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Is a hybrid car the same as an electric car?
My wife wants to buy an electric car, and I’ve sent her a few hybrid models I like, but she says they’re not electric cars. Is a hybrid car the same as an electric car?
Bellina Gaskey · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! Hybrid vehicles are not the same as an electric car. Electric vehicles are only powered by electricity. Hybrid vehicles are powered by gas and electricity.
There are companies looking at hybrids that use hydrogen fuel cells and electricity, but right now hybrids are gas and electricity powered.
A
hybrid
has an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) like a regular gas vehicle. The ICE is what powers the wheels in a regular car. Hybrids have a battery pack that powers the electric motor in addition to the ICE. How a hybrid uses these two sources differs between models, using methods like parallel engines, or having the ICE charge the battery pack, and more.
Electric vehicles have no ICE, using only electricity. They are plugged-in to charge the battery pack, and the battery pack powers the electric motor that turns the wheels.
Hybrids are gas and electricity powered for now, but maybe not forever.
Ford
has shown the world its plans to diversify hybrids with a concept car that runs on hydrogen fuel cells and electricity.No matter whether you drive a hybrid or fully electric car, you need affordable insurance.
Jerry
, the number one car insurance comparison app will help you find the best rates. You can save up to $887 a year with dozens of providers like GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, Nationwide and more.View full answer
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