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If you are considering purchasing a new car, high gas prices may have you researching options that require fewer—or zero—trips to the gas station. According to a Pew Research Center survey, about 38% of American respondents say they are very or somewhat likely to consider an EV for their next car purchase. But how do you decide on your ideal model, and what are your charging options? Plus, what’s the difference between electric cars and hybrids? Here are some pros and cons of hybrids vs. electric vehicles to help you decide which is best for you.

Key Takeaways 

• Electric vehicles are fully electric automobiles that rely on batteries and do not have an internal combustible engine. These vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions.
• Hybrids and plug-in hybrids feature a dual power system with an electrical battery and an internal combustible engine.
• Tax incentives and state rebates may be available for new purchases of specific EV and PHEV models.

Hybrids vs. Electric Vehicles: What’s the Difference? 

If you’re in the market for an EV or a hybrid, you’ll quickly see that there are a variety of different vehicles that fall into these categories. Although many may be similar, there are a few key differences that could mean more to some than others. The three main types of vehicles we’ll be covering are electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids (HEV), and plug-in hybrids (PHEV).

Electric Vehicles (EV)

An electric vehicle is a fully electric automobile that relies on rechargeable batteries for power. EV batteries are typically charged using one of three plug-in charging methods, which are the only power sources available. EVs are zero-tailpipe emission vehicles because they do not have a combustible engine, nor do they burn any fuel. However, the energy used to charge an EV may come from a power plant fueled by natural gas, oil, or coal.

Hybrids (HEV)

As the name suggests, hybrid vehicles are both electric and gas-powered automobiles. Unlike EVs, hybrids contain an internal combustion engine and one (or more) electric motors that store energy in batteries. Standard hybrids do not need to be plugged into a power source to charge their batteries. Instead, hybrids use regenerative braking and the internal engine to produce electrical power. Because hybrids have an engine, they are not zero-tailpipe emission vehicles.

Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV)

Just like standard hybrids, plug-in hybrids are both electric and gas-powered automobiles. However, the key difference between the two is the addition of a charging port on PHEVs. Because of this, PHEVs have a larger battery that can store more electrical energy than a standard hybrid. These vehicles rely on regenerative braking and a combustion engine to charge the battery while the car is in motion. PHEVs act as a bridge between EVs and standard hybrids.

Pros and Cons of Hybrids and Plug-in Hybrids 

Pro: Improved Fuel Economy Without Major Change

Both hybrids and plug-in hybrids will help reduce the amount of money you spend on fuel compared to a standard gas-powered vehicle without having to commit to a major change. For example, the Toyota Prius has an EPA-estimated 57 miles per gallon combined fuel economy rating. Although plug-in hybrids can be connected to a power source, it isn’t fully required to operate the vehicle due to its internal engine.

Pro: Don’t Have to Worry About Running Out of Power

One of the best advantages of hybrids is their dual power system. Since all hybrids can run on fuel and electrical power, you won’t have to worry about getting stuck on the side of the road without a charge. Although EVs do have substantial range limits, having the option of both power sources may be a better choice for someone who is purchasing their first electrical vehicle.

Pro: PHEVs Have Enough Power for Small Commutes 

Depending on the model, most PHEVs will have electrical ranges between 25 and 35 electrical miles. If you have a shorter commute, a plug-in hybrid could be a worthy purchase that’ll help you save on fuel costs. Additionally, if you can charge your vehicle while at the office, you may be able to rely on electrical power for most of your regular commute.

Con: Hybrids Still Utilize an Internal Engine 

Although hybrids have lower emissions than traditional gas-powered vehicles, they aren’t zero-tailpipe emission vehicles because they burn some form of fuel. If owning a car that has a low environmental impact is important to you, hybrids may require some compromise compared to an EV.

Con: Engine Maintenance 

Since hybrids contain a combustible engine, you must service them accordingly. This includes regular oil changes, replacing engine belts, and additional maintenance requirements that come with a gasoline engine. Plus, you’ll also have the car’s electrical components to worry about.

Pros and Cons of Electric Vehicles 

Pro: EVs Come with Less Maintenance 

Although some maintenance may be required eventually, you can say goodbye to routine oil changes and other service requirements after purchasing an EV. EVs don’t have an internal combustion engine, so they do not need to follow the same service schedules as their gas-powered counterparts.

