When you compare hybrid cars vs electric cars, it is not easy to pick a definite winner. Both electric and hybrid vehicles live up to their promise of lower emission and long-term cost-saving. However, each variant has its own pros and cons. If you want to know which one is better for you, you need to figure out how each of these options fares against your needs and expectations.
Here is all you need to know about the basic difference between hybrid and electric vehicles so that you can make the right decision.
Electric Cars – An Overview
The market for electric cars or EVs is growing considerably. Tesla, the maker of some of the best electric cars, is getting quite popular in the UAE. While every brand comes up with an innovation of its own, here are a few basic facts about electric cars in general.
An electric car does not have combustion engines, but a combination of a battery pack and an electric motor. This also means fewer lubricating parts and less maintenance of the electric car in the long run.
The list of electric cars pros and cons is extensive. Here are a few facts that will give you a better idea of why they are a good option:
- An electric car does not emit CO2; hence, a smaller footprint
- Electricity is cheaper and greener than fuels used by combustion engines
- Electric cars are quiet as compared to petrol and diesel-powered cars
- An EV is more stable because the battery installed at the bottom lowers its centre of gravity
Electric Vehicles Prices in the UAE
The comparatively heavier price tag of an all-electric car is seen as a drawback, but the cost of new models is quite competitive. The high price is mainly due to the cost of the battery. However, the amount you can save on fuel, in the long run, makes it a worthy investment. Some of the popular electric vehicles in the UAE are:
- Tesla Model 3: The starting price of the new Tesla Model 3 in the UAE is AED 213,580. You can also check out the used Tesla Model 3 for sale in the UAE.
- Chevrolet Bolt: The starting price of the new Chevrolet Bolt in the UAE is AED 168,000. However, the used Chevrolet Bolts for sale are also available at affordable prices.
- Tesla Model S: The starting price of the new Tesla Model S is AED 346,180. You can buy a range of used Tesla Model S at affordable rates.
Limitations
Let’s talk a little more about the self-sufficiency of electric cars. Depending on the specific capacity of the battery, most car manufacturers guarantee a drive of 150 to 400 kilometres in one charge. This seems like a huge limitation for many consumers as even the fastest public chargers can take around half an hour to fully charge your car’s batteries. Home chargers, on the other hand, may take around 20 hours.
Hybrid cars – An Overview
While electric cars only use electricity, hybrid vehicles combine electricity with a petrol or diesel engine. As with electric vehicles, the range of hybrid cars continues to grow steadily. Manufacturers such as Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and BMW have also joined the race of introducing the best hybrid cars.
A hybrid car combines two engines under the hood. One is a regular combustion engine powered by petrol or diesel. The other one is an electric motor with a corresponding battery. The battery is charged by the internal combustion engine while driving. So, you don’t have to look for a station to charge the car.
Types of Hybrid Cars
While every manufacturer comes up with an innovation, hybrid vehicles can be loosely categorised into two types.
Mild Hybrid Vehicle
In a mild hybrid, also known as a battery-assisted hybrid vehicle, the electric motor serves purely as support for the combustion engine when the car is braking, coasting or quickly restarting. In this case, the electric module can never power the vehicle on its own due to smaller batteries.
Full Hybrid Vehicle
The ‘full hybrid’ can actually drive on batteries for a short distance and at a limited speed. The classic example is the Toyota Prius. The batteries of these cars have a larger capacity and the electrical management system is more complex than with a ‘mild hybrid’.
Price of Hybrid Vehicles in the UAE
Hybrid vehicles have a bigger price bracket and you can find hybrids offered by brands like Kia and Toyota as well.
- The starting price of the new BMW i3 in the UAE is AED 207,300. You can also buy BMW i3 for sale in the UAE at reasonable price.
- The starting price of the new Toyota Prius in the UAE is AED 94,950. You can buy used Toyota Prius for sale in the UAE.
- The starting price of the new Mitsubishi Outlander in the UAE is AED 79,500. You can also buy second hand Mitsubishi Outlander for sale in the UAE.
- The starting price of the new Kia Optima in the UAE is AED 70,000. Also, buy used Kia Optima cars in the UAE at affordable rates.
Hybrid Cars Vs Electric Cars – What’s the Difference?
The major difference between electric and hybrid cars is that hybrid cars offer more control and flexibility. Hybrid cars autonomously switch between power sources while fully electric cars do not use any fuel at all.
Another benefit of hybrid cars is that they do not require to be charged at a station. The battery is recharged by residual energy released during driving and braking. Some hybrids can run on electricity for short journeys before they automatically switch to the combustion engine.
Environmental Impact
New options for sustainable vehicles are on the rise. However, some of them like solar cars are still not available as a mass-production. this brings EVs as one of the top contenders on the list. Electric vehicles convert 95% of electric energy into motion while the efficiency of internal combustion is 30% with 70% of energy lost to the environment as heat or noise.
Though EVs are certainly better for the environment from an emissions point of view, consumers usually opt for hybrid vehicles while making the switch from regular cars to eco-friendly cars. Hybrid cars are more fuel-efficient as the car can switch between electric and traditional engines.
A hybrid vehicle combines electricity with a diesel or petrol engine but also uses residual heat and energy from the diesel or petrol engine to charge the electric battery in the car.
Cost-Effectiveness
Cost-effectiveness is another important aspect of the hybrid cars vs electric cars debate. The initial cost of fully electric cars is higher since there are fewer options available in the market.
Given the combined engine capabilities, hybrid vehicles are less expensive and easy to maintain in the long run. Conversely, for longer journeys, you will save more with a fully electric vehicle.
Convenience
While many believe that it is easier to own a hybrid due to the easy availability of fuel, the UAE government is continuously evolving the country’s infrastructure to facilitate electric car owners.
Over the last few years, more than 240 electric vehicle charging stations have also been installed in Dubai, aiming at a total of 300 by the end of 2020. With over 632 charging points across the UAE, there is no shortage of convenient places to recharge an EV.
After the launch of the Green Charger initiative in 2015, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has extended free electric charging stations for EV owners until December 31, 2021. The extension allows owners to register for the EV Green Charger Initiative that allows them to charge their vehicles for free at DEWA electric car charging stations.
Consumer buying behaviour and manufacturers’ focus are progressively shifting towards greener vehicles. Although the cost of hybrid and electric cars is slightly higher than the cost of conventional vehicles, the drawn-out advantages make them an incredibly profitable asset.
Now that you know everything about both the eco-friendly options, find your next hybrid, electric and other used cars in the UAE at affordable rates.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blog for more information about your favourite car type.
Related Posts
