Looking ahead to 2023, which is better, buying an electric car or a plug-in hybrid? Here we detail the advantages and disadvantages of both options.
There are only a few days left in 2022 and, from next January 1, a Low Emission Zone will be mandatory in all municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants. This has many potential buyers contemplating the option of an electrified vehicle. But an electric car or a plug-in hybrid? Let’s see its advantages and disadvantages.
Although the sales figures are still a long way from traditional cars, electric cars are gaining ground and are beginning to be a standard option for many users. In any case, it should be clear that this type of mobility does not suit all drivers and their needs.
But, between the traditional car and the electric one, we have the option of the plug-in hybrid car, which combines the best of both. It is the closest thing to an electric car, but without giving up some advantages of a combustion vehicle, such as autonomy.
In both cases, they have the ZERO label of the DGT and the advantages that this entails. Let’s see in detail what should be bought in 2023, an electric car or a plug-in hybrid.
Advantages of the electric car
The electric car is moved exclusively by an electric motor powered by a battery, while the plug-in hybrid has a combustion engine, associated with another electric and a battery.
Among the advantages of the electric car, the main one is the absence of noise, as it lacks a combustion engine, as well as polluting gases emitted directly into the atmosphere.
The fact of having an electric motor saves a lot of money. The cost per kilometer is lower, compared to a diesel or gasoline vehicle, although this depends on how and where we charge the battery and if we have a Wallbox at home for charging.
Savings in maintenance costs are also important. As there is no combustion engine, there are no moving parts to wear out and, therefore, they do not require maintenance, oil change, etc. You only have to take into account the tires, brakes, suspensions and little else.
Regarding taxes, electric cars are exempt from paying registration tax and also benefit from the MOVES III Plan, with aid of up to 7,000 euros.
Disadvantages of the electric car
The electric car still has three main drawbacks: the first is the price, which are clearly more expensive than diesel or gasoline equivalents, even plug-in hybrids. However, with the MOVES III Plan the price can be reduced, as we have said before.
The second drawback is autonomy. Currently, the average autonomy of an electric car ranges between 300 and 350 kilometers in real conditions. On the market there are options that can travel more than 600 kilometers with a single charge, but we are talking about very expensive cars.
The third problem is the absence of an important infrastructure for charging the batteries, which prevents, in many cases, long trips. Although this problem, in theory, will disappear with the passage of time.
Advantages of the plug-in hybrid car
As we have said before, the plug-in hybrid car represents the best of two worlds, the traditional car and the electric one. It can work in 100% electric mode, without emitting CO2 from the exhaust, and also with a gasoline or diesel engine, which allows it to offer greater autonomy.
This is precisely one of its advantages, autonomy. By having two sources of energy, plug-in hybrids can reach autonomy of up to 1,000 kilometers in some cases. If it only works with the electric motor, on average, they enjoy a range of about 50 kilometers.
Another advantage is that you will never be stranded on the road due to a dead battery, since you can always refuel at any service station. So it is totally feasible to make a long trip, without any problem.
Thanks to the thermal engine, PHEV cars offer better road performance than electric ones, as well as strong acceleration capacity.
As long as they have a range of more than 40 kilometers, plug-in hybrid cars will have the DGT ZERO label. This means that, in those cities where traffic restrictions are applied when there is a lot of pollution, they will be able to continue driving.
Disadvantages of the plug-in hybrid car
Among the drawbacks, they are not as quiet as electric ones, only for as long as the battery lasts, and when the combustion engine works, it expels polluting gases through the exhaust.
They require more maintenance than an electric car, since the presence of a heat engine requires the corresponding maintenance. Even so, there are cost savings compared to traditional cars.
Conclution
Electric car or plug-in hybrid car, what are you interested in buying in 2023? Well, after seeing the advantages and disadvantages of both options, the answer is that it will depend on the use you want to give it.
If you are going to use the vehicle mainly in the city and to make short trips, the electric one is the most interesting option. But, if you plan to go out on the road with relative regularity and make medium or long journeys, we recommend the plug-in hybrid, since it has a greater range of autonomy.
It is important to underline that, when the Low Emission Zones are installed from January 1, 2023, both electric cars and plug-in hybrids will not suffer restrictions.
