Hybrid and Electric Cars – 5 Things to Know Before Opting for One

Posted on: Jul 19, 2022 | | Written by:

Hybrid and Electric Cars – 5 Things to Know Before Opting for One

We are living in tough times, with fuel prices scaling mind-boggling heights. Which is why, having an electric or hybrid vehicle can seem like a good option as it can save you a lot of money. While electric cars are powered by lithium-ion batteries, hybrid ones use batteries as well as fuel in the form of petrol or diesel. However, both these options are good for the environment and your pocket as well. Electric cars are zero-emissions vehicles, so they do not cause any air pollution. And although hybrid cars use both fuel and electricity, they are better for the environment when compared to conventional models. If you are consideringbuying an electric or hybrid car,the following 5 considerations can help you choose wisely. Also, whichever car you buy, make sure you take a good car insurance policy and keep your vehicle covered against accidental damage, various natural and manmade events and even theft.

Things to know before choosing an electric or hybrid car

1. Fuel price:

Considering the ever-increasing prices of petrol and diesel in India, an electric car is a better option if you are looking for pocket-friendly transportation options. These cars are powered by electricity from batteries and they do not use any fuel. On the other hand, hybrid cars have gasoline engines as well as electric motors. They are ideal if you are looking for fuel economy and more power.

2. Range or mileage:

When it comes to range or mileage, hybrid cars score higher than electric ones. Hybrid cars use both battery and fuel, so they can cover longer distances when compared to EVs. An electric vehicle willrun onlytill its battery life allows. Once the battery gets discharged, you will need to locate a charging station and it may not be available easily.In case the battery of your hybrid car gets discharged, you can run it on fuel and even refill the fuel tank easily as most cities have a well-established fuel pump network.

3. Battery cost:

The battery is the most expensive part of an electric vehicle. A lithium-ion battery can cost as much as half the total price of an electric car. Hence, its repair and replacement costs can also burn a hole in your pocket, especially if you don’t have car insurance. Since hybrid cars use both battery and fuel, their battery repair and replacement costs will be almost the same.

4. Incentives and subsidies by the government:

Electric and hybrid vehicles help reduce air pollution and are easy on the pocket as well. Both electric and hybrid cars can run on batteries and they save users from the ever-increasing fuel costs. Considering that these cars can play an important role in reducing air pollution, state governments in India are offering subsidies and incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles. Many states, like Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal and Karnataka are offering 100% exemption on road tax for electric vehicles. Even hybrid vehicles are getting the subsidy push in India.

5. Impact on the environment:

Both electric and hybrid vehicles are better for the environment. Electric cars produce zero tailpipe emissions. Even if we take the emissions during electricity production into account, since electricity is used for charging the battery of an EV, they are about 3 times less than the tailpipe emissions from fuel-powered vehicles. Although hybrid cars use fuel, they are better than conventional cars as they can run on battery as well.

Conclusion

To sum up, both electric and hybrid cars are good options for eco-conscious people. However, if you are looking for mileage and flexibility, hybrid cars are better than electric ones. Electric cars can run out of battery on long trips and can be difficult to charge due to fewer number of charging stations. On the other hand, if your hybrid car runs out of battery and fuel,you can locate a fuel pump network easily and fuel it up quickly. Both electric and hybrid cars have expensive parts and any repair or replacement can cost huge bucks. Hence, make sure you take a good car insurance policy and stay covered.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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