The energy transition has been dominated by the move to electric vehicles. This is a good thing.
Data from Transport & Environment shows that cars and vans alone were responsible for producing 16 per cent of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. Domestic transport vehicles were responsible for 16.3% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. 72 per cent of the EU total road transport emissions.
It’s been clear for a while that something has to change. We cannot continue driving petrol and diesel vehicles that are so destructive to the Earth.
What are plug-in hybrid vehicles?
Since more than a decade, plug-in hybrid cars have been a popular choice. These vehicles combine petrol tanks with larger electric batteries. They require external power to recharge.
It’s fair to say that Electric vehiclesThey are no longer as popular. In the UK, for example, more than half of all new cars are battery or hybrid electric. Sales of fully electric cars have increased by 70% over the past year.
Despite this, there’s still a lot of misinformation and hearsay about the best eco-friendly options out there.
Many believe that plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs), are a great way to get into electric motoring. However, they can make false claims about their eco-credentials.
Pure electric vehicles also have their own barriers. Range anxietyPeople should pause to think about the cost and limited infrastructure for charging.
So if you’re stuck between models, here’s what you need to know.
Is it the right time for hybrid vehicles and to pull over?
Hybrids are a good compromise between electric driving and hybrids. They have a long-standing reputation for being eco-conscious vehicles. While they still emit tailpipe gases, they also have an electric motor that can cover shorter distances.
Despite this, Greenpeace UK has gone so far as to call plug-in hybrid vehicles the “car industry’s wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
These claims should be followed official testingIt has been proven that plug-in hybrids emit far more CO2 than the manufacturers claim. The tests were run on some of Europe’s best-selling hybrid cars – including the BMW X5 and Volvo XC60 – and show that hybrids can actually emit up to 89 per cent more CO2 than initial reporting shows.
This means that hybrid cars emit fewer emissions than their petrol or diesel counterparts. It’s largely down to the fact that hybrid vehicles have very limited electric driving range. Even the newest models can only travel about 100 km with the electric motor before a diesel or petrol engine kicks in.
Global discussions have erupted about when plug in hybrids should cease to be sold. The EU Parliament endorsed the following July: EU banon the sale and use of plug-in hybrid cars starting in 2035. The UK has also moved forward its hybrid ban to 2020.
Why are electric cars more costly than hybrids?
The high price tag is the biggest drawback to purchasing an electric vehicle. All-electric cars are generally more expensive than their petrol, diesel, or plug-in hybrid counterparts. As a comparison, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid has a starting price of €28,389 whereas the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 is priced much higher at €45,832.
This is due to the fact that they are produced in smaller quantities and incorporate more advanced technology. This is in addition to the general increase of cost-of-livingPeople are still recovering from financial losses due to the pandemic. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that consumers are struggling to find the funds to switch to an all-electric vehicle.
If people can afford a pure electric vehicle, they’re often left with fears of range anxiety and a lack of supporting infrastructure. While governments are pledging millions to expand and improve on-the-go changing points, there’s still a long way to go. In terms of range anxiety, it’s definitely still a valid worry.
There are many all-electric models on the European market right now that can travel more than 200km before they need to be recharged. The range of electric vehicles will only increase as EV technology continues to improve.
Are electric cars better for the planet?
The biggest benefit to purchasing an electric vehicle is its zero emission standard. Several countries around the world are starting to ban the sale new petrol and diesel vehicles, with the first being in NorwayIn two years. The ban was implemented in the UK, Sweden, and Germany by the rest of Europe starting in 2030.
Ginny Bockley, CEO of Electrifying.com, believes that electric cars made up 100 percent are a more sustainable choice for drivers. This is both economically and environmentally.
This is evident in the increase in sales of pure electric cars in the UK. Buckley adds that, “one in five cars registered in June had a plug, but the number of plug-in hybrids declined sharply, with just 5.5 per cent of the market compared to fully electric cars which had a 16.1 per cent share.”
Is it worth buying an electric hybrid car or should I switch to a pure electric vehicle?
Plug-in hybrid vehicles have something to offer the world at the moment – but they aren’t the end of our transport transition story. There’s some obvious environmental impacts that come with driving a hybrid vehicle, compared to a fully electric one.
At least for now, hybrids will still be available to purchase from new for 12 years. That’s a long time, and arguably long enough for motorists to get their money’s worth out of a vehicle. Dumping your perfectly-functioning hybrid for a shiny new EV is certainly not the sustainable choice.
Consumers will consider the price of any vehicle when deciding on their next vehicle. With the rising cost-of-living, this is likely to be a key determinant in their decision. As pure electric vehicles are so expensive at the moment, they’re often well out of the price brackets of the public.
While EVs do have the benefits of low running costs and sustainability, it’s unlikely we’ll see a huge rise in ownership until sale prices fall.
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