Pro: EVs Can be Cheaper to Power

In most cases, it is cheaper to charge EVs at home than it is to visit the gas station. How much you save will depend on where you live and the kind of charging equipment you use daily. 

For example, the average cost of electricity in California is around 19.65¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh). At this price, charging an EV with a 65-kWh battery and a 259-mile range will cost you $12.77, or 4.93¢ per mile. To compare, it’d cost you $55.24 to go a similar distance in a 25-mpg gas vehicle at a gas price of $5.33 per gallon—the average fuel cost in California at the time of this writing.

Pro: EV Tax Credits

Owning an EV can come with additional benefits other than skipping the gas line. Depending on your model, you can earn up to $7,500 in federal tax credits for purchasing a new EV. For used EV purchases, the maximum credit is $4,000. Eligibility depends on where your vehicle was made and adjusted gross income. Some plug-in hybrids may qualify for these incentives, too. On a state level, some states, such as California, offer additional rebates depending on your vehicle.

Pro: No Tailpipe Emissions 

If owning a car with a low environmental impact on the road is important to you, then an EV is just what you need. Since they don’t burn any fuel, fully electric vehicles come with zero tailpipe emissions.

Con: Limited Range 

Although most EVs will have driving ranges comparable to gas-powered vehicles, you don’t have the same refueling options. With an EV, you can’t stop by one of the thousands of gas stations in your state. Instead, you’ll have to plan your route to ensure there are charging stations you can stop at before you run out of power. More and more charging stations are built yearly, but it could take time before the infrastructure is fully comparable.

Con: Not Many Affordable Options

Car prices have soared for all types of vehicles over recent years, and EVs are no different. Due to their technology, EVs are typically more expensive than their gas counterparts. Although there are a few entry-level EVs that don’t come with a hefty price tag, such as the Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Bolt, these will still cost you around $28,000 for basic models.

Con: Longer Charging Times  

How long it takes to charge your EV will depend on the type of charger that you use. For at-home charging, the fastest speed currently available is around 25 miles per hour of charge using a level 2 charger. Level 1 chargers will provide about 5 miles per hour of charge. Fast charging stations can provide up to 250 miles per hour, but you cannot install these stations in a home due to their major power requirements.

What About Auto Insurance? 

As we can see, there are plenty of ways to introduce electric power in your daily commute. Whether you decide on a fully electric vehicle or ease into the transition with a plug-in hybrid, there are plenty of factors to consider. But what about auto insurance? Is it more expensive to insure an EV or hybrid? Purchasing insurance for an electric vehicle or hybrid is the same as purchasing insurance for a gas-powered car. However, a key difference is cost.

In most cases, it will cost more to insure an EV due to their higher cost and expensive parts. Although EVs don’t have engines, the parts they do have can be costly to replace and require specialized labor. All of these factors can result in higher payouts for insurance companies after a claim, which results in higher rates for policyholders. However, you will still have access to most insurance discounts for being a good driver, bundling policies, or being claim-free.

If you’re considering purchasing a new vehicle, we recommend speaking with an insurance specialist to understand how the change may affect you. At AIS, we have over 55 years of experience helping our customers navigate the insurance marketplace and find policies that work best for them. To speak with one of our specialists, give us a call at (888) 772-4247.

The information in this article is obtained from various sources and is offered for educational purposes. Furthermore, it should not replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Whether it’s for the holidays or an upcoming birthday, shopping for a car enthusiast can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re not into cars yourself. However, there’s no need to worry! To help you along your search, we put together this list of some of the best car gift ideas for the car fanatic in your life. So, if you’re ready, let’s ditch the classic coffee mug gift and search for something they’ll really enjoy.

9 Car Gift Ideas for a Car Enthusiast  

1) Chemical Guys 14 Piece Car Wash Kit

If anything is true, it’s that car enthusiasts love to keep their rides clean. Starting our list of car gift ideas is a car wash kit from the Chemical Guys. Sure, the car fanatic in your life likely already has some form of car washing gear that they use regularly. However, what makes the Chemical Guys kit stand out is that it is a one-stop shop with everything you need to make your car feel as if it were professionally detailed.

There are plenty of kit options available, but we recommend going with the 14-piece kit, which retails for around $119. This kit includes a foam blaster (garden hose compatible), a wheel brush, quality cleaning products, and a bucket to store everything in.

