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Hybrid vs. Plugin-In vs. Electric Vehicles

Hybrid, Plug-In, and Electric Vehicles: Which Is Best For You?

It’s official: hybrid and electric vehicles are here to stay. What was once an exciting new technology pulled straight from the pages of science fiction is now becoming increasingly more common on the roads and popular with many different kinds of people. Charging stations are popping up in more and more places, and there’s a good chance that someone you know already drives some form of an electrified vehicle.

If you’re considering making the switch to a hybrid or electric vehicle yourself, the first big decision you have to make is what kind of vehicle you want to drive. Hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and battery electric vehicles are all similar, but the crucial differences between them mean that each one has different advantages and disadvantages, and you have to consider your own lifestyle to decide which one will work best for you.

To help make this decision a little easier for you, here’s what you need to know about the differences between hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and battery electric vehicles.

Hybrid Vehicles

Traditional hybrid vehicles combine an electric motor with a gas-powered engine. Unlike other types of electrified vehicles that need to be plugged in to recharge, a hybrid vehicle doesn’t plug in at all. Instead, the vehicle is designed to recharge its battery itself as you drive.

The main benefit of a hybrid vehicle is that you get to combine the upsides of both a gasoline-powered vehicle and an electric one. You get to reduce your carbon footprint and how much you spend on gas, but you always have the option to run on gas when you need to, meaning you’ll never have to worry about the unlikely situation of being stranded with a dead battery and no access to a charging station.

However, if you’re looking to completely do away with your dependence on gasoline, a hybrid vehicle is not the way to go. Additionally, while battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are often eligible for certain tax credits that can save you money, hybrid vehicles are often not eligible.

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Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

A plug-in hybrid vehicle shares many of the same qualities as a traditional hybrid vehicle– it runs on an electric motor combined with a gas-powered engine, and it also gives you the benefits of an electric vehicle as well as the flexibility and easiness of a gas-powered vehicle. The main difference between them is that a plug-in hybrid doesn’t charge its own battery as you drive. You plug it in the same way you do with a battery electric vehicle!

The combination of gas and electric power gives you incredible practicality, extending the range of the vehicle for long trips. The vehicle can be charged at your own home, at public charging stations, and even at charging stations in public places like malls or grocery store parking lots.

If you think that getting and staying in the habit of regularly plugging your vehicle in to charge would be a challenge, then a plug-in hybrid is probably not the best option for you. Additionally, if you want to stop going to the gas station altogether, you’ll need a battery electric vehicle instead.

Electric Vehicles

Battery electric vehicles run completely on battery power, without any gasoline. They offer the least amount of environmental impact, since they are zero emissions, and they can offer you the most financial benefits as well, since electric vehicles are less expensive on average to maintain than other types of vehicles.

Like plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles can be charged in your home or at public charging stations. You don’t even need to have a special outlet installed if you don’t have the time or money for it, as electric vehicles can be charged perfectly well in a standard 120V outlet. A special 240V outlet is not required, although it will make charging much easier. Electric vehicles can often get you credits on your taxes, and you may even be eligible for other benefits from your state or your electrical company.

While an electric vehicle does provide many benefits, some drivers worry that their car will run out of battery in a place that’s not near any public charging stations, stranding them with no way to recharge their car. While most electric vehicles have a long enough range to prevent situations like this and charging stations are becoming more and more commonplace, the fear can be hard to work with, so if this is something that would worry you, a hybrid vehicle would be a better choice.

Switching to electrified vehicles can completely revolutionize the way you drive, and with Ford’s extensive lineup of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles, there’s an option at Kindle Ford for everyone. If you’re interested in learning more about Ford’s electric lineup, contact Kindle Ford for more information, or to discuss setting up a test drive. You can also take a look at our available inventory online, or visit our dealership!

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Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Prices include all costs to be paid by a consumer, except for licensing costs, registration fees, and taxes. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Prices include all costs to be paid by a consumer, except for licensing costs, registration fees, taxes, and $599 doc fee. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.