Hybrid vs Electric vs Petrol Cars: All You Need to Know
Two decades back, internal combustion engine-powered vehicles were a common sight. However, the last decade has seen more development and a shift towards hybrid and electric-powered vehicles. Natural resource scarcity and ozone layer depletion have encouraged auto manufacturers to manufacture energy-efficient vehicles with lesser carbon emissions. Furthermore, many automotive brands have vowed to go all-electric by the next decade.
Today, petrol, hybrid, and electric cars have become a common sight. Although each of these cars uses a different technology and cutting-edge features, they distinguish them from each other.
This detailed guide will help you understand the significant differences between hybrid vs electric vs petrol. Following this guide will help you choose your desired type of car in terms of the energy they use.
DIFFERENCES AMONG ELECTRIC, HYBRID AND PETROL CARS
Here is a complete breakdown of major differences between hybrid vs electric vs petrol cars:
WORKING
While the purpose of vehicles remains the same, there is a difference in the working principles of electric, petrol, and hybrid cars. Let’s take a look at how each of them generates power.
PETROL CARS
Conventional vehicles require fuel that goes through internal combustion in spark-ignition engines. Fuel combustion generates power through a two or four-stroke process.
HYBRID CARS
Hybrid cars are a mixture of electric and petrol cars. Normal hybrid cars use batteries that can be charged by regenerative braking, while the plug-in hybrid car battery works similarly to an electric car battery. However, the battery runs out of charge after 60 to 100 kilometres. Therefore, the hybrid car switches automatically to an IC engine.
The working principle of hybrid cars differs from electric cars. That said, hybrid cars motors run at relatively lower speeds while the car uses an IC engine to receive more power at higher accelerations.
ELECTRIC CARS
Electric cars are the most energy-efficient vehicles out of all. That said, EV owners need to charge their car batteries to utilise the vehicle completely. Batteries supply power to the controllers moving the car.
BUYING COST
With advanced technology and modern features, cars are becoming more expensive. Moreover, the global chip shortage has added to the rising prices. Electric vehicles are relatively newer and cost more than hybrid and conventional cars.
Given that hybrid cars incorporate features from electric and petrol cars, they are more costly than petrol cars. Conventional vehicles are common ones and their technology is relatively older and mass-produced. Therefore, petrol cars comparatively have lesser buying costs than electric and hybrid cars whether you buy a new or pre-owned petrol car.
That said, if you buy a used car in the UAE, you can find some budget-friendly car options. However, buying a used EV, hybrid, or petrol car isn’t an easy task. One needs to search for the latest model with updated software or require less maintenance to avoid problems when you own one.
MILEAGE
Car range or mileage depends upon the technology used. Many auto manufacturers such as Toyota, BMW, and Mercedes use direct fuel-injection systems, which provide better fuel efficiency. Hybrid cars are more fuel-efficient than conventional cars as they run on batteries and motors as well. Meanwhile, there are different types of EVs providing long and short range.
That said, the latest EVs come with a long range. Electric car models such as Al Damani DMV300, Tesla Model X and S, BMW i8, and Volkswagen ID4 are among the vehicles equipped with powerful batteries providing a long range. That said, you can find the following long-range EVs available in the used car market:
CARBON EMISSIONS
Global warming is on the rise, and environmentalists have expressed their concerns. That said, the automobile industry has focused on designing and using technology that reduces carbon footprint from cars. You can follow eco-friendly driving tips in your conventional car but an all-electric car has a net zero carbon footprint.
Conventional cars are powered by petrol or diesel, releasing carbon dioxide from the exhaust. Therefore, they release more carbon footprint from cars than hybrid or electric vehicles. Hybrid cars also release carbon emissions but in low amounts as they run on batteries as well.
FUEL AND CHARGING STATIONS
Since EVs are relatively new to the automobile market, the charging station network is not widely spread. However, there are Tesla charging stations in the UAE where EV owners can charge their cars in public spots. Plug-in hybrid vehicles can also benefit from these charging stations.
Meanwhile, if you own a conventional car, you can top-up fuel in your car from the top petrol stations in the UAE. Alongside, hybrid vehicles are beneficial as their battery charges from regenerative braking. That said, they provide an edge for covering short distances to fuel or charging stations.
MAINTENANCE
Since EVs have no moving mechanical components, they face no wear and tear. Therefore, an electric car requires less maintenance. EV and hybrid car batteries come with a warranty, and various car models have different battery lifespans. For instance, the hybrid car Toyota Prius has a battery lifetime of 200,000 to 300,000 kilometres, while the Tesla Model S has a battery lifespan of more than 500,000 kilometres.
Besides, a conventional car needs more regular maintenance, for instance, oil and car air filter replacements and timely oil changes. Therefore, owning an EV is more cost-effective since it will require less maintenance.
ARE ELECTRIC CARS BETTER THAN THE PETROL OR HYBRID CARS?
Electric and hybrid cars are the future. Thanks to high-end technology, the range of electric and hybrid cars have increased for longer journeys. Let’s go through the summarised pros and cons of hybrid vs electric vs petrol cars:
PETROL CARS
Here are the pros and cons that should be considered whether buying a new or used IC engine-powered car.
PROS
- Lower buying cost compared to other alternatives.
- Generates more power when towing another car.
- Hassle-free fuel-up with more petrol stations.
CONS
- More maintenance costs due to moving mechanical components.
- Contribute to global warming due to more carbon emissions.
You can look out for the popular luxury and non-luxury used cars from the following auto manufacturers:
- Used Mercedes-Benz in the UAE
- Second-hand BMW in the UAE
- Pre-owned Nissan in the UAE
- Used Toyota in the UAE
HYBRID CARS
Hybrid vehicles have multiple benefits. That said, it also has some disadvantages. Let’s go through the pros and cons of hybrid cars.
PROS
- More fuel economy than conventional vehicles.
- Hybrid vehicles save fuel costs since they use a battery as well.
- Less carbon footprint than petrol cars.
CONS
- Costly repairs due to high-end technology that is not mass-produced.
- Less power at the start because it runs from the battery and then switches to the engine.
- Higher buying cost due to the combination of two technologies that are IC engine and electric battery.
You can look out for the upcoming 2022 hybrid cars in the UAE or browse through the following car models which have hybrid trims in the used cars:
ELECTRIC CARS
EVs are the future and come with pros and cons. The following are a few things to consider when buying an electric car.
PROS
- EVs release no carbon emissions and have no tailpipes.
- Equipped with fewer moving parts save the maintenance cost.
- Less routine maintenance because EVs require no oil change or filter change.
- You can place charging stations at home from DEWA in Dubai or ADDC in Abu Dhabi.
CONS
- You will have to determine the range of the EV as a short-range EV can give you range anxiety when it runs out of battery on a long journey.
- Electric cars are more expensive than the other two types.
- EV takes more time to charge the vehicle.
- The number of charging stations are not as many as fuel stations but the number is increasing gradually.
You can look out for the upcoming 2023 electric car models in the UAE. This concludes the complete comparison of hybrid vs electric vs petrol cars. Choosing a car for yourself will depend upon your requirements. If you want to save your fuel and maintenance costs, EVs are better options.
Keep reading the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on different types of vehicles and their advantages and disadvantages.