Hybrid vs electric

Everything you need to know

What's the difference?

It’s impossible to imagine a world without electric vehicles. And the good news is that there are many ways to drive an electric vehicle. But what is the difference between a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric vehicle?

Hybrid

A hybrid is powered by a combination of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. It only uses the electric motor when accelerating and at speeds of up to 25 km/h, which makes it an ideal vehicle for cities. If the speed goes up, the internal combustion engine kicks in. The electric motor is charged every time you brake while driving.

Plug-in hybrid

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) have an internal combustion engine and a battery, just like a hybrid. But in addition to charging the battery while you are driving, you mainly charge it by plugging it in at home or on the go. This gives plug-in hybrids a far greater range than parallel hybrids.

Electric

A battery electric vehicle (BEV) is powered by a large battery that is connected to at least one electric motor. There is no petrol, gas or diesel involved. Battery electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common and affordable thanks to rapid innovations by relatively new companies such as Tesla and established car manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Nissan.

What’s more, the charging infrastructure and technology is developing and improving all the time, while the charging network has grown exponentially in recent years in North America, Europe and China in particular.

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Electric driving FAQs

How many kilometres can I drive on a fully charged battery? The number of kilometers depends on the car's battery size and efficiency as well as driving pattern. You can drive approx. 350-450 km on a fully charged battery with a capacity of 70 kWh. However, you can drive even longer if you drive sensibly. Speed drains the power from your battery, so remember to stay below the speed limits. There are also other factors that can affect the range of your car: - high or low temperatures - wind - a fully loaded car How long will it take to charge my vehicle? It depends on many factors, including the type of car, the power left on the battery, how fast your car is charging, and the type of charging station you are using. With a home charging stand (A/C charging), with three phases, you should expect it to take approx. 6-8 hours to charge the battery from 20-100%. If, on the other hand, you use a supercharger, your battery will be 80% charged in just 15-30 minutes.Does an electric vehicle require different maintenance than a petrol or diesel vehicle? An electric vehicle requires less maintenance than a combustion propelled car and an EV has fewer moving parts. As a result, the wear of an electric motor is lower. Oil changes, exhaust and gears are things of the past and the brakes are less sensitive to wear thanks to regenerative braking.How safe are electric vehicles? Electric vehicles are approved for all safety factors, just like conventional vehicles. In the event of a collision, there is a possibility that some parts may receive an active charge or that short-circuiting causes an electrical fire, though the safety precautions and construction have limited this risk to an absolute minimum.Are the electric vehicles easy to drive? Driving an EV is even more straightforward than a conventional car. The gear stick is the same as an automatic transmission, so you only have to select Drive or Reverse to go. You will not use the brake pedal as often because the car uses a regenerative braking system that slows down the car when you take your foot off the accelerator.Are electric vehicles equipped as conventional vehicles? Regarding comfort, safety and technology the equipment is the same. Added features can also help you manage your journey, like a connected navigation system with charge points availability on the road, or smartphone application to control your charge from your phone, and much more.