Why Buy an Electric Car Instead of a Hybrid or Petrol/Diesel?

You might be stuck when it comes to the differences between ICE, electric, and hybrid cars. 

 

Here are the disadvantages of each, to help you make the best decision.

 

What is an Electric Car?

An electric car runs completely on a battery, which is charged up using electricity from a power source. Electric car batteries store chemical energy and convert it to electrical energy through the flow of electrons from one material to another.

 

The electric motor converts this electrical energy into mechanical energy, providing the power to drive an electric car.

 

They also generate torque thanks to the interaction between a magnetic field and electric current within an electromagnetic coil.

 

What is a Hybrid Vehicle?

A hybrid vehicle can run using a combustion engine, an electric motor, and a hybrid battery. They are designed so that they can shift between using fuel or using electricity, or a mix from both power sources.

 

Depending on how much charge the battery has, a hybrid vehicle will primarily use its electric engine. When the car stops, such as at a traffic light, the engine will shut down completely.

 

It utilises the combustion engine whilst accelerating, driving up hills or when extra power may be needed.

 

What is an ‘ICE’ Vehicle?

An ICE vehicle is defined as any vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. It uses a traditional fuel source (petrol or diesel), a refined form of crude oil. This means ICEs are powered by fossil fuels, so can be highly polluting.

 

What are the Disadvantages of an ICE?

• More Expensive to Run. If you buy one of the most polluting new petrol or diesel cars, you can pay over £2,000 in vehicle tax for the first year. You can also pay £600 a year in road tax if you buy one of the most polluting vehicles registered before 2017. In contrast, electric cars pay no road tax.

• Oil is a Finite Resource. Eventually, we will run out of petrol and diesel, making ICEs obsolete. This scarcity and the refining process make fuelling an ICE more expensive than recharging an EV.

• More Maintenance is Needed. There are more working parts in a combustion engine, which increases the need for routine maintenance. It also means there are more parts that can go wrong. Even though maintenance costs may currently be lower than an EV, you pay them more often.

• Highly Polluting. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, such as CO2. This contributes to global warming as well as hundreds of excess deaths each year in urban areas. This is due to smog and other air pollution.

 

What are the Disadvantages of a Hybrid When Compared to an ICE?

• Less Power. The engine must be smaller to fit an electric motor in the engine bay as well. This means it produces less horsepower and torque.

• Poorer Handling. A hybrid carries plenty of extra weight because of the electric motor and battery pack. This would impact fuel economy if manufacturers didn’t offset it somewhere else. This is usually within the suspension and body, so the car is less stable.

• Higher Maintenance Costs. A mechanic needs special qualifications to service and repair a hybrid because of the electric motor and batteries. According to the IMI, only 16% of UK mechanics hold this qualification. Less choice means more demand, and more demand means higher prices.

• More Expensive. The extra technology in a hybrid makes them far more expensive than standard ICE models.

 

What are the Disadvantages of an Electric Car Compared to ICE and Hybrid Cars?

• Finding Charging Stations. There aren’t as many charging stations as there are petrol stations, so if you live in a remote area of the country, they may be harder to come across.

• Takes Longer To Fuel. Filling a tank full of fuel only takes a few minutes, but charging an electric car can take hours.

• You Are Limited by Range. The average electric car can travel 263 miles. If you are driving long distances, this may add hours to your journey.

• Brand new EVs tend to be more expensive than their ICE and Hybrid counterparts.

 

The Differences Between ICE, Hybrid & Electric Cars

Electric Cars

• Battery power only
• Fully automatic with no traditional transmission
• Far fewer working mechanical parts
• Specially trained mechanics needed for servicing
• Zero exhaust emissions
• Can recharge them at home overnight
• Exempt from Congestion Charge
• Exempt from Clean Air Zone charges

 

Hybrid Cars

• Multiple fuel sources
• Available in both automatic and manual. Require a traditional transmission.
• Hundreds of working mechanical parts
• Specially trained mechanics needed for servicing
• Reduced exhaust emissions
• Some models can be charged at home overnight
• All drivers must pay Congestion Charge
• Some drivers may have to pay Clean Air Zone charges

 

Petrol/Diesel Cars

• Internal combustion power only
• Available in both automatic and manual. Require a traditional transmission.
• Hundreds of working mechanical parts
• Any qualified mechanic can service them
• Often quite high exhaust emissions
• Have to visit a petrol station to refuel
• All drivers must pay Congestion Charge
• Drivers of old or high-polluting vehicles must pay Clean Air Zone charges

 

When Do All Cars Have to Be Electric By?

It will be illegal to sell new petrol and diesel cars in the UK after 2035. This means that manufacturers must make their range completely electric by then.

 

The deadline differs in different countries. However, to achieve 95% electrification by 2050 (as set out in previous climate agreements), all new cars must be electrified by 2035 at the latest.

 

You might want to get ahead of the game and buy an electric car sooner.

 

Which Car Depreciates the Fastest?

Since electric cars have become a more popular option, they tend to depreciate at a slower rate than ICE vehicles. If you'd like to know more about electric car depreciation, you can do so here.

 

The best way to ensure your car keeps its value is to keep on top of regular servicing and maintenance. You can book your vehicle for a service at any time using our website.

 

 

Read More

How Far Can an Electric Car Go?

‘Range Anxiety’ is a big factor in deterring drivers from electric cars. Many worry that the batteries don’t have enough range for their normal driving habits. Find out how far electric cars go between charges here.

 

What Electric Cars are Available in 2024? (And Which Should I Buy?)

If you’re looking to buy an electric car, you'll want to see all your options in one place. In this guide, you'll discover which brands offer electric vehicles and see a full list of the EVs available in 2024.

 

How Much Does an Electric Car Cost?

How affordable is an EV? Will your budget stretch to owning one? Well, you can discover the average cost of an electric car as well as the price range of all UK models in this article.

 

When Will All Cars Be Electric in the UK?

Electric cars are growing in popularity. In fact, many experts predict that they will hold a majority market share long before the 2035 ban on new ICE sales. Learn more about when all cars will be electric in the UK in this guide.

 

Are Electric Cars Really Better for the Environment Than ICEs?

Even though there are plenty of environmental advantages to driving an electric car compared to other fuel types, the way we build them doesn't differ too much. Plus, there are a few other issues that means the lifecycle of an EV might not be as green as you think. Learn more about the issue in this guide.