Hybrid vs. Electric: Which is Right for You?

More and more Peoria drivers are trading in their conventional gas-powered vehicles in favor of the lower fuel costs and greener footprint of hybrid and electric cars. Whether you’re not sure about the difference between hybrid cars vs. electric cars, or you’re just deciding which is better for the way you drive in Phoenix, the team at Avondale Nissan can help!

Hybrid Cars vs. Electric Cars: the Basics

Let’s start at the beginning: what’s the difference in hybrid vs. electric? 

Hybrid Cars

Simply put, a hybrid car like the Nissan Rogue Hybrid is partially powered by a gasoline engine, and partially powered by an electric motor that’s powered either by regenerative braking or by plugging in. Drivers will enjoy significantly improved fuel economy, but will still need to make stops at gas stations. Just not as often. 

Among the benefits of driving a hybrid in Surprise, you don’t have to worry about charging a battery or learning any new driving or fueling habits. You’ll generally find that hybrids are priced lower than EVs. 

The bottom line: don’t change a thing about the way you drive! If you drive long distances on a regular basis it’s easier to find fueling for a hybrid than an EV. 

Electric Cars

And electric car (EV) like the Nissan Leaf is entirely battery powered. There’s no engine or engine components as you’ve known them, so it doesn’t use gasoline or motor oil. The upcoming 2023 Nissan Ariya will be able to go around 285 mile with a fully-charged battery, according to EPA estimates. Instead of fuel, EV batteries are “refilled” by plugging in at home or at a public charging station. 

Some of the benefits of EVs are well-known: they’re gasoline-free with almos zero emissions, offer a quiet ride, and are less expensive to maintain—no more oil changes! What you might not realize is that, even though an EV might cost more upfront, you’ll save not only on fuel costs but also on available incentives. While you do have to learn how to charge your EV, it’s relatively simple especially with a home charger. Sometimes you can even choose alternative energy sources like solar or wind for an even more environmentally friendly drive in Avondale. 

The bottom line: Are you looking for an excellent car for driving around Surprise, an EV is ideal for daily driving. That said, longer trips are possible and getting easier, thanks to apps that help you plan your route so you’ll have charger access. Plus, more and more chargers are popping up daily. 

Compare Hybrid vs. Electric Cars at Avondale Nissan

Now that you’ve seen hybrid cars vs. electric cars compared in print, see how they compare in person—schedule a test drive at Avondale Nissan! If you’d like to learn more about hybrids, EVs, and conventional vehicles, check out our Nissan information hub.