Although they are often lumped into the same category, hybrid and electric cars differ substantially. While both types of designs offer some advantages over internal combustion designs, choosing the right option for you and your family will require substantial research. Here are some of the similarities and differences between these two types of cars.

How Do Electric Cars Work?

Electric cars are relatively simple. A set of batteries is charged, and this energy is used to drive simple electric motors. When the car is not being used, it is plugged in to ensure that the batteries are capable of functioning when they are needed. Electric cars have been around for decades, but battery technology has limited their usefulness. Modern electric cars often have a range of only 40 or 50 miles. For daily commutes, this is often more than enough; for road trips, however, more mileage is necessary.

How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

Hybrid cars are essentially standard cars with a small set of batteries and a small electric motor. Cars generate a tremendous amount of heat during standard operation; brakes, for example, convert forward momentum into heat to slow vehicles. By harnessing energy that would otherwise be turned into heat, hybrid cars are able to charge their batteries. Hybrid cars have a relatively low range when operating on their electrical motors, but they have comparable ranges to standard cars thanks to their gasoline engines. Because of this, hybrid cars are considered more practical than electric cars.

Will Electric Cars Save Money?

Energy rates vary throughout the country. For example, Bounce Energy rates vary based on which state you live in. However, electricity prices are always cheaper than gasoline and diesel. While electric cars cost more up front, they will allow drivers to save money that would be spent on fuel. Current battery technology, however, is still relatively limited, and some believe that the batteries used in electric cars will need to be replaced sooner than manufacturers' claim. If this is the case, the total cost of ownership for an electric car may be significantly higher than that of a standard vehicle.

Will Hybrid Cars Save Money?

Hybrid cars get better mileage than comparable non-hybrid cars. In addition, their smaller batteries are often able to last much longer than the large battery sets used in electric cars. As a result, most hybrid car owners will save a significant amount of money over time. In addition, hybrid technology is improving, and it is expected to become more popular in the future. This will help lower the initial cost of hybrid cars and allow drivers to avoid the premiums currently incurred when buying modern hybrid vehicles.

It is difficult to predict whether electric cars will become standard in the future. If batteries improved dramatically, however, the advantages of electric cars will make them the smart choice for most drivers. Batteries that can charge quickly can help make the difference, but many experts still believe that the future of driving lies in hydrogen.