Is a Hybrid Worth It?
The Short Answer - Yes!
Hybrid Electric Vehicles will offer a significantly reduced cost to run the vehicle and will also lower emissions compared to traditional Internal Combustion (IC) vehicles.
A Hybrid typically uses both a gasoline-powered engine and a battery-powered electric motor to drive the vehicle. On the market today, you'll find 3 main categories of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV for short):Â
- Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEV)
- Full Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FHEV)
- Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)
Let's start off easy.
- IC or ICE - Internal Combustion Engine (a gas or diesel powered vehicle)
- HEVÂ - Hybrid Electric Vehicle (the general term that covers all Hybrids)
- PHEVÂ -Â Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
- EV or BEV - Electric Vehicle (a vehicle that runs on just electricity from a battery)



Mild and Full Hybrid Vehicles
Advantages:
- Similar to an IC vehicle but better fuel economy.
- Typically priced lower than EV and PHEV.
Disadvantages:
- Not "zero emission" because of its IC engine.
- Limited or no ability to drive on electricity only.
- Switching between gas and electric can be "jerky".
- Only a small reduction in maintenance costs over IC.
Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles
Advantages:
- You can drive "everyday" distances on just electric power.
- Dual drivetrains usually improve performance.
- Greater fuel economy when primary power is electricity.
- You can still make long-range trips using gasoline.
- Access to government incentives and HOV/carpool lanes.
Disadvantages:
- Still not completely "zero emission" because of its IC engine.
- Heavy and complex drivetrains are less fuel efficient over mild/full hybrids when not operating with electric-only.
- Switching between gas and electric can be "jerky".
- More expensive initial cost compared to IC.
- Reduced interior and trunk room because of the space needed for a gas motor and batteries.
