Hybrid or Electric? ⛽⚡
It’s easy for the casual car enthusiast to get confused between hybrids and electric cars. Here we outline the difference between the two, and show you why fully-electric is the way to go!
This image is sourced from Inside EVs
What is an electric car?
In simple terms, a battery electric vehicle, sometimes known as a BEV, is any vehicle powered 100% by an electric battery. If it has a tail pipe - it is not electric. Electric cars give out no emissions and are not reliant on an internal combustion engine. This is what The Electric Car Scheme specialises in.
This image is sourced from The Telegraph
What is a hybrid?
As the name suggests, a hybrid is a mixture of both an electric and an internal combustion engine car. It uses both a petrol/diesel powered engine and an electric battery to power the car. The two most common types of hybrids are the mild hybrid, such as a Toyota Prius, and the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) for example the Chevrolet Volt or Volvo XC90.
This image is sourced from CRU Group
Why is switching to electric, far superior to using a hybrid?
Hybrid cars were no doubt revolutionary for their time - however, with the advancements of the electric car, it is clear that electric car’s are superior to hybrids in every way.
Environmental impact
For obvious reasons, hybrids are worse for the environment, relative to a battery electric vehicle, as hybrids are still burning fossil fuels and electric car’s have no tailpipe and hence no emissions. 5-10 years ago, when hybrids were still new and electric car’s hadn’t developed to what they are today - then yes, hybrids were the greener alternative.
However, today when you can access an electric car at a competitive price - it makes no sense to purchase a hybrid.
In fact, Greenpeace - one of the biggest and most reputable environmental groups in the world - have condemned hybrids as being a “wolf in sheep's clothes” as recent studies have found that hybrids are 2.5 times more polluting than initially thought.
Technology
The technology of hybrid vehicles is outdated and electric cars are the way forward. Manufacturers are spending huge amounts designing state of the art electric cars with the latest technology, whereas innovation in the hybrid market has been stagnant for years.
Range
The electric components of hybrids have very limited range - mostly between 30-50 miles, maybe enough for a quick drive - but definitely not something you can use on a more regular basis. Because the range of the hybrid battery is so low, most drivers don’t even bother to charge it and instead just use the petrol/diesel component. By contrast, the range of most new electric cars now exceed 200 miles!
Benefits and bans
In addition to the eventual ban of internal combustion engine cars, the government has also announced that by 2035 they will be banning hybrid vehicles as well in their efforts to achieve net zero.
On the other hand, there are numerous benefits such as exemption from Clean Air Zone fares and the lowest benefit in kind tax rates available for electric cars. See how much you can save on a brand new electric car with our online quote tool here.
Are you interested in saving 30-60% on any electric car?
As an employee car benefit, a company is able to lease an electric car through The Electric Car Scheme on an employee’s behalf. In return the employee agrees to pay for the lease of the car through your gross pay (before tax) of your salary.
As a car with The Electric Car Scheme is technically classed as a ‘company car’, it is subject to a benefit in kind tax. This tax is factored into our quotes and is currently set at a low 2% till 2025.
Book a call with our specialists or watch our explainer video to find out more about how The Electric Car Scheme can benefit you!
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