What’s Better? EV or HEV, Think before your next purchase

The e-mobility revolution has begun in the automotive industry. According to research by Accenture, Europe, BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) will account for 16% of total car sales by 2025. Many government policies are being framed to promote EV sales as they directly contribute to sustainable development.

Studies reveal that the transport sector contributes 13.5% of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Switching to EVs and HEVs (Hybrid Electric vehicles) is the only option to reduce CO2 emissions. It is propitious to witness that people prefer hybrid and BEV or EV over conventional vehicles. It is because an electric vehicle can perfectly replace a gasoline vehicle. EVs are yet to arrive with advanced features by implementing Artificial Intelligence shortly.

Different Types of Electric Vehicles

We have different types of electric vehicles, making them ideal for different requirements. The primary difference between HEV and EV is Hybrid vehicles deploy an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) in addition to the battery pack. EV cars solely depend on the power of the battery pack and motor to drive the transmission system. Whereas HEV vehicle's transmission system is driven by both motor and Depending on the battery's power, HEVs are further classified into Plug-in HEV, Mild HEV and Full HEV.

Let us now compare and contrast EV and HEV.

What is Ideal for a Long Trip?

Despite its high price and maintenance cost, people consider a car as property because of the comfort it offers for a long trip. It offers a comfortable travelling experience, and you can reach all your destinations without hassle. An HEV vehicle would be convenient for such trips because the battery alone will not be able to pull the vehicle for longer distances without charging.

A BEV is ideal for shorter travel, and the battery has to be charged while travelling for long distances. Even if the battery of HEV is drained out while travelling, you can use the ICE.

Here the infrastructure of the city plays a major role. India needs 46,000 EV charge stations by 2030 to reach the global benchmark standards. You can start using BEV for longer distances only when there are sufficient road charging stations.

Comfort of Riding

After travelling in conventional vehicles, the first thing you would notice while riding in a BEV is the reduced noise. EV motors don't make noise and vibrations like an ICE engine. EV and HEV will provide the same comfort while the battery pack pulls the vehicle. However, when HEVs drive on gasoline engines, they make the same noise and vibration as conventional cars.

Feasibility of Charging

An EV may take up to eight hours to charge from zero to full charge, which is too long for anyone to wait and get it done. Research is ongoing for newer technologies that will increase the speed of charging. It is an important drawback of adopting EV cars. Therefore, the HEV vehicle is the feasible option for now.

Based on your preferences, you can choose an EV or HEV. They both offer lower maintenance costs and are cost efficient than conventional vehicles. You have to adopt new methods before owning an electric vehicle, as switching between conditional to electric vehicles would be tricky.

If you want to learn what is EV and know more about its functions, watch the full video list of 'How does an Electric Vehicle work?' for free.