Hybrid vs Electric vs Gasoline Car (Comparison)
There are three main types of cars on the road today: traditional gasoline cars, hybrid cars, and electric cars.
Traditional gasoline cars are cheap and popular, so most people own one. Hybrids and electric cars are still considered unsuitable vehicles for many people. This is partly due to their reputation for being low performance or expensive.
However, we must remember that the main reason hybrid and electric cars were invented in the first place was fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness. Moreover, these cars offer many options for those who want to drive faster. To understand these amazing possibilities, we need to learn more about them.
Gasoline-powered cars
So-called regular cars are vehicles that use an internal combustion engine and gasoline (or diesel) as their main source of power. The vehicle still has a battery and electrical components, but it does not have an electric motor to generate power and move the wheels.
A car battery simply generates and sends electrical current to the starter, which then cranks and starts the engine. The car battery also powers the vehicle’s extra devices, such as the stereo, power windows, lights, and air conditioning.
This battery is much smaller and less expensive than a hybrid or electric car battery. For this reason, car batteries need to be replaced, on average, every 2-4 years. At the same time, it uses more gasoline and also increases carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
On the other hand, traditional gasoline cars are more affordable and offer a “different” driving experience, especially for car enthusiasts. That’s why people continue to use them.
Electric Cars
Don’t confuse electric cars with hybrid cars. This often happens because both cars use electrical energy from a battery-powered electrical system, such as an electric motor and a battery. However, an electric vehicle is a car that uses only electrical energy from one or more batteries.
There is no internal combustion engine to burn fuel. There is only a large car battery, a smaller battery for accessories, and at least one electric drive motor. The remaining components consist of state-of-the-art computers, software, and cables that make it all possible.
If you want to contribute to protecting the environment by achieving 0% CO2 emissions, an electric vehicle is the only choice. Of course, electric cars are also one of the most expensive types of cars, and even producing electric car parts or electric cars is not completely safe for the environment.
And while battery technology continues to improve, ranges still fall short of what’s needed for long-distance driving. But if you only drive short distances, an electric car might be the right choice.
Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars try to give drivers the best of both worlds: they use both a battery-electric system and an internal combustion engine for power. Most hybrid car models allow you to choose between internal combustion and electric modes. In some cases, the system may automatically detect the best fuel-efficient mode based on the current driving conditions.
Most of the time, you’ll use electric mode when driving at low speeds and internal combustion mode the rest of the time. There are many different types of hybrid powertrains, and they come in both hybrid gasoline and hybrid diesel models.
Some hybrid cars have a plug-in system that allows you to charge the battery from a power outlet. Some can even use regenerative braking or a combination of both to recharge the battery.
Hybrids might sound expensive, but they’re actually only a little more expensive than regular cars. You can buy a new hybrid for around $25,000. That’s not a bad deal, considering all the eco-friendly options it offers.
