Hybrid or electric

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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With lower costs, an influx of new makes and models, and waning range anxiety now that so many charging stations are springing up everywhere, it has never been easier or more attractive to go electric.

FAQs about electric driving

Can I have a home charging station? Generally, you can request a private charging station in the following situations: 1. You rent the property and it has off-street parking. Contact the landlord and ask about the possibilities. 2. You own your property and it has parking space on your land. In general, realising a private charging station is no problem at all. The technical specifications will be discussed with you when you apply. 3. You have an owner-occupied or rented home but no parking space on your own land. You can request a public charging point in your area through your municipality. Contact them directly to ask about the options and conditions. How do I set up my charge card? You do not have to activate the charge card. It is ready for use when you receive it. You do have to connect the charging card to your own charging station. You can do this via the website or app of the supplier of the charging station. This way the power consumption of your car can be reimbursed to you.How much does it cost to recharge my electric car? It depends on where you recharge it. In most situations, home recharging stations are the most economical. The average electric vehicle uses 15 to 20 kWh per 100 km. If your home electricity rate is €0.25 and you drive an average of 15,000 km per year, your charging costs will range between €563 and €750 per year. When charging away from home, your rate is determined by the recharging terminal provider. A starting fee and incentive rate are often charged in addition to the kWh charge. How long does it take to charge my car? The time it takes to charge your car depends on several factors: the type of car and its charging speed, the battery level, and the charging point. - Regular socket: around 10 hours - Public charging point: approximately 2 to 4 hours - Fast charger: 80% charged in 30 minutes (this is more expensive than at a normal charging point)

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