One of the problems of the modern world, if it can be called a problem, is the issue of choice; there’s simply too much of it. If a customer just wants a breakfast cereal, instead of several there are whole aisles of tasty treats to make your morning meal happier and healthier: So it is almost always has been with cars and now, for those who prefer electricity as their motive power, the decision has to be, which type of electric car is best for me?
Now that the electric vehicle (EV) has developed and matured, would be buyers are confronted with different types of hybrid cars and pure EV’s. Hybrids are vehicles that combine electric motors and internal combustion engines to reduce emissions and save on fuel (IF they are driven properly). The question is which suits individual needs and lifestyle. Hopefully, the following breakdown will help.
Mild Hybrid
If in doubt about the electric route and you only wish to dip a toe into the water, then mild hybrid is the way to go. This variation offers only a tiny electric motors that is connected to the engine’s crankshaft with a drive-belt. This motor helps the engine to turn over, improving its acceleration from a crawl and aiding efficiency at motorway speeds. Mild-hybrid cars come with auto or manual gearboxes and there’s a very special Range Rover Sport (pictured) with mild hybrid technology.
The electrical assistance is light and barely noticeable but on the plus side the motors and battery packs are light so it feels more like a ‘normal’ car on the road and it does help, if only in small way, with emissions and fuel consumption. They cost less than their bigger siblings too, but they do not offer an electric only mode. Maybe best suited to those who live in rural areas where public charging is currently less available.
Self-Charging Hybrids
It follows then that self-charging hybrid cars have larger electric motors and bigger, beefier battery packs. More reliance is placed on the electrification as in the Lexus NX (Pictured and also as available as a plug-in). These models can pull away on electric power alone and also periodically disengage the mated petrol engine when cruising. Big fuel economy gains are gained. Even on a big car it is possible that a driver could achieve sixty miles or more on a gallon of fuel and of course emissions are reduced overall. Electric only use may be limited (and may not be available on some models. Remember to check) but if you are only going a few miles the trip can probably be achieved on electric power alone. There’s no need to seek charging points either; just fill up with petrol as usual.
It’s worth noting though that these cars are designed with economy in mind. Drive is through automatic constantly variable transmissions which are not conducive to sporty driving. These cars shout efficiency, and the heavier battery packs do not encourage lively motoring. This won’t bother most motorists who use their cars for travel not sport. Energy regeneration occurs, hence self-charging) but if the batteries do go flat the car will perform as usual on fossil-fuel alone. Driving to suit the system will avoid this.
Plug-in Hybrids
These plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models have huge battery packs and one or more powerful electric motors, which come into play much more frequently than a self-charger. The best have long electric-only ranges, possibly up to sixty miles, so they’re great for emission-controlled areas, like emission zones in cities.
Big claims are made about fuel consumption. Numbers in the mid-two-hundred mile range are mooted, although these claims should be tempered by real world values. That said, great economy gains can be made with a PHEV. Business users (regionally dependent) may find them attractive and cost-efficient thanks to low CO² emissions as they’ll find with the Mercedes Benz E-Class 300e (pictured). Plug-in means what is says: You can’t just forget it and let the engine run on because economy will drop quicker than a golf ball in a lake. A consistent home or workplace charging regime is essential to get the best out of these cars.
Electric Cars
EV’s go the whole hog and dispense with an engine altogether. They have powerful electric motors, one or more, and massive battery packs. The benefits of an EV over a hybrid are well known; they’re quieter, often quicker off the blocks and are proving to be more reliable than their internal combustion counterparts. Electric motors only have one moving part, so there’s less to go wrong and servicing should be cheaper.
The range issue is fading away as the best electric cars can routinely cover up to 300 miles on a single charge; some, more. The BMW iX (pictured) claims 380 miles. That covers most needs. Yes, it is true that the best electric cars can be expensive but money can be saved in terms of fuel savings and running costs. Prices are beginning to come down too. It’s a slow process but it won’t be long before EV’s are in reach of most drivers.
Today it seems like the electric car and their stable-mates the Hybrids are the way forward. They are attracting a lot of interest with our clients, many of whom are making the switch to benefit from recent duty-free import allowances for EVs in their countries. This is becomes an enticing price when added to exporting a UK car VAT-free. Get in touch to find out more.
