Electric cars are not something that we are only reading about in novels anymore. Many companies are now specializing in these vehicles and more and more automobiles are launching with electric or hybrid variants aside from petrol and diesel ones. One of the major advantages of these cars is that they do not harm the environment and are cost-effective as well.
Let us look at some important points to note when we talk about hybrid vs. electric cars:

1. Cost of fuel
The cost of fuel is the most important difference between hybrid and electric cars. While electric cars completely run on a battery that is recharged with electricity, hybrid cars have options of both battery and gasoline. They are usually started with the help of fuel and then they run on battery. However, owing to the driving habits of people, hybrid cars run on gasoline for longer durations, and thus there is a difference in the cost of operation. The only cost involved in an electric car is the addition to the electricity bill, which is minuscule as compared to it running on fuel. Thus, if you own a hybrid car and run it on electricity, the fuel costs are reasonable. However, if you’re prone to driving on fuel, there is a major cost difference.

2. Battery size
The size of the battery in a hybrid car is typically smaller than that in a fully electric car. Thus, although hybrids gives you the option of running on fuel, the battery mileage will be lesser than that offered on a fully electric car. If you have to travel a longer distance for work and wish to save on fuel, you should consider buying a fully electric car. However, it must be noted that for very long distances, an electric car might not work as there is a limit on the mileage, and it is not too high at the moment.

3. Maintenance cost
The maintenance cost on hybrid cars is typically higher than that on a completely electric car because of the lack of combustion engine in the latter. While some of the maintenance costs like tire changes, insurance plans, and damage to the body of the vehicle are common, other expenses like engine oil, coolant, and belt replacements are higher in hybrid cars. The one cost that is higher in case of electric cars is battery replacement, because electric cars have a bigger battery than hybrid cars.

4. Discounts and incentives
You must keep an eye on the kinds of discounts being offered on electric and hybrid cars. While there have to be discounts on both, when we are talking about electric vs. hybrid cars, there might be some extra federal offers on electric cars as they are more environment-friendly. Always check your dealer for any discounts before finalizing the car.

These are the differences between hybrid and electric cars that you should know about.