With looming concerns about climate change and soaring gas prices, buying
an electric car is looking more attractive these days. With the microchip shortage
hopefully behind us, more drivers are thinking of making the switch over to electric. But determining which electric car is best for you will depend on a variety of factors. Recently, Consumer Reports
created a quiz to help drivers determine which EV was best for them. However, this quiz may be blocked behind a paywall in some areas. Lucky for you, we can provide you with all the basic information to determine the best electric car option for you. What are the different types of electric cars?
Currently, there are three main types of electric cars available on the market: hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric. Each presents their own pros and cons.
Hybrids, as their name would indicate, provide both an electric motor and gas engine. However, they can't be charged via plug-in. The electric motor is powered through a process called regenerative braking. While hybrids are much more fuel efficient than gas-only cars, they aren't as green as plug-in hybrids or fully electric cars.
Plug-in hybrids can be plugged in, allowing more fully-electric driving. With some variances on different models, a fully charged hybrid can travel around 20-40 miles on electrical power. While plug-in hybrids provide the best of both worlds, they tend to be the most expensive option.
Fully electric cars have no gas engine whatsoever. Newer models can provide anywhere from 200-400 miles of uninterrupted driving. In most cases, charging a fully electric car is cheaper than buying gas. The biggest downside to fully electric cars is limited accessibility to charging stations in some areas and challenges with long commutes.
Access to charging is key to finding the best electric car option
When determining the best electric car for your needs, the first place to start is by asking yourself if you will be able to charge at home. This will not be an issue for those who own a house with a garage, but if you live in an apartment it can be more challenging.
If your apartment complex provides a charging station that can be reserved, then you're in the clear. If not, then a fully electric car may not be for you. In that case, you'd be better off with a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid if you can charge at work.
Don't overlook the mileage in your daily commute
The next important metric you should consider is how many miles you drive in a single day. If you drive less than 200 miles per day and have access to overnight charging, then most fully electric models will work great for you. But if you exceed the 200 mile range, you may want to reconsider.
If you can manage to charge for one hour during the day, then long commutes on a fully electric car may be possible. If not, then you'd be better off with a plug-in hybrid or just a plain hybrid.
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