2) A Dash Cam

Dashboard cameras have come a long way since their initial release. Today, it’s possible to find a quality dash cam for around $100, making it an excellent gift for any car enthusiast. Not only will a dash cam help capture valuable video evidence after a collision, but many also feature a parking mode that will record additional incidents, such as vandalism or a hit or run. Plus, having video evidence of these types of accidents can help speed up the claims process with an insurer.

Although a dash cam can benefit drivers and insurers, it’s important to know there aren’t any auto insurance discounts for installing one. Still, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth the purchase. One of our favorites is the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 ($99.99), a compact camera perfect for a first-time owner. The Mini 2 comes with standard features such as HD recording and live view but can also be modified to record parking incidents with an additional kit.

3) Armor All Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum 

Okay, maybe the car lover in your life only trusts a specific cleaning product, so a car wash kit is out the window. But what about a portable vacuum? Armor All’s Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum isn’t as large as the shop vacuums it takes its look after. However, it still packs enough power to suction debris from a car’s interior. Plus, its smaller size makes it easy to store in a garage or even in the trunk. This vacuum retails for $65.95 and comes with various attachments to reach between the seats and other tight spaces.

4) All-Weather Floor Mats

Regarding keeping a car’s interior clean, another great car gift is all-weather floor mats. If the car enthusiast in your life likes to get dirty, these types of floor mats will help their vehicle floor clean.

There are plenty of brands to choose from, but we enjoy the all-weather mats by Motor Trend. Built using durable materials, these floor mats can handle the messiest of shoes in all types of weather. The built-in ridges help keep any liquids from spilling over, and their overall design makes it easy to remove for proper cleaning. Not sure what size you need? No worries, most are trim-to-fit, so all you’ll need is a pair of scissors if they’re a little too big.   

5) Roadside Emergency Car Kit

This gift may not be as fun as others on our list, but it’s still essential. A roadside emergency car kit is a valuable tool to have in the event of a breakdown or accident on a lone road. While the kit may not have all the tools needed to work on an engine, it can contain supplies to keep you safe while you wait for a tow.

You’ll find no shortage of options when searching for a roadside emergency kit. However, we recommend one that has these critical components:

• Jumper cables
• Reflective triangle
• Tow rope
• First aid kit
• Emergency poncho and blanket
• Duct tape and basic tool kit
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Work gloves
• Pen and paper

6) Pop Up Rooftop Tent 

Out of all of our car gift ideas, this one may seem the most extreme, but if it’s for a special person in your life, the joy they’ll receive from it can be well worth it. For many outdoor adventurers, having a rooftop tent is an effective way of combining the need for shelter with ease of portability. Since they attach to a rack on top of a car, these types of tents will help free up space inside of a car during the travel phase.

The type of tent you purchase will ultimately depend on the kind of vehicle it will be mounted to and the amount of space desired. Some tents are best for larger vehicles, while others are specifically made for smaller cars.

7) Book a Day at the Racetrack

If the car enthusiast in your life is a fan of speed, what can be a better gift than a ticket to a racetrack? If you live in the Southern California or Atlanta area, Porsche offers racetrack experiences on their development courses. Designed to be the ultimate playground for sports car enthusiasts, the Porsche Experience Center is a thrill unlike any other. There are various ticket options available, such as a chance to get behind the wheel or feel the rush of being in the passenger seat of a Porsche GT. Regardless of the option you choose, this will surely be an experience they’ll never forget.

8) Flashlight LED Finger Gloves

Next on our list is a gift that makes a great stocking stuffer: LED flashlight gloves. Although they may seem silly, these little gloves come in handy when working in those tough-to-reach places, like underneath a car or hood. With these gloves, you can have both hands free instead of using one to hold a standard flashlight.

9) Car Trash Can

If you’re looking for a quick gift idea for a car enthusiast, how about a gift that will help keep their car tidy? A car trash can may seem odd initially, but you’ll be surprised how useful it can be. With a car trash can, it’s easy to manage old receipts and other small trash instead of shoving them into the cup holders. There aren’t any significant differences between brands, but some do come with attachments that keep them secure in place.

Keeping Your Car Protected 

At AIS, we have over 55 years of experience helping drivers keep themselves and their assets protected against sudden accidents. Whether you’re searching for additional coverage or moving, our team of insurance specialists will assist you through the process of comparing quotes from our network of insurance partners. To learn more about how AIS can help you, give us a call at (888) 772-4247 or start a quote online. 

The information in this article is obtained from various sources and is offered for educational purposes. Furthermore, it should not replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.