Hybrid vs. Electric: What�s the difference?

May 15, 2022

In a world where you can look anywhere and spot a Tesla, a Prius, a Nissan Leaf, or even an electric luxury car like a BMW model i or a Jaguar I-PACE, a natural question may be: what is the difference between an electric car and a hybrid one? Where does a plug-in hybrid fit? And how does all of that apply to regular maintenance and brakes?

How do hybrid cars work?

A hybrid bears its name because it has both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Makes sense, doesn’t it? This type of hybrid cannot be plugged in. The electric motor is powered by the energy stored in the battery, which is produced by the regenerative braking. This type of hybrid car is often referred to as hybrid-electric and runs primarily on traditional fuel, with the support of electricity.

What’s a plug-in hybrid?

If a hybrid-electric car can’t be plugged in to charge the battery, then where do plug-in hybrids fit? This type of electric car also has both a conventional combustion engine and a rechargeable battery since it still is a hybrid. A plug-in hybrid runs primarily on electricity, with the backup option of using traditional fuel if you run out of power. That’s the main difference between a hybrid-electric car and a plug-in hybrid.

How do electric cars work?

An electric car has a fully electric engine, which is powered by—you guessed it—electricity. Some of this electricity comes from regenerative braking which stores power as the car is driven but most of it comes from the grid when the car is plugged in overnight, or even for a few hours, to charge. A pure electric vehicle has rechargeable batteries which store electricity then used to power the motor. In urban centres, you will now often spot a parking spot reserved for electric cars and outfitted with a charging station, especially at hotels and shopping malls. 

Hybrid car maintenance

When it comes to maintenance schedule and repairs, there is a significant difference between a hybrid and an electric car—the presence of the conventional combustion engine. This means you will still need regular oil changes for your hybrid to keep it running smoothly. 

If compared with a regular car, the good news is your hybrid’s battery will last much longer, and thanks to regenerative braking, so will your brake pads. Do keep an eye on your coolant since the batteries reach high heat and your transmission fluid, to keep the electric motor as clean as possible. 

Electric car maintenance

No combustion engine in an electric car means you don’t need oil changes and you will experience maintenance overall than a regular car, and even a hybrid. Similar to the hybrids, electric car owners enjoy longer wear on the brakes, because of regenerative braking. Common maintenance recommended for electric cars is tire rotation, replacement of windshield wiper blades, changing the air cabin filter, and flushing coolant and brake fluid circuits. The latter only has to be done every five years or so, which is not a huge time commitment. 

Overall, electric cars require much less maintenance than hybrid cars, and of course even less than regular cars. Still, keep an eye on everything to maintain the longevity of your electric or hybrid vehicle and avoid costly repairs down the line!