Electric Cars and Hybrids

Wondering how you can make a positive impact? Electric cars and hybrids are great options for those who need a vehicle and want to make as small of a mark as they can. Let’s take a look at EVs and Hybrid cars. 

Save money while reducing air pollution. 

We all know the best way to help in terms of air pollution would be to only use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike. But realistically many don’t/can’t for one reason or another. The next best thing is moving from your regular internal combustion vehicle to a hybrid or EV (electric vehicle).

You’ll be reducing your output of air pollution, save money with higher fuel efficiency, and receive special incentives and rebates for doing so!

Electric and hybrid cars seem to had a bad reputation because of the first models, which were slow and had very low ranges. After a few years, the newer models are now extremely impressive. For example, the new 2020 Kia Soul EV has 201 hp and 291 ft.-lb. of torque with a quick pick up from 0 to 60mpg. The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is also pretty astounding with the hybrid mode reaching 310 miles!

Let’s take a look at:

• Hybrid Cars (Standard & PHEV i.e. plug-in electric vehicle)
• Electric Cars (EV i.e. electric vehicles)
• Full Electric or Hybrid?
• EV and Hybrid Options

Hybrid Cars

Hybrids are vehicles with a combination of both the electric motor and the internal combustion engine (ICE). They can be used both at the same time, or one at a time, depending on the vehicle. This is great for the environment because less gas is used while driving in turn, reducing the output of carbon monoxide.

There are two kinds of hybrids: the standard hybrid and plug-in hybrids.

The standard hybrids use the car brakes and regular combustion engine to recharge the battery. They usually aren’t able to run on only battery but use the combination of the two engines together to increase MGPe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent).

For plug-in hybrids, the “battery can be recharged by plugging it into an external source of electric power, as well by its on-board engine and generator.” They can be plugged into a charging station like a full EV. Usually, plug-in hybrids have better batteries with a longer charge than the standard hybrids and are able to drive solely on the electric motor.

With both standard and plug-in, your car maintenance costs will be reduced! The electric motor will alleviate the work put onto the ICE which will make the need for common maintenance less frequent.

Alternatively, if you want to completely eliminate the use of gas…

Electric Cars

Full electric vehicles are cars that have only an electric battery motor. Why get one? Zero carbon monoxide emissions, zero gas cost, and less maintenance. You can charge up at home overnight or at a charging station. The range, or distance you can go on a full charge, can vary depending on make and model. These are great vehicles for short driving needs.

From work to running errands to back home will cost you zero in gas and a very small price added to your electric bill. We asked an owner of the 2018 Kia Soul EV how her bills have changed. She said “I was spending about $80 on gas a month. Now with the Soul EV, I’m spending nothing on gas and my electric bill has only gone up about $10 a month!”

So Full Electric or Hybrid?

To help decide whether an EV or hybrid is best for you, calculate the distance you usually are driving on a daily basis. The EV has a limited range before you need a charge. If you find yourself driving more than the range of the vehicle, opting for a hybrid would be your better choice.

With both, you’ll save money on gas as well as receive special incentives for buying! NJ electric vehicle incentives can be found here. 

EV and Hybrid Options

2019 Kia Niro Hyrbid

The Kia Niro Hybrid comes as either a standard hybrid or plug-in hybrid. This crossover SUV has a hatchback and is an awesome vehicle if you’re looking for a hybrid option.

 

 

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

This plug-in hybrid SUV is spacious and powerful as well as multi-award winning as World’s Best Selling Plug-in Hybrid SUV, Green Car Journal’s 2019 Green SUV of the Year, and ASG Best 5 All-Around Performance Award.

 

2020 Kia Soul EV

The newest EV to the Kia lineup stops you in your tracks! The Soul is already loaded with awesome features, now you don’t have to pay for gas. Lightweight and ready to roll. Coming soon to our inventory. Find out more information here.

 

 

 

2019 Kia Optima Hybrid

You know the Kia Optima for its style, elegance, and awesome features but did you know there was a hybrid option? Like the Niro, the Optima is available in the standard and plug-in hybrid!

 

 

Check out our full inventory of hybrid and EV options here. If you enjoyed our article, give it a share! Thanks for reading and starting your journey to helping save the planet!

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