- The parts experience little wear, so you have limited maintenance costs.
- The car is more stable because the battery is at the bottom, which lowers your car's center of gravity.
The price tag of a fully electric car is seen as a disadvantage, but the cost of new models is decreasing. The high price is mainly due to the cost of the battery. Very small electric city cars can be purchased for 25,000 euros. For a compact family car, you pay almost 35,000 euros. For a luxurious electric car with all the bells and whistles, you easily pay more than 80,000 euros.
Let's talk about the range of electric cars for a moment. Depending on the specific capacity of the battery (which varies by model), car manufacturers guarantee a range of 150 to 400 kilometers. For many consumers, this seems like a huge limitation, but commuting is more than possible with this range. Also, the lack of sufficient charging stations reinforces the belief that you can't go far with electric driving.
