When looking for a new, efficient ride, there are plenty of options out there these days. That includes both hybrid cars as well as electric vehicles. What is the difference between electric vs. hybrid vehicles, though?

Our Bill Rapp GMC team explains below so you can figure out which type of vehicle is most suitable for your travels around Syracuse, Oneida, and Liverpool, New York! Contact us with any questions you may have.


What is a Hybrid Car?

The main thing that separates hybrid vs. electric is the way in which the car is powered. A hybrid is as its name suggests: It is powered by a combination of sources. One is an internal combustion engine, which is the traditional engine found in gas-powered cars. It also has an electric motor, which is powered by a battery, that also contributes to making the car drive forward or in reverse.

Because it relies on a combination of both gas and electrically generated power, it can create the horsepower and torque needed to drive while using less gas than a car that has just a gas-powered engine. Hybrid vehicles can smartly use power from the electric motor to get you around and just tap into its gas tank when needed.


A Look at Electric Vehicles

Now with an electric car, the vehicle is reliant on getting its power from only an electric source. Typically, one or dual electric motors are what helps the wheels turn on the electric vehicle and are powered by chargeable batteries.

Because of this, electric cars produce less emissions than traditional gas-powered vehicles. They also allow you to stop spending time at the gas station since you will no longer need to pump gas into your car.

Instead, the electric car will come with a range, which is the amount of miles it can drive when its battery pack is fully charged. When this starts to run low, you can either charge your vehicle by simply plugging it in at home or while on the go at a public charging station.


Hybrid vs Electric: Which is Right for Me?

The decision of which type of car to get, electric or hybrid, will come down to what personally makes the most sense to you. Both have their benefits, so it is best to see which one is the most suitable for your lifestyle.

If you are a home owner, you might have an easier time charging your car than if you rent an apartment. That is because you can plug it right into a standard outlet in your garage or even install a Level 2 charger into your home. This might make it extremely feasible to make the switch to an electric vehicle that offers the eco-friendly performance you'd like. You can also eliminate various maintenance requirements with an electric vehicle since it will no longer need oil changes and other services specific to internal combustion engines.

If your travels take you far, you might be able to get there without having to take any pitstops with a hybrid. Weekend adventures become easy with hybrids since its use of gas and electric energy can let you drive for hundreds of miles before you have to even think about refueling!


Get a New Hybrid or Electric Car Today!

We hope this helps you see more clearly whether a hybrid or electric car is the right fit for your daily journeys around Syracuse, Oneida, and Liverpool, NY! Either way, you will find a variety of efficient options here at Bill Rapp GMC, so stop by today to see our hybrid and electric car inventory! 

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