Hybrid vs. Electric Cars: Why Hybrids Make More Sense - Kelley Blue Book [View all]

Hybrid vs. Electric Cars: Why Hybrids Make More Sense

Kelley Blue Book | Russ Heaps | 10/19/2023

Quick Facts about Hybrids and Electric Vehicles

On average, hybrids cost thousands of dollars less than comparable electric vehicles.

The 5-year cost-to-own gap favors hybrids.

Manufacturers can construct 17 hybrid batteries with the materials necessary to make one electric vehicle battery.

Hybrid batteries don’t require an outside electric source to charge

Is the Electric Car Today’s Best Answer?

Many experts tell us that to make the earth safe for our grandchildren and polar bears, we must somehow eradicate, or at least slow, climate change. They further inform us that a critical target in achieving that goal is eliminating fossil fuels and, by association, the internal combustion engine (ICE). A major component in the solution to fossil fuels forwarded by these climate prophets is the fully electric vehicle. I won’t contest the basic premise for the current war on the internal combustion engine here. However, I am taking issue that, given today’s realities, EVs are the most sensible tool for reducing the use of fossil fuels while paring down harmful emissions. They aren’t. Rushing headlong into force-feeding EVs to the public invites short-term disaster.

Setting the Stage

Tesla sells more electric vehicles (EVs) than any other car company in the United States (65% of all 2022 EV sales). Despite Tesla drastically slashing prices of its new EVs this year, nationally, the overall average price of a new EV in September 2023 (the most recent data at this writing) was still $50,683. The average price of a mainstream (non-luxury) vehicle that same month was $44,626. That’s a difference of $6,057. If you want a more specific example, the Kia Niro (HEV) has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $26,840, while the Niro EV fetches $39,600. Yep, that’s a difference of $12,760.

Then, the question is: Are the arguments for buying a new EV rather than a hybrid compelling enough to justify spending thousands of dollars more for a fully electric vehicle? Ready for my answer? It’s a hard no. In the real world, most of us work with a budget and must restrict spending to the confines of that budget. Furthermore, a ride around the block on the reality bus makes it abundantly clear other reasons beyond price tarnish the EV spit shine, blinding many EV drum beaters. I’ll lay out some of them as you read on...

...Although an electric vehicle allows its owner to boast zero tailpipe emissions, which is true, an EV is far from environmentally neutral. Much goes into making an electric vehicle that could create a greater negative impact on the overall manufacturing than for vehicles with an internal combustion engine. It’s the precious metals, environmental destruction from mining, pollution from manufacturing, fuel required for transportation, and so forth in the construction of the electric car. Moreover, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that about 60% of electricity, like that for charging EVs, comes from fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases. Of that, almost 20% comes from coal plants...more including Kelley Blue Book’s 5-Year Cost-to-Own Projections
https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/hybrid-vs-electric-why-hybrids-make-more-sense/

If the electricity in your area is made from natural gas or coal, an EV - battery only OR Hybrid - isn't helping the environment. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" works though.