Confused about Electric or Hybrid Vehicles?

August 26, 2011 12:05 pm ET

So you’re considering a hybrid or electric car but you’re not quite sure what that means? No worries – we’ve got you covered!

A recent Synovate study highlighted that consumers are reluctant to purchase hybrid or electric vehicles (EV) because of confusion over how they work, including charge times, operation and emissions.

Knowledge is power.  That’s why it’s our mission to educate people on everything there is to know about owning electric vehicles.

Hybrid cars generally fall into one of three categories: Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), or Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV).

Check out the EVs breakdown below:

The Chevrolet Volt is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, meaning it runs primarily on an electric battery and only taps into the gasoline generator when the battery is depleted. The electrical supply is so efficient that Volt owners are finding that they can go for six months without fueling the car – a dream come true for Northeast road-trippers.

The Chevrolet Malibu is considered a Hybrid Vehicle, powered by gasoline or E85, an ethanol fuel. Hybrid cars are twice as efficient as gasoline-powered cars while driving in a city.  They even have lower emissions and consumption due to regenerative breaking.  In other words, your hybrid vehicle will run more efficiently because city driving creates kinetic energy for your car to run on.

There are other fuel-efficient cars like the Chevrolet Equinox, and Cruze Eco, which provide the highest highway gas efficiency in America.  Earlier this year, auto writer Richard Truesdell and his golden retriever, Savannah, road tripped in a Chevrolet Cruze Eco from California to New Jersey on just 75 gallons of gas!

Despite the results of the Synovate study, electric and hybrid car adoption is catching on in locations across the Northeast:

• The City of Boston has added charging stations at high traffic locations, such as City Hall Plaza and Government Center.  EV drivers get a reserved parking spot and a free charge up for the same price as a regular parking spot, saving money and the hassle of finding a place to park your car
• According to Plug My Ride, a new network of organizations and individuals interested in advancing electric transportation across the Northeast, there are new charging stations up in New Hampshire and Connecticut
• In New York City, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced the addition of 50 new Chevrolet Volt electric vehicles to the city’s fleet. The Volts are among 70 electric vehicles that will be used by various city agencies, including the New York Police Department and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

With electric car excitement spreading, the leading motor assistance club, AAA, is launching roadside assistance for electric vehicles.  As part of the membership, EV mobile charging units will be dispatched with the emergency roadside agent, and will be able to power a car within an hour.  Also, it’s cheaper to recharge an EV than to fuel a conventional gas-powered vehicle according to a new study by Northeast Group, LLC.

It’s only getting easier to own a hybrid electric vehicle. Just thought you’d like to know…