Hybrid cars
Hybrid vehicles require half the amount of gas that regular cars use, while plug-in hybrids use only a quarter of that amount.
There are many types of hybrids, but the most common ones have a gas engine and one or two electric motors. The electric motor powers the car until the battery is drained, at which point the gas engine kicks in.
Plug-in hybrids operate on the same principle, but the battery is larger and can be charged at your home or closest public charging station.
The drawbacks
- Consumers have less to choose from in this category because users who want to go green often opt to go fully electric.
- Hybrids lose their environmental edge if the gas engine kicks in too often, or if it’s not practical to recharge the battery on a daily basis.
- Trunks are smaller in hybrids because having several motors takes up a lot of space (this is especially true in the case of plug-in hybrids).
Hybrids: Do you fit the profile?
If you typically drive short distances but want the flexibility to be able to take longer road trips, a hybrid may suit your lifestyle. They allow you to travel an average of 50 km on battery power and up to 400 km on the gas motor.
It’s also a good option if you don’t have a charging station at home, or if the prospect of running out of fuel stresses you out.
Above all, it’s important to have a relaxed driving style. If you tend to race on the road, your car will be using the gas motor most of the time, reducing the cost-savings and environmental benefits of a hybrid.
