Hybrid vs Electric: Which is Better?

Electrically powered cars are the future. They're proven to work, they're cheaper to run, and they'll play a key role in our transition to greener energy sources. But should you commit to going fully electric, or is it better to choose a hybrid vehicle for the moment?

In this guide, we'll compare hybrid vs electric vehicles to help you understand which option makes the most sense for you.

What’s the Difference Between Hybrid Cars and EVs?

Hybrid and electric vehicles have one major thing in common: they use electricity to propel themselves forward. But the three major electrically powered vehicle types - hybrid, PHEV and EV - each approach this challenge quite differently.

Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid vehicles feature both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine (ICE). Batteries are charged by the engine and from braking friction, and this battery power is used to help the car accelerate, to hold it at a steady speed, or for slow driving of up to ~25 km/h.

Hybrid cars are far more fuel-efficient than traditional ICE vehicles. They don't need to be plugged in and can be powered by a petrol or diesel engine, which means they are quick to refuel and can have impressive driving ranges.

What is the downside of a hybrid car?

Hybrid cars are more efficient than ICE vehicles, but they are ultimately still powered by fossil fuels, so they aren't as efficient or good for the planet as fully electric vehicles.

PHEVs

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, sit between hybrids and fully electric cars. They feature both an internal combustion engine and a plug-in battery that is generally capable of powering the car by itself for 50km or so (although the range of the electric motor can vary significantly from model to model).

PHEVs can be a great option for people who live in the city, as you may be able to power your daily commute with nothing but electricity, which is kinder to both your wallet and the planet. And for longer trips, you can use the internal combustion engine without long recharging stops along the way.

But like hybrid vehicles, PHEVs still use fossil fuels, so they aren't as efficient as fully electric vehicles if you drive beyond the limited range of the electric motor.

Electric Vehicles

Electric cars are powered exclusively by electricity, stored in a large battery pack at the base of the vehicle. While initially seen as a novelty, reasonably priced vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Nissan Leaf helped to bring EVs into the mainstream, and they're now a common sight on New Zealand roads.

You can top up your electric car battery at home or at a high-speed public charge station. EVs emit no greenhouse gases, so are classed as zero-emission vehicles. A true zero-emission vehicle is one charged with renewable energy, which many EV owners achieve through a rooftop solar array on their homes. 

EVs are comfortably the cheapest vehicle to run: when you drive an electric car you pay the equivalent of $0.30 per litre for petrol. Mechanically they are also incredibly simple machines, so fewer things can go wrong.

The main drawback of electric cars relates to long-distance driving. While the average EV has a range of 250-500km, they take longer to 'refuel' - aka charge - than an internal combustion vehicle, so longer road trips might be interspersed with half-hour waits, and you may need to be more strategic about route planning, at least for the moment, to ensure you don't get caught short of a charger when you need one.

Comparison: Hybrid vs Electric

To gain a deeper understanding of exactly how Hybrid, PHEV and electric cars compare, let's take a look at the numbers. Note that the figures quoted below are the approximate averages for each vehicle category, and the actual numbers of specific models can vary greatly.

The information in this blog is of a general nature and does not constitute financial or other professional advice. Policy limits and exclusions apply - refer to the policy wording for full terms and conditions.