Electric power is gaining traction in the automotive industry, which is why you might have noticed more and more electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf on Akron streets. If you’ve been thinking about making your next new car an electrified vehicle, you may have come across terms such as “EV”, “hybrid”, and “plug-in hybrid”. How many types of electric vehicles are there? Let’s take a closer look and explain the differences between these types of electric cars.

Many Akron shoppers have been surprised to learn that there are different types of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. How many types of electric vehicles are there? We’ll focus on three: EVs, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. Some would also count fuel-cell cars, but these vehicles are powered by hydrogen instead of electricity and are not available nationwide. The main three are:

• Hybrid
• Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
• Electric Vehicle (EV)

So, what’s the difference between the various types of electric vehicles? Hybrid vehicles rely on a combination of electricity and gasoline but consume less compared to regular gas-powered cars, whereas electric vehicles like the Nissan ARIYA do not use any gasoline. Plug-in hybrid vehicles fit in between hybrids and electric vehicles, having a larger electric battery than hybrids, and relying on the gas engine less. See a simplified breakdown of which electric vehicle will be most fuel-efficient below: 

• Hybrid – powered by gas and electricity, better gas mileage than conventional gas-powered vehicles
• Plug-in hybrid – powered by gas and electricity, better gas mileage than hybrids
• Electric vehicles – fully electric, zero gas and zero tailpipe emissions

Did you know that not all electric vehicles need to be plugged in? Hybrid vehicles have a battery, but that battery is small enough to be powered by the gas engine as you drive, requiring no extra plugging in. Plug-in hybrids, though similar to hybrids, have a much larger electric battery that can’t be charged by the gas engine alone. As the name suggests, they do require an external plug to charge their electric battery. Electric vehicles are charged by plugging into a charging station at home or at a public fast-charging station. 

The cost of electrified vehicles, especially hybrids, has been trending down closer to the levels of traditional gas-powered cars. Many regular hybrids are now in similar price ranges to traditional cars and can be an easy way to transition into the electric market! 

Plug-in hybrids and EVs may still cost more to purchase than traditional cars and hybrids, but they can help reduce fuel costs and may be less expensive to maintain. There are also potential federal and state tax incentives or credits you may be eligible for when you choose an EV. Talk with our finance experts and review our current offers to learn more about your next electric vehicle. 

Come down and talk to us about the electric vehicles offered by Nissan. We’d be happy to help you get behind the wheel of one of your own. In the meantime, you can learn more by checking out our additional car-buying tips for electric vehicles. We’re just down the road from Massillon, so drop by or contact us today!