Benefits of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Electrified vehicles (EVs) have come a long way over the last decade, revolutionizing their operations. At the outset, hybrid and electric cars offered little more than a green alternative to gasoline engines. Power, performance, and comfort all seemed inferior in the beginning. However, as electric motors, batteries, and charging capabilities improved, so did the EV segment.

Today’s hybrid and electric vehicles offer many comfort and convenience features usually reserved for luxury cars. Also, they provide impressive power and a spirited driving experience you’d expect from the classic sports car, yet without the noisy gas-guzzling engine.

If you’re interested in elevating your Spokane commute with an efficient, comfortable hybrid or electric vehicle, Spokane Hyundai can help. That’s why we put together this catalog of benefits of hybrids and EVs to help you better understand how these booming vehicle classes can enhance your driving experience.

What Is a Hybrid Vehicle?

Image via Flickr under CC BY 2.0 by automobileitalia

Despite the growing market of hybrids, hybrid technology still confuses many people. A hybrid vehicle can best be described as an automobile that switches between gas and alternative fuel sources. In most cases, hybrid vehicles use electricity as an alternative fuel source.

A hybrid electric car uses two or more motors to propel the vehicle. Typically, an electric motor powered by a battery moves the vehicle at low speeds, while a gas engine provides power at higher speeds. When the gas engine operates, it also recharges the electric motor’s battery. Certain hybrid vehicles have plug-in recharging capability.

In some situations, the electric motor and gas engine work together. That said, newer hybrid vehicles can operate in electric-only modes, even at higher speeds, further improving efficiency.

What Is an Electric Vehicle?

An EV uses one or more electric motors to power the vehicle without using an internal combustion engine. Select EVs use a single electric motor, whereas others might have one motor to power each axle. Some configurations come with two electric motors on each axle, which generate significant power and deliver a truly impressive driving experience.

EVs use multiple batteries, sometimes as many as 10, to power the motors. These batteries can recharge through a regenerative braking system that captures the kinetic energy from the braking process and redirects it to the batteries. However, regenerative braking technology cannot keep your batteries charged perpetually, as the amount it collects doesn’t equal the total energy expended when driving. As a result, you have a maximum driving range before you need to recharge your EV’s batteries.

Benefits of Hybrid Vehicles

Experts largely agree that fuel economy represents the most significant benefit with hybrid or plug-in hybrid cars. For instance, most Americans commute less than 25 miles each way. So, suppose your plug-in hybrid vehicle has an all-electric range of 25 miles. In that case, as a typical American,  you can conceivably drive to work, plug your car in to recharge during your workday, and return home without ever having to use the gas engine.

Many drivers cite driving range as a concern when considering hybrid vehicles. To redress this, the gasoline engine in a hybrid car offers comfort to those worried about longer commutes or finding a charging station. Your gas engine will act as a safety net in cases where your batteries become drained.

Tax incentives offer additional savings to consumers. Many local, state, and federal tax breaks give drivers discounts simply for using a hybrid or EV. These discounts vary by location, so be sure to check your particular tax code for exact amounts.

Benefits of Electric Vehicles

All-electric cars don’t use gas, so you’ll never have to stop at a filling station again. Plus, state and federal governments regulate electricity rates and therefore have fewer fluctuating price changes than you see with gasoline. In general, it costs less to power an electric vehicle than it does to power a gas engine, saving you money in your daily operations.

Unfortunately, EVs currently have a drawback, which is pricing. They can cost thousands of dollars more than their gasoline equivalent. Tax breaks can offset this disparity to a degree, but it still might take a few years before you realize the savings. Though in the long term, EVs save you money, and with the proper tax breaks, you could even start saving quickly.

You can drive much farther with an all-electric vehicle than you can with a hybrid using only electric power. As battery technology continues to improve along with electric motors, we see more range than ever before. Many new EVs can top 200 miles before needing a recharge. For instance, the Hyundai Kona EV can travel 258 miles on a full charge. Some now even hit 300 miles or more. This continued growth in the driving range has all but eliminated the worry of running out of power.

Furthermore, the availability of charging stations continues to grow, making it more convenient than ever to recharge. Charging stations have appeared at your local grocery stores, favorite restaurants, and shopping malls everywhere. There are 124 Level 2 charging stations in Spokane alone, 98 of which cost you nothing to use. Imagine heading out to run errands without worrying about stopping for gas. Everywhere you go, you can plug in and recharge, usually for free.

Longer trips require a little planning, but Washington currently has nearly 900 stations, with hundreds more set to come online in the next year. In addition, fast-charging capability can add up to 80% of your power in less than 30 minutes.

That level of charging efficiency means if you drive a Hyundai Ioniq with a 300-mile range, you can stop for a quick bite and stretch your legs while your Ioniq recharges another 240 miles of range. You were going to stop for lunch anyway. But instead of gas station food, you can sit down at one of the many national chains and enjoy a good meal as you charge for free.

At Spokane Hyundai, we know how vital hybrids and EVs are to the future of our industry and our planet. So, if you’re ready to move to an electric or hybrid vehicle, we invite you to browse our inventory online. Or for a more personalized experience, you can stop by our dealership on East Sprague Avenue at any time. One of our friendly, knowledgeable staff will show you the different hybrid and electric models and let you take your favorite for a test drive.