Key takeaways
- EVs are powered solely by an electric motor and have grown to become 9% of the car market in 2023.
- Hybrids and PHEVs are more readily available and generally offer the best combination for most because of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric motor combo.
- Combustion engines continue to be the workhorses of America, with the infrastructure to support it.
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are slowly becoming the face of the automobile industry and owning one continues to become more reasonable every year. Manufacturers are doing their best to increase ranges, make production costs cheaper and develop charging networks so that more of the American public can consider owning an EV.
An EV is any vehicle that runs purely off a battery without the use of any gas. There are a wide variety of brands that solely offer EVs but more manufacturers are entering the EV fold with their own battery powered vehicles.
Ford has done this to acclaim with the F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E and the E-Transit van. These vehicles have each paved their own way into the market and have become quite popular.
The Lightning was the first EV to offer the ability to power your house as a pseudo generator, and the E-Transit is the only electric cargo van offered by an established automobile manufacturer. The Mach-e might not be able to claim something of similar import, but it is one of the more reasonable electric offerings by Ford and continues to sell out fast.
Hybrids and Plug In Hybrids
Hybrids and Plug In Hybrids are vehicles that use both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine or ICE to power the movement of the wheels. These vehicles are considered by some automobile manufacturers to be the best offering of the electric car revolution.
Hybrids offer the use of an electric motor and a gas powered engine which are both always in use, albeit at different levels, all the time. A plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) has the ability to only run off of an electric motor for a range of miles and then run off of your gas tank once the range is depleted. While driving the ICE, the regenerative brakes will recharge the engine.
The name plug-in comes from the fact that you are able to charge the battery at home as well for your next foray into town. The benefit of a PHEV is that you will generally only use the electric range of the vehicle until you get up to highway speeds, at which point it works as a standard hybrid using both the combustion engine and motor to power the vehicle.
While EVs may not be the best vehicle for everyone, hybrids of both variants can work for everyone. The main downside is that iterations are generally only offered on higher priced trims of the vehicle and come at a higher cost than the standard ICE option.
These costs however may very well be worth it as you can save lots of money in gas prices throughout the life of your vehicle. On top of saving you money, the hybrid engine platform is arguably one of the most sustainable powertrains on the market and helps save the environment.
Gas Powered Vehicles
Combustion vehicles are what the majority of the public still uses as they continue to be reliable and offered at better prices than their electric counterparts. Combustion powered engines still offer better towing power and reliability than their electric counterparts for the foreseeable future. While many believe that combustion engines will be a part of history in the near future, it seems that EV sales have begun to plateau, as many continue to rely on combustion engines for their daily driver, family hauler, and work vehicle.
We believe that although EVs are becoming a powerful force in the car market, that gas powered vehicles will remain a viable option. This is mainly because of the already established network gas powered vehicles have. Not just because we have gas stations on every highway throughout America, but because of all the mechanics and repair companies.
The infrastructure for the combustion vehicle will be greater than that of the EV for the near future and combined with cheaper repair costs, it will continue to be one of the more reasonable vehicle options for the near future.
Choose what is right for you
The choice between an EV, Hybrid and plug in hybrid will largely come down to what works for you. EVs are great for those who have solar panels, a set and known commute every day and the ability to pay the up-front costs. Hybrid options are oftentimes better for those who can afford them as they lower gas prices, have a combustion vehicle’s range and can be easily fueled at any gas station.
Your average combustion vehicles may not accelerate as quickly as an EV, but combustion engines are able to deliver more power for extended periods of time and continue to be the engine of choice for those who need a working vehicle. Ultimately, the choice will often come down to price and availability. Whatever works best for you, we have it in stock and you can see below our EV and Hybrid option vehicles.