Hybrid vs. Electric Cars: Which Is Right for You?

Hybrid and electric cars used to be niche, expensive, and hard to find, but they’re more available (and affordable) than ever these days! Almost every popular automaker offers a hybrid or electric vehicle in their inventory today, and Suntrup Hyundai South is no different. Whether you’re looking for a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, EV, or even a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, we’re confident you’ll find something to love in our lineup. But, what exactly is the difference between a hybrid vs. electric car? Suntrup Hyundai South has everything you need to know in the guide below – check it out!

Hybrid Cars vs. Electric Cars: The Basics

Before we compare the advantages of driving a hybrid vs. electric car in St Louis, let’s go over the basics of each powertrain:

Hybrid Cars

As the name suggests, hybrid cars are powered by a hybrid gasoline and electric powertrain, making use of both a traditional internal combustion engine and a battery-powered electric motor. If you drive a traditional (parallel or series) hybrid, then the battery self-charges as you drive, while plug-in hybrids have more powerful batteries that have to be plugged into an EV charging station to recharge. No matter what type of hybrid you drive, you’ll enjoy improved fuel efficiency and performance on the Jefferson County roads. If you’re curious to see what it’s like to drive a hybrid, then check out our new and used hybrid models at Suntrup Hyundai South.

Electric Cars

Electric cars are powered completely by an electric motor with no need for gasoline at all. The motor in an electric car requires a robust battery to run, so you’ll need to plug your car in at home or on the go to recharge it. EVs typically have much better performance specs than their gasoline-powered counterparts as well as zero tailpipe emissions and potential tax incentives. Because there’s no gasoline engine, electric cars also enjoy a near-silent ride and an extra bit of cargo space under the hood!

Benefits of Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid cars represent a nice middle ground for drivers who want an extra boost of performance and efficiency without having to leave gasoline power behind entirely. You won’t have to drastically change up your driving habits, but you’ll still get to take advantage of all the benefits of electric power! Here are some other benefits to driving a hybrid:

• The battery charges itself
• You can stop and fuel up at any gas station
• Hybrids are often more affordable than EVs

Benefits of Electric Vehicles

If you’re ready to take more of a leap and leave gasoline behind entirely, an electric vehicle may fit perfectly into your lifestyle. You’ll never have to stop at a gas station again, leading to long-term savings that you would otherwise be spending on fuel! EVs also enjoy significant performance improvements such as near-instantaneous torque and acceleration as well as reduced maintenance due to fewer internal components. Here are some other key benefits:

• Low or zero tailpipe emissions
• Quieter ride with no engine noise
• Potential EV incentives based on your location
• Flexible charging options, including home and public options

Compare Hybrid vs. Electric Cars at Suntrup Hyundai South

Now that we’ve compared the benefits of a hybrid vs. electric car on paper, you might be interested in testing them out for yourself! Contact our office to see what we have available, then head to our dealership to set up a test drive around St Charles. You can also contact us with any questions about the models in our lineup, and we’ll be happy to help you out. If you’ve made up your mind and want to move forward with the buying process, be sure to check out our finance center!