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8 Reasons Hybrids Are a Way Smarter Choice Than EVs

A hybrid vehicle can be a better choice. Find out why.

man is driving a Tesla car
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
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Electric vehicles have been getting a lot of attention lately. Not only are these vehicles friendlier to the planet than traditional cars, but they also help keep more money in your wallet because you don’t have to fill them with gas.

While an EV can be a way to lower your car costs and a good choice for many people, don’t overlook the option of buying a hybrid vehicle instead.

Check out some reasons why a hybrid can be a good option instead of an all-electric or gas-powered vehicle.

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You don't have to always worry about recharging

logoboom/Adobe electric cars in que getting charged at charging station

A hybrid vehicle allows you to use an electric motor until you run out of battery power. At that point, you switch to the gas-powered engine in your vehicle.

That means you won’t have to constantly worry about having a charged-up motor when you are out and about.

You won't have to deal with 'range anxiety'

Vitaliy/Adobe office worker stuck in traffic jam

Range anxiety is the worry that the battery in an electric vehicle might run out of charge before you can find a charging station. After all, the infrastructure to charge electric vehicles is not yet fully built up.

However, you don’t have to worry about range anxiety with a hybrid. The gas engine will kick in when you run out of an electric charge.

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You can refuel in minutes instead of recharging in hours

Maria Sbytova/Adobe man filling gasoline fuel in car

Recharging is a convenient option if you have easy access to a charging station or can charge the car in your garage. But charging can take some time.

On the other hand, refueling takes only minutes at a gas station.

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You get the best of both worlds

New Africa/Adobe Happy friends enjoying car road trip

A gas engine might be your best option for a road trip. Meanwhile, an electric engine is perfect for those local trips to the grocery store or picking up the kids at school.

In other words, a hybrid gives you the best of both worlds. You won’t have to worry about whether you have the right vehicle for the job.

The sticker price is often lower

Dusko/Adobe buying car at car showroom

Typically, a hybrid will cost you less than an all-electric vehicle.

However, hybrids usually qualify for fewer tax incentives than electric vehicles. So, be sure to compare all costs before making a choice.

They cost less over the long run

Nestor/Adobe car dealer with his clients

It’s important to not only consider the cost of a vehicle at the time you purchase it but also the ongoing costs throughout your ownership of the car.

Hybrids cost less to own over the first five years compared to an electric vehicle, according to auto website Kelley Blue Book.

It’s a good transition to an EV

CLShebley/Adobe Prius hybrid car is being filled with gasoline.

If you are not quite ready to buy an electric vehicle, a hybrid can be a good transition in that direction.

With the hybrid, you can keep one foot in the world of traditional gas cars as you boldly step with the other foot into the future.

You can save money on powering it

feeling lucky/Adobe customer using smart mobile phone

Gas prices fluctuate based on market factors. If you have a traditional car, you are stuck paying that price.

But with a hybrid, you can lean toward using electric power when gas prices are high. Once costs come back down, you can start using gas again without having to worry about the range anxiety that comes with EVs.

The flexibility of two power sources means you can pick and choose the source at any point.

Bottom line

VadimGuzhva/Adobe girl talks the phone on tesla car charge station

Hybrid cars may be a good option to consider if you’re not sure you want a gas vehicle or EV.
However, remember to think about more than just the initial purchase price when calculating the cost of your next car.

For example, you should consider repair and maintenance costs and shop around for the best deal on car insurance.

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Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.